This week we had the autumn equinox on 23 September, the day when there are 12 hours of daylight and 12 of night.
While the prospect of longer nights is sobering, at least it is the prelude to Michaelmas on 29 September. As well as being a Christian festival, it was the date in Medieval England that marked the end of harvest, while for me it is a big, brightly-coloured flag that it must be time for Michaelmas daisies. Hoorah!
So, on a well-timed trip up to my mum's last weekend, I took the opportunity of visiting the national collection of Michaelmas daisies at the Picton Garden in Colwall in the lee of the beautiful Malvern Hills.
You never know quite what to expect with a national collection, but this blew me away.
It only opens from August to 20 October, so all the planting is designed to be at its glorious best right now.
As well as Michalemas daisies (which they've been growing since 1906), there are a host of other choice autumn perennials.
But it is the Michaelmas daisies that shine...
...and with them come the insects that love them, including many bees and hoverflies but also autumn butterflies such as this Red Admiral.
The garden is quite bijou and the car park even more so, but if you are in the Midlands and fancy a treat,then grab your chance.This is the kind of garden I love - one that revels in being a beautiful garden but which gives nature a home at the same time.
And if you can't go, then just grow a Michaelmas daisy in a sunny spot and enjoy the life it brings.
If you want to drop by my RSPB wildlife gardening blog, it is updated every Friday, and I'd love to see you there - www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hfw
Such a humble little flower that just looks magnificent year after year. Thanks for the article. I saw some at Aldi today. 6 little plants in flower for £3.65
Ah, so beautiful. I shall visit, if I can find out how to get there. Malvern is not ALL that far from me. Thanks Adrian. I don't always comment but do enjoy your BLOGS