Autumn’s glory is nearly upon us, arriving rapidly after our recent cool spell. I am always surprised by the old buckeye trees and a few hybrid maples that catch the eye amid the still-predominant greens of the garden.
The late-summer herbaceous plants have reached towering heights this month and will soon make way for the myriad of colors in the borders before the frost arrives.
I’ve heard many people lament this growing year, and I don’t quite understand why. Roses were incredible, we were spared the harsh cold of last fall, the spring-flowering trees and shrubs were magnificent, and this year’s hardy hydrangea display throughout the North Shore here in northern Illinois seems unparalleled. Yes, rainfall was unpredictable, but we avoided a consistently hot and dry summer. There were alternating periods of cool and warm, wet and dry—a peculiar climate for gardening, but overall, we are succeeding more often than not.
My biggest concern for the well-being of our gardens in the coming years is whether we will have sufficient periods of below-freezing temperatures to naturally help control the various fungi, insects, and invasive species that act as pathogens in our gardens.
We continue to explore the incredible diversity of native plant genera and species to support the home garden environment for beneficial insects and wildlife. This week has brought a kaleidoscope of butterflies, including Monarchs and two species of Swallowtails. I am always pleased and proud that our garden serves as a safe haven and feeding stop for both migrating and resident insects and birds.
We are now in our second year of practicing organic gardening in our Lake Forest home, and the results are remarkable. Beneficial insects abound, including praying mantises and dragonflies. Frogs thrive in the fountains, and toads and snakes frequently surprise us during weeding.
This year saw a significant increase in the rabbit population across the North Shore, likely due to milder winter temperatures and a reduction of natural predators. We were delighted when a healthy, radiant red fox visited our garden for a couple of weeks this summer, helping to reduce the rabbit and chipmunk population.
In closing, I hope you find time to reflect on the gifts your garden has offered this past year and that it inspires you to spend as much time as possible outdoors this autumn, preparing for growth and improvement in the year to come.
Stay healthy and happy, and remember to take time to stop and smell the roses—and the snake root, the gardenia, and, of course, the Sweet Autumn Clematis.
Sincerely,
Craig Bergmann and Company
