9th August 2026

Welcome

Still no forecast for rain and we are gradually adjusting to the heat- starting work earlier and sometimes working in the evening. We have had to select what gets watered as there are too many plants to water individually. The Vegetables take priority as they are annuals, but the Globe Artichokes, Rhubarb and Asparagus must take their chance, and we hope their roots are deep enough. The Figs have been stupendous and flourished in the heat.

In the garden the Pots get watered, and we are trying to water the newer roses – all this with watering cans so quite laborious.

Some of the plants are beginning to change to their Autumn colours – the large Parrotia Persica in the Daffodil area is already colouring.

In the Bog garden the water level is low but there is water and the Lobelia and Ligularia are flowering.

The Autumn Border and the Water Garden both enjoy the shade offered by the giant Holme Oak and Whitebeam trees. The Oak leafed Hydrangea fare better than most hydrangeas in these hot conditions. Beside the path in the water garden and facing North they continue to flower long after their companions of  Hosta and Hemerocallis.

Blue is a colour, not often seen in the summer garden. Currently we have. Agapanthus, and Ceratostigma -at the bottom of the West Lawn with blue flowers and leaves which turn to aubergine.  Perovskia -is thriving in the sun as too the Hibiscus in the Water Garden.

Canna, which one might have thought would love this weather, have been very disappointing. The ones left in the ground to over -winter have not reappeared- despite a mulch, and the ones transferred from the Greenhouse, where they spent their winter, are not looking as if they will flower this summer. A similar story for the Ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum) along the back wall of the West lawn.

The Nut Walk is a shady area to walk-said to be for the ladies of the House to exercise without the sun touching their fair skins. Next to that is the Wild Garden left for the Hedgehogs who are sheltering there from the sun. The ancient Mulberry has prospered in the heat producing lots of berries but the Quince in that garden is in a poor way.

The hedge along the Moat has been cut using ladders, saws, ropes and a boat- follow us on Facebook to see.

The Sheep in the Fishponds have resorted to eating reeds to get their nourishment now that the grass is brown

A huge amount of House Martins are circling around and their nests can be seen under the eaves of the Hall. This week we have seen Yellow Wagtail, Green Woodpeckers, and Hummingbird Moths, whilst Herons are back in the Fishponds.

Stay healthy and good gardening

LyndaTucker