Future Blooms: Autumn Gardening Preparing for a Beautiful 2026 Flower Garden.
- Naomi Odiwe
- Sep 10, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 4, 2025
In my garden preparing for this autumn:
I spent September planting additional colour in my garden in the form of bulbs for the winter and spring months. I love the Farmer Gracy website, and many of their images have been inspirational for both my garden and my art. The short movie below shows pink & orange tulips and white, grey, lilac & purple mixed crocus bulbs that I have planted in my back garden beds and in my front garden pots, ready for winter and next year's growing season. The Farmer Gracy website address is featured in the movie below too.
In my garden preparing for 2026: Rosehips
Furthermore, at the back of my garden I am allocating the roses which grow over and hide my shed on a lower level - quite conveniently - for rosehip production. I plan to harvest these next year to make rosehip jelly. I have seen online that there are recipes available that enable the making of rosehip jelly without pectin, so I will be exploring this further and will post information on this in a future blog post.
In my garden preparing for 2026: Blackberries
I have also now cultivated a blackberry patch in the same area as my rosehip bushes. Blackberries are said to be rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins (like C and K), and minerals such as manganese and potassium, offering numerous health benefits. They are much healthier than shop bought blackberries as they are not treated with pesticides. They also reputedly support heart and brain health by reducing inflammation and protecting against cell damage, while their fiber aids digestion and helps manage blood sugar. Blackberries also contribute to bone strength and may play a role in fighting cancer so as a cancer sufferer I decided that they were a must for my garden.
In my garden preparing for 2026: Pruning back
Autumn gardening preparing for 2026. Another task this month was to cut back my garden ready for the winter. The roses have been dead-headed and any leaves with black spot removed. The lavender flower sprigs have been cut back and my giant agapantha flower stems have been removed as most of the flowers have now died off. I have saved the agapantha flower heads and am drying them out so that I can propagate new agapantha plants next spring. With my lavenders I have cut them down as recommended by The Bee Friendly Trust in line with the image below as bees have loved my lavender this year and I want as many back in my garden next spring as possible. For more bee friendly information go to https://beefriendlytrust.org
In my garden preparing for 2026: Other Planting Plans
My next autumn garden task is to plant some ornamental fruit trees on the sunniest side of my garden, right near the back of my house so I can keep an eye on them for pests and also pick them at my ease. In my post cancer quest for a healthier, more natural way of eating, adding an organic fruit harvest would be so rewarding and also healthier (and cheaper) than shop bought fruit.
In my garden preparing for 2026: The Fruit Lineup
I’m planning to grow apples, plums, pears, figs and blueberries and I have sourced some self fertilising varieties shown below. The ideal planting window for most of the fruit trees & bushes listed stretches from November to March, with the exception of the figs that need to be planted in the spring, so I can take a bit of time to do this. I also need to add these plants to my garden plan that is looking quite full! http://ornamentaltrees.co.uk have a great selection so check out their website if you too are interested in growing your own fruit.
Must not forget herbs too: Preparing for 2026
I have just realised that herbs do not yet feature greatly in my plans and I want to remedy this. My plan at the moment is to add these in large pots and place them around the garden to prevent them becoming leggy and pervasive. I already have an established rosemary bush and two bay trees in pots either side of my front door so I want to add pots for spearmint (I prefer the flavour of this to peppermint), fennel & wild garlic. I may also try growing coriander as this is another flavour I love but this task can wait for the spring so I will report back on this in a future blog.
An Art Story for this Autumn:
My Experience of a Botanical Painting Class
Last autumn, I had the opportunity to join a botanical painting class taught by the exceptionally talented botanical artist, Penny Sanderson (a link to her website is provided below). Her expertise and passion for botanical art truly inspired me and it is thanks to Penny that I changed my paper type from cold pressed to hot pressed - now my favouriote paper to paint on. One of the topics we explored was a collection of rosehips cut from her own garden, which sparked my enthusiasm to cultivate my own. Following Penny's tuition, I created a large watercolour painting filled with intricate details, a testament to her exceptional teaching skills and the vibrant beauty of nature. I am excited to share the video below that showcases the creation of this painting. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed the process of painting it, thanks to Penny's inspiring influence!
You can see more of Penny's art along with her wonderful range of home decor products, wall murals & greetings cards at http://www.pennysandersonart.com.
In Conclusion
As I continue on my art and gardening adventure, I find myself deeply immersed in the vibrant interplay between creativity and nature. Each day presents a new opportunity to explore the depths of my artistic expression while simultaneously nurturing the plants that provide inspiration and tranquility. I hope that my garden will become a living canvas where the colours of blooming flowers, the textures of leaves, and the shapes of various plants influence my artistic endeavors.
As I tend to my garden, I often reflect on how each plant has its own story to tell, much like the subjects I choose to paint or draw. In my mind the delicate petals of my roses evoke feelings of romance and beauty, while the fragrance, delicacy and vigorous growth of my jasmins, clematis and wisteria inspire a sense of strength and resilience helping me in my health struggles. I find that my time spent in my garden not only allows me to cultivate a variety of flora but also serves as a profound source of inspiration for my artwork and gives me a sense of calm and serenity.
The process of planning and planting parallels my approach to creating art and my history in commercial design, where composition, balance, and colour all played crucial roles.
In addition to the visual aspects, gardening also engages my senses in ways that enhance my life. I find that when I immerse myself in this environment, my mind opens up to new ideas and concepts, allowing me to relax and feel free.
As I travel on this dual journey of art and gardening, I am continually reminded that just as a garden takes time to flourish, so too does an artist's skill and vision evolve over time. Embracing this journey, I look forward to the many discoveries that await me as I blend my passions to create a unique expression of my experiences in both realms.
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Thank you for reading.
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