26th August 2024

Welcome

It’s the time of year when we are almost vegetarian with so much produce coming from the garden. Runner beans continue to produce as does the chard, beetroot, cabbage, tomatoes and kale. Apples and pears are ripening, and blackberries, plums and currants stored in the freezer. We make our own apple juice by crushing the apples and this will be a September job. The Sweet Peas have flowered for weeks, and they will now be left to go to seed and herbs are gradually being cut down and stored.

Warm winds have brought an autumn feel to the garden and it’s time for removal and renewal.

The Phlomis,  Seneccio and Buddleia on the Moat banks have been dead headed, and the Delphiniums, are having a second flush.

The Dell has now its full leaf canopy and the autumn crocus are appearing.

The Bog Garden is taking on a pink hue with the Chelone Obliqua and spikes of Lythrumth. The Autumn Border is colouring up and there’s a nice shady walk through the water garden which the hydrangea are enjoying.

At the front of the Hall the leggy white lavender along the wall has been removed and replaced by cuttings taken last year. This is allowing the Nerines in the bed behind to get as much sun as possible.

In the West Lawn we are cutting down plants that have finished flowering making space for our autumn flowers. Look for the wonderful flowering branches of the Lespendeza beside the Bay tree and by the Urns the white poppy-like flowers of Romneya are in flower. At the bottom of the West Lawn the gravel garden is coming to life again. The geranium Psilostemon was cut to the ground and that is now re growing. Verbena Bonariensis and Ox eye daisies need constant removal or they will swamp the area. Larkspur, Californian Poppies and Nigella have all been allowed to seed but it is surprising how many plants have made their own way into this area- such as the Alchemilla, Malva and the Eupatorium which has seeded from across the Moat.

Once a single plant,the orange flowering Zauchneria Ed Carmine has spread and is now lining the path under the Rose Pergola

Fortunately, the Moat has remained clear this year and its possible to see shoals of quite large Carp in the Moat plus Eels. The widowed Goose in the Fishponds is still looking for a gander and the House Martins and Fly Catchers are still in their nests around the Hall. We saw a Sparrow Hawk sitting on the stepped gables and there are numerous Raptors . Moles and Rabbits in evidence. 3 young rabbits are enjoying the Dianthus Devon Wizard at the front of the rose bed. When planted this year we fenced them to give them time to establish but having removed the wire the rabbits appear to have taken a liking to the flowers which they are chomping off leaving  a long stalk?

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker