Happy flowers abound

Peter Dowdall says the chrysanthemum not only brightens up dark days, but has a spiritual aspect too.

It can be a strange time of year in the garden — a period of transition with the winter interest plants not yet taking centre stage, but the summer varieties long since gone.

A great way to inject colour into the garden over the next few months is by introducing some Chrysanthemums. What we call ‘pot mums’ and know as attractive plants for the autumn/winter garden, have for centuries been connected with spiritualism. The first of November, All Saint’s Day is a traditional day here to remember the dead and to visit family graves — indeed this custom is upheld in many countries across Europe.