23rd March 2025

Welcome

At last the sun has brought the garden to life and the Spring Equinox means the days will be longer than the nights.

The Vegetable Garden is coming to life and frames put up for the summer vegetables. We are picking Rhubarb and the last of the Chard and Leeks. The Purple Sprouting Broccoli will soon be ready- it’s in the fruit cage to protect it from birds (next year we must do a better job of staking it.)

The Bay Trees have been moved back into the Herb garden from their winter protection.

Outside the Greenhouse we have Oleander and Tulips hardening off before being placed into the pots on the West Lawn.

In the Fish Ponds it is wet but if you keep to the paths you can wander round and read the history relating to the site.

The Daffodils are emerging. Please keep to the paths as they cannot always be spotted coming up in the grass The Yellow will appear first and then what looks like empty patches will soon have other varieties.

From the daffodil area look across the Moat to the Wild Garden where the Leucojum ( sometimes called Spring Snowflake) are lining the Moat

The water table is currently very high and the Iris in the Bog Garden are holding their own and the Marsh Marigolds just appearing.

Snowdrops have finished flowering by the Autumn Border but take time to wander up the steps beside the laurel into our secret hideaway.

Primula are flowering in the Water Garden and the Hemerocallis lining the path are coming up. The miniature daffodil Tete a Tete lining the end of this path always puts on a good show.

On the front of the Hall Clematis Armandii is in bud – usually flowering at the beginning of April.

Be prepared for the explosion of blue in the West Lawn where the Scilla have seeded themselves absolutely everywhere!

A walk through the Nut Walk will take you to the Wild garden. Again please keep to the paths as bulbs are emerging through the grass. The trees are Quince and a very old Mulberry. This garden is mown once a year and otherwise left. It is full of primroses, Fritillaria, Anemone Blanda and Nemerosa then Ox eye daisy and white Geranium. Sometimes we get Bee Orchids.

A muntjac trotted by us the other morning crossing from one bridge to the other before galloping off. Moles- as you can see, are a big problem as are the rabbits. Toads are coming out of the long grass and heading for the Moat. No sign of lambs but birds are singing, pigeons are noisily nesting and the owl at night is very audible- lots to look forward to.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker