The trees cercis, cerciphyllum and disanthus, though similar in appearance, are not related. Cercis is the botanical name, derived from the old Greek name kerkis for the same tree, as it is native to south-eastern Europe. The tree species Cercidiphyllum japonicum is native to Japan, where it is called katsura. The first part of its botanical name, cercidiphyllum, means having leaves like cercis.

The third tree, Disanthus cercidifolius, has the second part of the name referring to “leaves like cercis”. The botanists were struck by the similarity of the foliage when inventing the botanical names. While these trees are all distantly related, being flowering plants, they are not in the same families. Cercis is in the pea family. Disanthus is part of the witch hazel family and cercidiphyllum has its own family.

Where the three genera come together is in providing excellent autumn colour. Each kind is outstanding, with its own charm. Cercis is probably the best-known of them, and it is known as redbud in North America, where some kinds are native, or Judas tree, Cercis siliquastrum, for the kind native to south-east Europe, reputedly the tree from which Judas hanged himself.

Whatever about that, this is a very handsome, small, rounded, garden tree. Being in the pea family, it produces purple-pink pea-type flowers in clusters along bare branches, and even on the trunk and major limbs sometimes, in May, just before the bronze new leaves appear. These leaves open to make the familiar heart-shape and turn to lovely shades of yellow in autumn.

There are a few North American species, but the only one likely to be seen here is Cercis canadenis, the eastern redbud, and even then only as the purple-leaved form called ‘Forest Pansy’, nothing to do with pansy, but it is a catchy name. The dark purple foliage is very decorative all summer and turns to remarkable shades of wine-purple and red with touches of orange and deep yellow.

It is mainly grown for its foliage, as the flowering is not reliable. Its foliage is easily damaged by harsh winds and it should be planted in a good, sheltered spot where its foliage will be protected and last longer in autumn.

The katsura tree or cercidiphyllum is a much bigger tree, capable of growing to 15m. It is usually seen smaller than that, but those are mostly relatively young trees. It is much bigger as a mature tree and is really for gardens with plenty of space.

Though of similar shape, the leaves are generally a bit smaller and more rounded. The conical shape of the tree is very decorative all summer and it really stands out in autumn, when the leaves turn to remarkable shades of yellow, orange and red. The leaves emit a scent of caramel or burnt sugar in their last days on the tree and for a short time after they fall, but a warm, calm day is needed to release the scent.

Disanthus is the least common of the trio and is rarely seen for sale. Native to Japan and China, it forms a large bush, much branched with lots of stems at soil level. Its rounded heart-shape leaves have a waxy coating that renders them slightly blue green, and this coating helps to preserve the leaves when they colour in autumn. The colouring is spectacular in shades of crimson red, orange, purple and yellow at the inside of the bush.

This tree needs acidic soil to grow properly and the cercis and katsura, while they can grow in neutral to slightly limy soil, show better colouring in fertile, well-drained acidic soil too. CL

Brown rot of apples

It appears that brown disease of apples is quite widespread this autumn and more common than usual. The rot can affect most kinds of apple but can be very bad on the softer, early sorts and on the cooking variety ‘Bramley’s Seedling’. Typically, the rot starts from a point of infection, usually damage done by a bird or by wind-rubbing. But there may be no visible damage that allows rotting to begin.

The rot progresses rapidly, turning the affected part brown and eventually the whole apple. Rings of white spore bodies are a common feature. A big factor is damp weather, and there has been a lot of showery weather this year. Plums were also badly affected earlier. Make sure to pick up affected apples, and any still on the tree, and bury them, as they are a source of infection for next year.

Flowers

Now is the time for planting spring bulbs, and these should be planted as soon as possible to get them off to a good start, rooting well before winter. Feeding of pots or hanging baskets is no longer worthwhile. Remove plants that have gone over. Divide perennials and plant new ones.

Fruit, vegetables and herbs

Spring cabbage plants must be planted without delay. Prune summer raspberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries. Remove old vegetables as soon as they as finished and do not allow weeds to build up. Store potatoes and carrots now. Parsnips and turnips can be wintered outdoors.

Lawn

Use lawn mosskiller now because moss will continue to grow during the winter months in any mild spell. Mow as long as the soil is not soggy and use an autumn lawn fertiliser soon, before it gets too wet. Sow a new lawn, or over-sow bare or worn patches in an existing lawn with some lawn seed.

Trees, shrubs and roses

Prune rambler roses and climbers that have finished flowering, tying in new shoots. Plant evergreens of all kinds, just a little ahead of the main season for planting deciduous trees. Young trees should be checked for secure staking. Control weeds in rose beds and shrub borders.

Greenhouse and house plants

Greenhouse tomatoes may still ripen this month if they are showing some colour. Ripen them indoors on a tray or use them in cooking. Stop feeding and water only plants that are still in active growth, such as cyclamen, and be careful not to over-water them. Tidy the greenhouse.