St Peters RC Church Hamilton

October is named, famed for its foliage.

But do not be in too much of a hurry

To give up on late summer flowers completely,

For there is as yet, plenty of opportunity

To enjoy some outstanding floral beauty.

Which species then are notable for late garden colour?

Well, two in particular hurry to my mind.

In any autumn garden really notable

You will find the range of sedum,

Plus the amazing autumn aster supreme in colour.

Both flower on well into November

Unless of course it is heavily frosty.

Sedum now called ‘Stonecrop’ or rather more of a mouthful,

‘Hylotelephium spectabile’ is a herbaceous must!

Starting to flower in August through to the frost,

Its faded flowers can be kept for winter interest.

Full hardy, this species enjoys full sun and free draining soil,

Taking very little toil to rear this beauty with variety.

‘Autumn Joy’ starts off in light green becoming deep pink later.

‘Brilliant’ and ‘Carl’ boast raspberry pink blooms,

Whilst ‘Iceberg’ unsurprisingly white, has dominant black foliage.

‘Matrona’ hosts the softest pink flowers.

Hours and hours of delight, sedums are bright and cheerful,

Looking even more beautiful when set against blue penstemon.

Sedum in the garden is an indispensable part of autumn.

The warmth and vigour of its colour, ever an unassuming floral beauty

In their simplicity of bunched together tiny blooms,

Filling the gaps effortlessly between more showy plants.

Not only are they perfect partners, never domineering,

Sedum provide a vital source of nectar for pollinators,

And not only does this species carry spring foliage which is attractive,

Pretty flowers in late summer through to winter,

This is superseded by picturesque seedheads

Which amazingly, in their delicacy, will withstand

Any amount of colder weather, even a deep freeze!

What a truly amazing perennial.

A few others work harder to earn the title

Of being a plant focus deserving the title ‘Floral Beauty’.

Lord, You are amazing! Month by month You provide floral beauty, even against the odds of colder, even frosty weather. Thank You for the uplift flowers provide. No wonder they are gifted for a whole variety of special occasions. Floral beauty shows us Your hand at work. Please let those who do not yet know You, come to believe when they see beauty. This benefit must have come from somewhere! Amen.