Monday 29th September - the fatsia

 This is the most extraordinary plant. Most of the time it's just leaves, and then, in Autumn, this appears;

Some kind of bud... I'll keep you posted as to what happens next!

Actually, I do already know what will happen. But the first year this border was planted we had no idea. 

The border was designed and planted up by a gardening expert. All I said was that I wanted there to be something interesting to discover every month of the year. He was, to my mind, a bit high-handed about how he went about things, assuring me that it would be great and I'd love it. Well, I trusted his judgement and the first year was certainly a year of surprises as I only had a vague notion of what the plants were. 

The fatsia was only one of many delights that were in store!