10th May 2026

Welcome,

In the Vegetable Garden Potatoes have been earthed up and we are picking Rhubarb, Spinach, Asparagus  and Chard.

The Peas and Climbing Beans have been put onto their supports . We use perforated hoses around the frames to get the water directly onto their roots.

The Runner Beans have been sown but are still in the Greenhouse along with the Cucurbita and Sweet Corn.

The Globe Artichokes at the back of the garden are almost ready to pick.

Cistus Monspeliensis is the name of the low growing shrub along the path near the Greenhouse. This is an evergreen plant which we replenish from cuttings taken after flowering.

The Daffodils are now left to die back but sadly the large Paulownia, in the Daffodil area, is struggling. This is also known as the Foxglove tree and last year was covered with wonderful pale lilac blooms. It produced masses of seeds and this should have been a warning as there are very few leaves on it this year. With this in mind we planted another Paulownia to its right which looks as if it will flower this year.

The white flowering shrub on the path beside the stream is Choisya and it has a wonderful scent.

The yellow rose on the front of the Hall is one of the earliest roses-R. Banksiae Lutea and the plant with multicoloured leaves growing on its right is an Actinidia.

Bamboo Canes in the beds on the West Lawn mark where Dhalia and Canna should be appearing but so far, the cold has kept them underground.

In the Orchard (by the Coffee Shop) look for the Tamarisk with its large plumes of light pink flowers and further on the Flowering Ash ( Fraxinus Ornus) with its showy panicles of fragrant creamy-white flowers.

Pause and listen to the birdsong in the garden, the Grey Lag Geese have hatched their brood, the Hebridean Sheep continue to munch and take care walking on the East Lawn as the rabbits/ Squirrels are having a field day!!

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker