28th June 2026

Welcome,

With such extra ordinary weather conditions, it is difficult deciding how best to garden. Some Rhododendrons are in bloom -months after their usual flowering season while others, like the Canna and Dahlia, are slow to come out of the ground.

The soft fruit is cropping well but lack of water has resulted in smaller Raspberries. The Herbs are mainly loving the heat but salads and early carrots and beetroot are struggling.

We try to water the roots of vegetables with perforated hoses wherever possible as we find that more efficient than using sprinklers.

Asparagus is being left to go to seed and we have had a bumper crop of Globe Artichokes. Beans and Peas have been planted along with the Squash and Pumpkins and Purple Sprouting Broccoli inside the fruit cage

The rose in flower in The Vegetable Garden is American Pillar and looking across the Moat the bank is lined with Phlomis and Oxeye Daisy.

The Water Lillies in the Moat all originated from a friend’s small garden pond which were re homed 10 years ago.

The Nepeta (Cat Mint) has been cut with the expectation of a second flowering. The Iris have also been cut but this is to prevent the wind catching the leaves and rocking the plant which could loosen the roots of the surface rhizomes.

The Daffodil areas have at last been cut using high mower settings in this hot weather

In the Water Garden, take the steps behind the laurel hedge where the Rhododendron are in flower.

The Honeysuckle climbing the large Holme Oak are in flower and producing a delightful scent.

The roses have finished their first flush of flowers and those that repeat are being dead headed for a second display. On the Pergolas we often plant a Clematis with them so that there is still something to see whilst waiting for the new flowers.

Other plants are now taking centre stage, and you will see Hosta, Hemerocallis, Hydrangea, Astrantia, Geraniums and Crocosmia.

In the gravel at the bottom of the West Lawn the Geranium and Oxeye daisy are being cut down and Verbena Bonariensis, Alchemilla Mollis, Larkspur and Nigella are in flower.

The walk back to the Coffee Shop is lined with Pleached Hornbeam. All very healthy except for one in the middle.! A problem with the bark was noticed last year and the nursery suggested wrapping the trunk with honey-soaked bandages. When it came into leaf this year we thought this has been successful, but it progressed more slowly than the others and the leaves were a lighter colour. It has now died and we have to decide how to proceed -which we will do with the help of the RHS Online Advice Form which is free to members

A visitor spotted a hedgehog in the Nut Walk – the first to be seen for many years and we have so many birds singing in the gardens. The Dragon Fly have returned and if you are in the Fishponds look for the Wild Orchids which appear at this time of year.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker