13th August 2023

Welcome to our garden,

The weather has alternated between heavy showers and sunny spells and the weeds have particularly enjoyed it.

The Vegetable garden is producing well and we are picking Runner Beans, French Beans, Carrots and Courgettes. Salad crops and potatoes are producing well. We have dug up the Onions prematurely -the very heavy rain was causing them to rot and they are being stored upside down in the greenhouse to dry off. Tomatoes are starting, but later than usual, but the herbs are producing well and being dried or stored for later use.

Masses of butterflies along the Moat edge with the buddleia- we have Peacock, Comma and Red Admiral in the garden. A visitor reported seeing a Brown Wall Butterfly which is very rare so let us know if you spot it.

The path to the Bog Garden has 2 Weeping Pears and the edge is lined with Zantedeschia and the strong yellow flowers of the Ligularia ( on sale by the Coffee shop). The spear shaped leaves in the Bog are from the Thalia Dealbata which has long spikes of mauve flowers. The giant leaves are Gunnera.

Hydrangeas are enjoying the wet and shade offered in the Water garden and the path beside the stream has had the Hosta and Hemerocallis dead headed for another year.

At the front of the Hall the Magnolia Grandiflora has large white flowers and the pink flowers beneath are Criniums.

On Pergolas Clematis are taking over in the lull before the roses flower again and one of my favourites is the delicate white Kaiu -1^st Pergola on the left in the West lawn.

Oleander are flowering in the pots on the gravel at the bottom of the West lawn.

Two Herons sit on the stone bridge every morning and eye up their breakfast in the Moat. A Cormorant has joined in. Moles are back big time as are the rabbits and it’s a joy to watch the House Martins swooping down to drink in the Fishponds every evening.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker