14th April 2024

Welcome to our vibrant spring garden!

It is a very exciting time in the garden as plants are appearing and colour replacing the dull winter tones. It is also a very dangerous time in the garden as the rising of the sap tempts one to start digging the borders. I have lost many plants by putting a spade into the ground where I had forgotten a plant already existed, so I urge caution.

In The Vegetable Garden the Sprouting Broccoli has finished for the year and we are now sowing seed in the Greenhouse for next year’s harvest.

We’re in the midst of relocating the Rhubarb bed to a shadier spot and transitioning to an Artichoke bed, a process we’re tackling in stages to preserve this year’s harvest. Half the plants will remain in the original bed to be harvested and the other half moved and not picked this year.

We are picking Asparagus daily and the weeds you might see are because we mulch with our own compost and are unable to get sufficient heat to kill all the weeds it contains. Generally, they are easily picked out by hand before they get too strong a hold. The fleece has been removed from the potatoes which have been planted in the old Raspberry frame to help remove the weed. As we dig them up we are hoping the remains of the bindweed will come up too.

The Greenhouse is packed with seedlings which we grow on before planting out. The cold weather has meant delaying moving outside the more tender plants which have over wintered in the Greenhouse. We still could get frosts, but space is at a premium and despite the threat they are gradually being moved outside.

The first Beareded Iris is in flower in the Iris bed, and they have Delphiniums planted amongst them which need supports. The Nepeta edging this bed is “Walkers Low”.

The Dell is now a mass of bluebells, we do seem to have pink and white bells as well, and with the leaves coming on the trees the area has a completely different feel from the snowdrop season- see what you think?

Look for the Blue Tits nest in the large Beech tree after the Iris Walk.

The Daffodil area has Cowslips and Celandine. The lovely purple Paulownia and yellow Laburnum are in bud and about to flower but the Cow Parsley is slow in taking over from the Narcissus. The Bog Garden is awash with Caltha Palustris or Marsh Marigold with its vibrant yellow flowers and the leaves of the variegated water Iris pick up the colour. The flowering climbing plant on the Arch to the Bog Garden is Akebia Quinata.

Primula are in flower in the Water Garden and the Choisya beside the path are in flower and have a lovely scent.

At the front of the Hall Clematis Armandii has finished flowering and the Wisteria is in bud. The yellow rose along the wall is Banksia Lutea and it is the second rose to flower after the Canary Bird- seen across the Moat in the Daffodil area. It is an unusual way to grow the Banksia but it works for us.

 We have planted Dianthus Devon Wizard in front of the rose bed and put a protective net around it for the first few weeks as rabbits decimated these plants last year and we have had to re plant.

The West Lawn is coming alive and the flowering cherry in the corner is Prunus Amanogawa

In the Wild Garden the native Pseudonarcissus and Leucojum along the Moat have finished flowering and Cow Parsley is taking the space. Primroses and Anemone Blanda along

with Anemone de Caen and Fritillaria can be seen in the grass and the Quince Tree is in full flower. The ancient old Mulberry Tree is slow to get its leaves.

Rabbits have been a nightmare this year as you will see from the number of de- headed tulips in the orchard and the Cormorant is a regular visitor. The sheep have multiplied, and we have moved them to the succulent grass in the Car Park to cut that down. Sadly, the swans aborted their attempt to return to nest after they were chased off by a gang of Grey Lag geese and we have numerous Raptors flying over. Moles have been busy and some Muntjac visitors but fortunately so far not too many. Do tell us of any bird sightings whilst visiting- it’s always helpful to let other visitors know what to look out for.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the garden.

Stay healthy and good gardening.

Lynda Tucker