23rd April 2023

Welcome to our garden

We are picking Rhubarb and Asparagus in the Vegetable Garden. The Potatoes have been mounded up and Sweet Peas and vegetable plants from the cold frame have been planted out.

If we knew what to do with the Dandelions this year our fortunes would be made! Never have I seen so many. Should you feel like pulling their heads off please feel free to do so.

Bluebells have taken over from the Snowdrops in the Dell. Although predominantly blue, we have pink and white as well

The Daffodils are dying back but some later varieties are still flowering- particularly the white. Look out for the  blossom on the Amelanchier and Weeping Pear in the Daffodil shrubbery and the lovely yellow rose- Canary Bird- always the first rose to flower here.

The yellow Marsh Marigold or Caltha Palustris has taken over the Bog Garden and the Swans attempted to make a nest amongst the Water Iris but seem to have abandoned it.

They say “a weed is a flower in the wrong place” and we are certainly working hard to get on top of the Bluebells which have appeared everywhere in the Water Garden flowerbeds this year. They are being lifted and re homed in the Dell.

The Helianthemum in the Water Garden have been flowering since Christmas and still look good. The Primulas are appearing and the lovely yellow Erythronium Pagoda is in full bloom.

Blossom everywhere – especially the Orchard where the path through will take you by the Tulip Triumphator, the blue Camassia and the Globe Alliums. The large daffodil area on the left is used for picking flowers for the Hall.

An Eels have been seen in the Moat and a small shoal of fish under the bridge. The Heron is a frequent visitor and the Swans seem to have an issue with the Grey Lag Geese. We heard the first Cuckoo about 3 weeks ago and it is lovely to hear the Dawn Chorus again.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker