26th April 2026

Welcome

The warmth of the sun has brought the gardens to life and it’s a very busy time sowing, weeding and planting.

Behind you, the Orchard is worth a visit. The fruit trees are in flower and the Camassia and Tulips (white triumphater) are growing in the grass which we leave uncut. The tulips were planted at least 3 years ago and usually their flower heads are bitten off by rabbits and so it is a bonus to see them in flower this year.

The fleece is off the Potatoes, and they have been earthed up. Asparagus and Rhubarb are being picked along with Chard and Spinach. To avoid damage from wildlife our Vegetables are mainly started off in the Greenhouse and then planted out.

To make way for all the seed sowing, plants, protected during the winter in the Greenhouse, have been moved outside. Tomatoes have been sown and will eventually be grown in the beds inside the Greenhouse and the Vegetables, sown in the Greenhouse, planted outside.

Lots of Bluebells in the Dell and the Daffodils in the Garden left to die down.

The large Paulownia in the Daffodil area is slow in coming into leaf this year but we have a reserve planted just behind it and that is in leaf.

The yellow flowers of Caltha Palustris (marsh marigold) are brightening up the Bog Garden.

The Wisteria is in full flower against the south facing walls of the Hall and the orange plant on the ground by the Porch is a Helianthemum.

As you enter the West Lawn look across the Moat at the bright yellow rose Canary bird which is in full flower. It’s a shrub rose which I have seen grown as a small tree and tho not defined as repeat flowering, if it’s happy, it might produce more flowers in September.

Please try to avoid walking on the gravel next to the Moat at the bottom of the West Lawn. There is a path. Later in the year this will be a mass of self sown plants but at this time of year they are just coming through the gravel.

The beautiful double white Cherry in front of Moat House has been in flower for two weeks. We planted it about 25 years ago. By contrast the pine trees on the East Lawn, are about 100 years old.

If you walk back to the Car Park via the Pleached Hornbeam look for the tree with bandages. Last year this tree was dying (always must be the one in the middle!!) and I asked advice from an old nurseryman. It had been well watered and there was no sign of disease on its neighbours. He suggested putting honey onto bandages and wrapping them round the trunk and this was done in August/September? The tree is not as vigorous as the others but it is alive and in growth so we shall see.

The sheep are happy wandering between the Water Meadow and the Fishponds, the Grey Lag are busy hatching their eggs and keeping everyone else off the Moat, the Mallard is down to two ducklings from 9 and there are lots of small butterflies and very large bees in the garden.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker