ALTHOUGH the garden is starting its slow collapse into autumn there are still small pockets of new life that take us by surprise on their discovery.

Clearing away mildewed leaves of pulmonaria and hacking back a clump of overgrown geum a few days ago revealed a mass of pink flowers growing happily in the dry shade under these plants.

They are Cyclamen hederifolium that thrives in these conditions and is thus ideal for planting under hedges or evergreen trees.

Mine, as well as coping with larger perennials, also have to contend with a mature holly tree that sucks all the moisture from the soil.

The pink cyclamen have been growing in the garden for several years and have formed a sizable clump. The first signs of growth, should one spot them, are small hoops of brown fleshy stems appearing on the surface of the soil. These gradually extend and straighten to reveal a small pointed flowerbud at the tip of each shoot.

Once they reach 10-15cm/4-6ins high, the flowers open at close intervals so there is a mass of long-lasting colour from as early as August through to October, sometimes with occasional blooms continuing to appear well into winter.

Flower colour varies from pale pink through to magenta with some white-flowered forms too.

These look especially good among leaf litter in shade, glowing in their brown surroundings. As the flowers die and go to seed the stems curl into ringlets and hug the ground waiting for their cargo to ripen and fall.

The foliage of Cyclamen hederifolium is produced after the first flush of flowers and is very attractive with ivy leaf-shaped dark green leaves marbled with silver and grey.

There is a great variation in pattern from plant to plant giving a lovely effect as the foliage matures over the winter to form a dense covering that will last until late spring or early summer before dying back.

Cyclamen hederifolium is a very tolerant, easy-to-grow plant that will tolerate conditions from moist leafy cool soil through to very dry conditions.

However, whatever the soil, it does best in light to deep shade where the flowers will be more abundant and longer lasting than when they are grown in sun.

Dry tubers should be planted about 5cm/2ins deep and 30cm/12ins apart from late summer to early autumn with the domed, smooth side down as shoots and roots grown around the rim of the upper surface.

Alternatively pot-grown specimens in flower can be bought from nurseries and market stalls just now.

They are more expensive than dry tubers but are a good choice if a specific colour is wanted.

Weekend catch-up

SEPTEMBER is a good month for moving deciduous trees and shrubs that are in the wrong place or that have outgrown their patch.

The soil is warm and moist and the plant has stopped growing.

Allow plenty of time for the task and get someone to help if the specimen is large or bushy.

It is always risky moving a plant such as a tree or shrub, especially if it has been in the ground a long time. However, the chances of survival can be increased by choosing a time when the soil is moist and by taking as big a root ball as possible.

Firstly prepare the new planting hole, the size will have to be estimated at first. Then cut around the plant with a spade, gradually pushing deeper into the soil and easing it underneath.

Some roots will be damaged but as long as there is a good solid system left, the plant should be alright.

Lift it out into a wheelbarrow or on to a strong polythene sheet and cover the exposed roots with damp hessian or old cloths to keep them moist. Check the new planting hole is large enough for the root ball to sit comfortably and deep enough for the plant to be at the same depth as before and ease it in.

Backfill with soil, firming it in every so often, then water well.

Bear in mind that newly replanted specimens may need watering for up to a year after planting because it can take this long for the roots to re-establish. Plants on windy sites might also need to be staked for the first couple of years.

Gardening news

THERE will be two talks on planning the garden for spring in the Plant Centre Tea Shop at Castle Howard given by plant centre manager John Foxton.

Each talk is free and will begin at 2.30pm on Thursday September 28 and Tuesday October 3. There will also be plenty of opportunity to choose from the numerous spring bulbs on sale in the plant centre including narcissi, tulips, hyacinths, allium and aconite.

There will also be a series of gardening talks at the Walled Garden, Scampston Hall near Malton by head gardener Tim Marshall and garden lecturer Tom Moore.

The first is titled Propagation on Thursday September 28 followed by Putting Your Garden To Bed on Thursday October 5 and Pruning on Thursday October 19.

For more details, contact the Administrator, The Walled Garden, Scampston Hall, Malton, YO17 8NG, telephone number 01944 759111, email info@scampston. co. uk

Open gardens

Wednesday.

In aid of the British Red Cross.

Helmsley Walled Garden, Helmsley. Use Cleveland Way long-stay car park and take the signed footpath from there. A fiveacre garden restoration project with an orchard with a collection of 54 Yorkshire apple varieties, orchid house, outdoor vineyard with 34 Victorian vines, shrubs, trees, perennials and climbers including more than 300 clematis. There is also a nursery, caf, ethical shop and craft workshop. Open 2-5pm. Admission £3.50.

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme.

Hunmanby Grange, Wold Newton. Located 12.5 miles south east of Scarborough on the road between Burton Fleming and Fordon. A three-acre garden created from an exposed field on top of the Yorkshire Wolds. Fences and hedges now provide shelter for a series of gardens planted for year-round colour with seasonal highlights.Open 1-5pm. Admission £2.50. More details at www. hunmanbygrange. co. uk

TV and radio

Sunday.

9am, Radio Leeds. Tim Crowther with Joe Maiden.

2pm, R4, Gardeners' Question Time. A postbag edition with Chris Beardshaw, Matthew Biggs, Bob Flowerdew and chairman Peter Gibbs. The gardening weather forecast is at 2.25pm.

Friday.

8.30pm, BBC2, Gardeners' World. Monty is picking home grown fruit and vegetables while Carol collects seeds to plant for next year.

Saturday.

8am, Radio York, Gardening Phone-in. With Nigel Harrison. Telephone number 0845 300 3000.