Last year was unique, weather wise. I don’t think any of us could have foreseen the dry spring leading into a dry summer with UK temperatures hitting new records. Our gardens gasped a sigh of relief when rain finally came and then didn’t stop. Combined with a warmer than average autumn meant many plants that were forced into leaf fall early by the summer as a protective measure were then confused by the weather and did their best to provide a spring show of flowers in autumn. This was particularly common in rhododendrons and azaleas. Combined with late season flowers that just continued into December, it made for an unusual...