18th June 2023

Welcome,

And the June roses are spectacular and I will focus on them but before you get there………

In the Vegetable Garden, Asparagus is left now to produce its ferns and thereby feed its roots. The Spinach is going to seed -not entirely due to lack of watering, and the Sweet Peas have lovely long stems and need picking almost every day. Peas and Beans are growing well and we are now digging the new Potatoes. The Sprouting Broccoli is being taken out of the fruit cage and being fed to the sheep allowing sun to reach the strawberries beneath.

The roses growing up the Ginkgo trees just beyond the Greenhouse (3) are Mermaid and Keith Maughan- the latter named after a teacher in Attleborough (where Peter Beales roses are grown) who died tragically young.

10 procumbent roses have been planted at the back of the Iris bed to cover that wall. This is “Pink Bells” and you will see  it in front of the Hall. As a new rose on a dry sunny bank it needs a lot of nurturing but if its successful will reward us well and smother the weeds.

Alchemist is the rose on the metal arch by the Bog Garden.

The front of the Hall is covered by Rambling Rector and Albertine and the lovely scent comes from the Rose de Rescht bed beneath Albertine. Pink Bells is the rose flowering prolifically beside the bridge- as already mentioned.

With well over 100 roses growing in the Gardens I won’t name them all but do not miss Pauls Himalayan Musk. In full flower and completely covering the Bay Tree on the West lawn (13). Magnificent.

We have started to cut down the long grass but some daffodils still have green leaves. If you like long grass don’t miss the walk through the Wild Garden (15) where the Ox Eye daisy is waist high.

Along the drive look out for the Liriodendron or Tulip Tree (18). Next to the huge Copper Beech and in flower.

Lots of fish in the Moat and a large eel has been spotted.

House martins are nesting under the eaves and we have Spotted Fly catchers and Swallows- a list of birds seen in the gardens is in the Tea Room so please do add if you spot something different.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker