13th April 2025

Welcome,

We still have the sun with us and no sign of rain.

Our Vegetables are started off in the Greenhouse (protection from wildlife). Although the soil is now warm enough for them to be planted out the lack of moisture in the soil is causing us to hesitate.

We are picking Rhubarb and Sprouting Broccoli, some Chard and the first Asparagus. Potatoes are in the ground and supports are being placed in readiness for the plants.

In the Dell the elegant flowers of Epimedium Versicolor are making a striking display. They are growing on the mound surrounding an ancient tree stump. It is dry and shady and they are providing excellent ground cover for this inhospitable spot. Elsewhere the Bluebells are coming into flower and they will soon carpet this area.

There is a leak to the Dam in the Fishponds which is causing the water to drain. We are on the case but it is taking time to get the right materials required to block the hole.

Lots of daffodils/ narcissus still to see in the daffodil area. The white flowering trees in the Shrubbery are Snowy Mespilus otherwise known as Amelanchier.

The bright yellow plants in the Bog Garden are Marsh Marigold or Caltha Palustris. It is considered an oxygenator plant but despite its advantages we find it does need to be controlled and somehow it has already spread into the Fishponds.

Lots of pretty Primula flowering in the Water Garden and look out for the yellow Erythronium Pagoda which is enjoying this damp shady spot. The Hellibores have been in flower since January. Notoriously promiscuous, I was pleased and surprised to spot one which was almost black.

On the front of the Hall the Clematis Armandii is finishing but the bed of Rose de Rescht beneath it has tulips and alliums coming up. 5 years ago the squirrels ate 100 tulips planted in this bed. I planted alliums as they wouldn’t like the onion smell, but the alliums overwhelmed the roses and so 2 years ago we took them out and moved them to the Orchard. Watch this space.

The 4 beautiful urns of tulips on the West Lawn are reduced to 3 because a Greylag Goose has made her nest on the top of one of the urns. Oleander are the small trees in the terracotta pots and we use the wool from the Hebridean sheep to line all the pots- much appreciated by nesting birds especially the Greylag who uses it as a blanket to cover the eggs when she leaves the nest.

The Wild Garden is looking at its best with Fritillaria, Anemone Blanda, Primula and the band of white Leucojum lining the sides of the Moat. Purple Vinca (periwinkle) has elegantly draped itself around the little bench. The wild daffodil Narcissus Pseudonarcissus has finished flowering, but different varieties of daffodil have started to appear. The Wild Garden is cut just once a year but apart from that largely left to its own devices.

The water in the Moat is very clear and from the first-floor window of the Hall shoals of fish can clearly be seen.

We have many birds nesting including Wagtails, Flycatchers, Oystercatchers and Tits and a strange lone white duck has appeared.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker