Herbaceous borders have a long and graceful decline in autumn, and their fall colours are by no means to be despised. Equally, there is merit in the frosted beauty of tall seedheads such as Eryngium, but, in time, most will dampen down into a slowly collapsing mess of brown tissue. At that point, step in and apply the secateurs. Cut each plant neatly down to the ground just above the crown and remove the debris. Most of this can be composted, ideally by chopping it into short pieces, as it can be woody. It can be used for mulching next year.
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A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in yearsThe ten bedroom property features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa complex and stables, and it was restored by the same architect who worked on Downing Street.
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The last miracle of St Boswell? How a Scottish potato field became the world's least-likely producer of sparkling wineThe country has produced its first ‘champagne’ after its producers, Lorna and Trevor Jackson, planted 1,000 vines nine years ago on their farm in St Boswells.
