9th April 2023

Welcome this glorious Easter Sunday

The Vegetable Garden is coming to life. We are picking Rhubarb and trying to race the pigeons to the spinach and Sprouting Broccoli. We have planted out some of the sweet peas along the frame and onions and beetroot seedlings. Asparagus is just appearing.

The Greenhouse is full and we are starting to move some vegetable seedlings to the cold frames to harden off .

The Iris are taking over from the crocus Tomasianus Whitwell Purple and we are staking the Delphiniums whilst we can still reach them.

The Bluebells are coming up in the Dell and taking over from the snowdrops that carpeted it white.

The Daffodil area is au point. There are over 40 varieties in the garden and if you thought daffodils were just yellow flowers with large trumpets look again. They flower at different times from February to the end of May and some are scented.

The wild swans have started nesting. Unfortunately it is amongst my beautiful variegated water iris in the Bog Garden so take care on the pontoon as they can be dangerous. Delicate little Akebia Quinata is in flower growing up the wooden posts by the pontoon.

In the Stream Garden the lovely little drumstick primula are appearing           and the hellebore, which have flowered since Christmas, are still looking good.

The red tulip in the bed by the gate is Peter de Leur

The clematis on the front of the Hall is Armandii and the Spirea in front is Bridal Wreath.

Clematis have been planted throughout the gardens with most roses. This gives a continuous flower display and at this time of year they grow fast and we are busy tying them onto their supports.

The Wild Garden has lovely blue Anemone Blanda in flower at the moment and along the bottom of the Moat is the white giant snowflake or Junceum Leucojum. There are also Snakes HeadFritillaria and the wild daffodil-Narcissus Pseudocorum

Instead of the quick walk back over the bridge the walk down the drive is very pleasant with primroses on the banks of the stream and there is a lovely view of the Hall from the Pleached Hornbeam walk.

We heard our first Cuckoo 2 weeks ago and this morning heard a Green Woodpecker. Lots of Hebridean lambs in the Water Meadow and of course we are over run with rabbits moles and pigeons.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker