We caught up with Colin to find out some of his favourite things about Autumn in the garden. Colin Stirling has been a trustee with Trellis for over 15 years, our longest serving Director. He has a wealth of horticulture knowledge and training including a National Diploma in Horticulture (with Honours). Colin is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.
He also plays an active role in many other worthy causes: as Director of Wood Recyclability, Chairman of Pitcaple Environmental Project and a consultant to Inverurie Community Energy. With such a busy life, how does he possibly have time for his own garden?!
What is your…
Favourite autumn plant? Autumn is such a wonderful time to bask in the vibrant colours of so many species that change with the seasons. My favourites are Sedum spectablis and the Virginia creeper as they really come into their own at this time of year.
Best autumn gardening tip? If you have a pond, I would recommend removing excessive amounts of water plant foliage from your pond before it dies and sinks to the bottom. The plant and wildlife will thank you for it!
Favourite area of your garden in autumn? At this time of year there are lots of little beauties that just sing with colour but my favourite area is my heather border.
Tell us about your...
Favourite time of day in the garden? Most definitely my favourite time is in the evening light when colours are highlighted and we get some spectacular skies which just make it even more entrancing.
Least favourite task in the garden? I’m sure I’m not alone here but turning and emptying the compost bin is definitely not my favourite thing to do. But it’s another task that reaps you lots of rewards.
And finally...
Who is your gardening mentor? Well I’ve been fortunate to work and learn from so many exceptionally knowledgeable horticulturalists but to be honest my wife is my gardening mentor – really I just do as I am told!
What has gardening meant to you during the pandemic? I think for so many people during the past 18 months, the garden has been a real solace. It’s been a space to help deal with and reduce my feelings of isolation, keeping me active. There’s always something to be done in a garden and it really does absorb all your attention.
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Garden Bench Interview with: Colin Stirling
Colin Stirling has been a trustee with Trellis for over 15 years, our longest serving Director. He has a wealth of horticulture knowledge and training including a National Diploma in Horticulture (with Honours). Colin is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture. He also plays an active role in many other worthy causes: as Director of Wood Recyclability, Chairman of Pitcaple Environmental Project and a consultant to Inverurie Community Energy. With such a busy life, how does he possibly have time for his own garden?! We caught up with Colin to find out some of his favourite things about Autumn in the garden.
What is your…
- Favourite autumn plant? Autumn is such a wonderful time to bask in the vibrant colours of so many species that change with the seasons. My favourites are Sedum spectablis and the Virginia creeper as they really come into their own at this time of year.
- Best autumn gardening tip? If you have a pond, I would recommend removing excessive amounts of water plant foliage from your pond before it dies and sinks to the bottom. The plant and wildlife will thank you for it!
- Favourite area of your garden in autumn? At this time of year there are lots of little beauties that just sing with colour but my favourite area is my heather border.
Tell us about your...
- Favourite time of day in the garden? Most definitely my favourite time is in the evening light when colours are highlighted and we get some spectacular skies which just make it even more entrancing.
- Least favourite task in the garden? I’m sure I’m not alone here but turning and emptying the compost bin is definitely not my favourite thing to do. But it’s another task that reaps you lots of rewards.
- Who is your gardening mentor? Well I’ve been fortunate to work and learn from so many exceptionally knowledgeable horticulturalists but to be honest my wife is my gardening mentor – really I just do as I am told!
- What has gardening meant to you during the pandemic? I think for so many people during the past 18 months, the garden has been a real solace. It’s been a space to help deal with and reduce my feelings of isolation, keeping me active. There’s always something to be done in a garden and it really does absorb all your attention.