11th May 2025

Welcome,

In the Vegetable Garden we have removed the Sprouting Broccoli and given the remnants to the Hebridean Sheep in the Fishponds.

We are at the end of the Chard and are eating Rhubarb, Spring Greens and Asparagus. Plants are gradually leaving the Greenhouse, hardened off and planted out.

The white Iris have been spectacular in the Iris bed this year. They are always the first to flower and have a lovely perfume. The Delphiniums are interplanted and soon the Iris bed will become a Delphinium bed.

In the Daffodil area we are waiting for the Daffodils to die back and encourage Cow Parsley to cover their sad departure. However, the Paulownia or Foxglove tree is in full flower. It is a tender tree and therefore not often seen in English gardens, but its purple flowers are spectacular.

We have cut down the Marsh Marigolds (Caltha Palustris) in the Bog Garden for them to re flower. Primula Pulverentula is the name of the tall cerise Candelabra Primula growing there. Originally, they were lining the path in the Water Garden but have found their way into the Bog Garden where they are enjoying having their feet wet. The first of the water Iris is in flower-Iris Pseudacorus Variegata.

Behind the Autmn Border the pink Chestnut Tree is in flower.

Covering a clump of old stone ruins beside the stream is a pretty pink geranium-Geranium Macrorrhizum or Rock Crane’s Bill. It has no soil to grow from.

You might smell the Choisya on the Water Garden path. It is an evergreen with white flowers, but it is the glossy green leaves that release an aromatic smell when crushed or have the sun on them.

The Wisteria has finished flowering on the front of the Hall and Rambling Rector is the White Rose taking its place.   The delicate yellow flowers of Banksiae Lutea are over the Porch and Actinidia is the artist palette-type leaves on the side wall.

The Daffodils and Primula have gone from the Wild Garden and Cow Parsley is creating a very wild look. The white Ox eye daisy is growing fast and poised ready to take over.

The Greylag Goose eggs have hatched. We found a dead duckling which had fallen between the pot and the Urn. It was Perfect. Where the other 5 Goslings have gone is a total mystery.

Our very welcome House Martins are back and nesting under the eaves at the back of the Hall. There is a swarm of Bees on the West Lawn side of the Hall again up against the eaves. The water in the Moat is very clear and quite a few Carp can be seen. We have also seen Eels and there are/were Tadpoles in the Fishponds. We seem to have a very friendly white duck taking up residence on the Moat and there is a single white Swan in the Fishponds. Oyster Catchers visit, the Heron is a less frequent visitor but sadly not true of the Muntjac.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker