29th April 2023

Welcome

In the Vegetable Garden we are picking Rhubarb, Spinach, Asparagus and Sea Kale.

Other vegetables have been sown in the Greenhouse then planted out- Peas and Broad Beans and a lovely run of Sweet Peas. The Herb Garden is waking Up and mint is already on the menu.

The Greenhouse is packed to capacity and I am waiting to move some of the more tender plants out after the last frosts have passed. We have lost two lovely Fuchsia in pots which didn’t make the greenhouse in time.

The white carpet of Snowdrops in the Dell has been replaced by the Bluebells. Certain areas are home to pink and white bells- not planted by me but attractive. We are having a bit of a battle with the bluebells which seem to have sprung up in all parts of the garden and seem determined to take over flower beds!! Whereas the Dell would be a natural habitat with the trees and shade, they are also thriving in the Hosta bed beside the stream which has no shade??

Masses of Yellow in the garden- not from the Daffodils whose show is done but by the Iris, Marsh Marigold, Euphorbia and Philadelphus Coronarius. The earliest rose is also yellow, Canary Bird, which is in the Daffodil Shrubbery and close on its tail is another yellow rose, Banksia Lutea flowering against the front of the Hall. With yellow it’s always good to see blue and as well as Camassia in the West Lawn, the Wisteria is about to flower at the front of the Hall.

The flowering Cherry in the West lawn is Prunus Amanogawa noted for its upright habit and sometimes called the Flagpole Cherry.

The tulip at the back of the Hall is Ballade and this will soon be joined by pink Lilly of the Valley and Paeonia.

Also at the back of the Hall is a Fly Catchers nest- in the Gutter, and we have daily visits from the Heron. An eel has been spotted in the Moat and there are constant fights between the Greylag Geese and the Swans. The swans have decided to build their nest in the Fishponds this year but constantly pop in for a circuit of the Moat.

Stay healthy and Good Gardening

Lynda Tucker