This weeks plants: (from left to right) Vitis coignetiae- as seen on the pergola in the formal gardens- amazing autumn colour. Clematis tangutica- lovely late flowering clematis. This one rambles over the west rill. Aster cordifolius 'Elegans'- the East rill has two great flowering seasons. Firstly with the Irises and then it really comes into its own with a late aster display. This little delicate one adds some softness to the border and makes a good cut flower. Aster amellus 'King George'- also on the East rill this aster is a bit more robust but has great colour. The asters are a also loved by the late flying insects. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides- possibly the best ground cover plant in the garden. It does spread but not in an out of control way like many other ground covers! There is another variety of Ceratostigma that grows taller and stands upright, Ceratostigma willmottianum, which is a great addition to a border.