It was a dry bright and sunny morning as we arrived at RHS Harlow Carr on the outskirts of Harrogate. I like to visit the gardens at least once a month but due to a busy August this was our first visit since the end of July. I popped into Betty’s for a takeaway coffee and biscuit and after passing through the reception area continued outside and down the slope, the heather bed on our left was still looking bright and vibrant, I always enjoy the view from the bottom of the stone steps looking over towards the summer house and stream, the trunks of the Birch, Acer and Maple trees were looking a lovely silvery white colour which contrasts nicely with the autumn colours of the surrounding woodland. The rockery and pond opposite the restaurant looked a picture, with water lilies surrounded by Ferns, Hosta’s, Heathers, and miniature trees lining the water’s edge. Continuing past the restaurant the borders were full of lots of autumnal colour with flowering Roses, Dalias, lilac-coloured Italian Asters, Red Stonecrop, Burning Bushes with bronzed glowing leaves, and Yellow Coneflowers, to name just a few. Passing the teaching gardens on our left we followed the path towards the Edwardian sunken garden, looking over to QM lake on our right, much of the green weed that was on the water surface when we last visited had disappeared though half was still covered in a green blanket weed. A large red JCB type digger was parked up in front of the sunken garden and the area fenced off with a notice saying that the area in front of the garden was being re designed, so that will be something to look forward to on our next visit. Walking down the slope to the QM lake the wildflower beds on the left were still full of flowering Cosmos and Amoena’s the ‘Farewell to Spring flowers looking particularly attractive with their rose red and pink florets. The views from the bridge looking across to the old oak tree on the left is always worth a look. After crossing the bridge we followed the Streamside Trail leading to the Old Bath House, there was a lot more water flowing down the stream than on our previous visit in July, the streamside planting was still lush and colourful, lots of ferns and Hosta’s, a Burning Bush tree (euonymus alatus) on the left behind the white metal bench was a beautiful autumnal rusty red colour, flowering Stonecrop on the banks of the stream added additional colour. Work was continuing close to one of the recently rebuilt stone bridges across the stream where the pathway is being re aligned closer to the stream and rock garden on the far side, it will look good when complete. The Autumnal colours were certainly coming to the fore with the Beach and Maple trees on the banks of the stream turning a bright yellow/golden colour. Every now and then you got a glimpse through the trees of the attractive formal borders on the other side of the stream. The Beach tree on the small island in front of the old Bath House was looking a picture with its leaves turning a beautiful deep red colour, surrounded by ferns and clumps of lilac coloured Autumn flowering Crocus. We stopped for a very pleasant brunch at Bettys tea rooms, sat outside but under the shade of a parasol as it felt as though we might be getting a spot of rain. The wasps which pestered us on our last visit were not as much of a problem this time, though occasionally one or two got a little too inquisitive. Suitably refreshed we continued our walk on the opposite side of the stream leading up the slope to the Rock Garden, again the Acers and Maple trees were looking a picture as their foliage took on a real autumnal hue. Some red Crimson Flag lilies looked beautiful set amongst the ferns, some other visitors were sat enjoying a picnic beside the rock pools, we continued up the slope and along the sun border towards the garden centre, the recently redeveloped Main Borders are an impressive sight in Autumn, the frothy flower stems of ornamental grasses float above generous drifts of prairie-style perennials. The blue Aconitum (monkshood) are looking bright and vibrant as are the Arendsii, which contrast nicely with the warmer tones of Rudbeckia, Helenium and the grasses. One of these days I am going to sit on one of the many benches along this top border and just admire the landscape looking across the gardens.