A selection of snowdrops in flower, G.reginae-olgae, G.transcaucasicus and G.bursanus, mostly the latter including G.bursanus ‘Alpha Teutonic Helmet’. #fairviewyearround

Despite her faults Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ continues to provide colour and structure to the garden. #fairviewyearround

Isodon longitubus, a useful, late-flowering perennial from SE China and Japan. Growing here in shade in a moisture-retentive, woodland soil. #fairviewyearround

The autumn tints in the surrounding woodland are nearly at an end but Parrotia persica in the garden is at its best. #fairviewyearround

Spiranthes × bightensis 'Chadds Ford' also listed as Spiranthes odorata 'Chadd's Ford' and
Spiranthes cernua var. odorata 'Chadd's Ford' is giving a useful late show, whatever its accepted name. #fairviewyearround

Front cover of the European Butterfly Red List, showing Polyommatus humedasae. The report can be downloaded at https://www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?name=red-list-butterflies-2025

The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...

Empodium elongatum, one of several interesting bulbs obtained via the bulb exchange of the Southern African Bulb Group. #fairviewyearround

The borders at Ripon Walled Garden are planted to provide interest long after the flowers have faded. This is one part of our classroom for Ripon Evolve students studying practical horticulture at the Walled Garden. Real projects, hard work, professional standards.

A dank start to the day brightened up by some autumn tints. #fairviewyearround

A rather nice Nerine undulata ‘Alba’ in the alpine house. #fairviewyearround

I do like the autumn-flowering Saxifraga fortunei forms. This is ‘Autumn Tribute’ from Aberconwy Nursery, a dwarf form with pink flowers. Like all of this species, whilst hardy, the flowers and leaves are not and will turn black with the first hard frost. #fairviewyearround

Galanthus bursanus ‘Alpha Teutonic Helmet’ in the alpine house. #fairviewyearround

Haemanthus albiflos from a seed collected in South Africa in 2018, sown 15/08/18. #fairviewyearround

Cyclamen cyprium in the alpine house. #fairviewyearround

Symphyotrichum ericoides var. prostratum ‘Snow Flurry’, a useful, low-growing ‘aster’ for the rock garden or to spill over a wall. #fairviewyearround

Dahlia ‘American Dawn’ still putting on a show. #fairviewyearround

Lunaria annua ‘Corfu Blue’ seed heads in the woodland borders. #fairviewyearround

The fabulous autumnal tints of Euphorbia villosa. A species that grows well on our heavy soil. #fairviewyearround

The fluffy seed heads of the wood asters look fabulous at this time of year. 1. Eurybia x herveyi 2. E.divaricata, E.x herveyi and E.schreberi. #fairviewyearround

The late-flowering Salvia ‘Phyllis’ Fancy’, a lovely cross between S.leucantha and S.chiapensis. #fairviewyearround

Lovely sunset this evening. #fairviewyearround

Nerine sarniensis ‘Alresford’, N.sarniensis ‘Hanley Castle’ and N.undulata in the greenhouse. #fairviewyearround

Gentiana sino-ornata ‘Gorau Glas’ still going strong in a trough. #fairviewyearround

Nerine undulata in the alpine house. #fairviewyearround

Getting dark at 6.00pm, misty and a dank chill in the air, must be autumn. Just as well the leaves are cheery. #fairviewyearround

A little sun before the rain saw the autumn snowdrops open. Galanthus reginae-olgae ‘Tessera’ should have 4 outer and 4 inner tepals, but only a few flowers are showing this characteristic. #fairviewyearround

Symphyotrichum ‘Primrose Path’, another delightful ‘aster’ that seems to be trouble-free and tolerant of a range of conditions. #fairviewyearround

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala was badly damaged by storms last year, but has grown back well after some severe pruning. #fairviewyearround

Colletia hystrix ‘Rosea’, a ridiculously spikey plant, beautiful and sweetly scented, just don’t get too close. #fairviewyearround

The first flowers on winter jasmine, Jasminum nudiflorum. #fairviewyearround