30th March 2025

Welcome

The sun has warmed the soil, and the garden is coming to life.

In the Vegetable Garden we are picking Chard, Rhubarb, Leeks and Purple Sprouting Broccoli. We are busy putting up the frames for the Vegetables and have planted our Early Potatoes.

We are gradually moving plants from the shelter of the Greenhouse and they are rapidly being replaced by trays of seeds.

The gardens are full of daffodils- we have 49 varieties. There are 26,000 varieties of cultivated daffodils- also known as Narcissus. At a glance daffodils might all look the same but with closer inspection you will notice not only the variations in colour but the length of the corona (trumpet), some have reflexed petals, some have small cups, some have split coronas (cups), some are double, some are scented, the size of the flower, the length of the stalk, some are multi stemmed. They come into flower at different times from February to late May and what looks like a bare patch may still have flowers to come so please keep to the paths.

In the centre bed of the Dell the lovely low growing white flower is Anemone Nemorosa or Wood Anemone. They are slow growing, and it has taken a while to get them established but the hope is that they will enjoy this spot and spread.

Primroses are in flower throughout the garden as is the blue Chionodoxa/Scilla – yellow and blue make a lovely Spring collaboration.

Hellebores are continuing to flower in the shade of the Water Garden but surprisingly they also seem happy in the sun at the front of the Hall?

The Clematis on the front of the Hall is Armandii which brings a welcome flush of colour at this time of year BUT if you are thinking of planting one, it does need space.

The tulips have come out of the Greenhouse and are in the Urns on the West lawn.

The Wild Garden is worth a visit with its spring bulbs. Please keep to the path as many more bulbs will soon be appearing. The large tree is an ancient Mulberry which still fruits well.

There is an issue with rabbits, so some shrubs are surrounded by a circle of wire for protection. Unfortunately, we have found this necessary for their first years whilst they get established.

The lambs are gambolling together in the Water Meadow. We have 20 lambs so far. With their mothers they move between there and the Fishponds mowing the grass.

The two Ganders have so far seen off the Grey Lag Geese and 15 Carp were spotted in the Moat by the bridge. We haven’t seen the Heron and Cormorant yet this year. Our first brood of Ducklings are swimming on the Moat.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Cl. Armandii @ Hindringham Hall Gardens