5th October 2025

Welcome,

With leaves still on the trees these strong winds over the weekend have come at a bad time. We have lost an old Pear Tree at the back of the fruit cage and an  Apple Tree in the Orchard. So far.

Do take care going round the gardens- especially under large trees.

In the Vegetable Garden we are picking Spinach and Chard, Salad Crops,  Rocket , Leeks and Squashes. The giant Pumpkins are being left to grow and the Beans left for their seed.

The Reeds and Sedge in the Fishponds have enjoyed the weather this year and during the winter will need thinning out to prevent them choking the ponds. N.B. the Water Lilies have come in with the water from the Moat -not planted by us.

We are getting the wonderful autumn colours. The large multicoloured tree in the daffodil area is Parrotia Persica, commonly called Persian ironwood and native to Iran and the Caucasus region.

The Daffodil Shrubbery is full of colours-  Golden Alder, Schumak, Amelanchier, Sambuca, Physocarpus Opulifolius and Cotinus Coggygria . It is  best seen looking across the moat from the West Lawn.

Asters and Dahlias are flowering in the Autumn Border -which is specifically planted for interest at this time of year. It is on a very dry bank- possibly because it is on top of the old road that went to Walsingham.   It is also North facing.

Pink Nerines are in full flower at the front of the Hall and the West lawn has orange Dahlia and Zauschneria and the pink arching stems of Lespedeza -all in flower.

 The  4 Oleander in pots will soon be moved inside for winter protection and the Urns too once they have finished flowering and before the frosts.

The moles have started digging again and the Muntjac has been seen in the garden. We have a new Hebridean Tup for the ewes, and the life cycle starts again.

The gardens close this week and there will then be a monthly Blog throughout the winter to keep you informed of what is happening in the gardens.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker