... just a little. We pulled out all the nasturtiums yesterday and dh chopped back a lot of the oregano. I deadheaded all the gladioli (except one still with some blooms) and dh pulled all the poppies - if they self seed next year then that's ok but we're not too bothered. I also cut back the lavender, moved some pots to their winter position and watered everything - the pots really did suffer whilst we were away. The books say to lift the glads and store them over winter but I'm going to take a chance, they're in a south facing sheltered spot and probably have more chance of survival than if I took them out. There is still a lot to do: rake and mow the lawns, deadhead the roses, pull the remaining poppies and geraniums in the boarder and plant up the bulbs for spring in their place. Things are going to look a mess whilst the gladioli and other bulbs die down but I'm not going to cut them. I didn't cut back the daffs last year and they dissapeared eventually. I'm hoping it means they'll return in good shape in the spring. The dogwood we bought early in the year has flourished and has lots of leaves and lovely red stalks - I think what should happen is that the leaves fall off leaving a gorgeous flaming bare bush (which we then cut right back at the end of January). I must read up on whether I'm supposed to cut back the honeysuckle - I would think not, its in its first year and has grown a lot - its just recently produced a couple of white flowers, very few, but by next year (hopefully it will survive the winter winds) it might actually 'meet up' and join with the clematis which is coming from the other direction. That is an exciting thought! So, for autumn, what have we got to look forward to? The Dogwood, the leaves on the blossom tree turning red (not sure but I think it should), the virburnum coming into flower and the autumn bulbs - autumn crocus is looking lovely already (though I can take no credit for that, it was there before) and cyclamen should be coming soon. Still, lots of work to do and the clocks go back on 25th October, in three weeks, so better get to it.