17th May 2026

Welcome,

Work continues in the Vegetable Garden sowing and planting our summer veg. The Strawberries are in flower and the Globe Artichokes have had their first pick. The Asparagus is coming to an end and we need to think about making a new bed next year as this one is over 15years old.

By the Greenhouse the white low growing evergreen cistus lining the path is Monspeliensis and the bank in front is planted with Seneccio.

The Dell is now fully covered by its leaf canopy except in the centre where we lost a large chestnut in a storm. This area is planted with Silver Birch – Jacquemontii with Chamomile beneath.

The Daffodil area is now full of Cow Parsley which covers the dying daffodils. The bright yellow laburnum is in full flower but the large, beautiful Paulownia is not looking too happy.

The Iris in the Bog Garden are beginning to flower- the first being the Variegated Pseudacorus Variegata. This area is continually under water, loved by the marsh marigold which are now giving way to the white Zandescia and purple leaved Ligularia.

The Hosta and Hemerocallis are now up and fully lining the path beside the stream. Originally we had a few plants and continual lifting and dividing has created what you see now- even with spares available for sale by the Coffee Shop.

R.Banksaia Lutea is the yellow rose on the front of the Hall and the white rose just coming into flower is Rambling Rector.

The West Lawn is bulking up but we are still waiting to see signs of the Dahlia, Canna and Ginger which we over winter in the ground.

 Too soon for us to do a “Chelsea Chop” as we are a little behind the flower show schedule.
The gravel at the bottom of the West lawn is suddenly full of plants- very pleased to see the self sown thrift not so keen to see the Ox eye Daisy which if we are not careful will take over.

In the Coffee Shop you will see the list of 30 birds spotted in the gardens last week by guests in the Holiday Cottage- if you spot any more do please add them. As yet we haven’t heard the Cuckoo.

We had 30 Hebridean Lambs this year, the Grey lag Geese are still with us and something is chopping the tops off the Phlox  in the West lawn !!

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker