Garden Diary

Welcome,

At last we have had the long-awaited rain. The grass is greening up and the flowers perking up.

Please be cautious when walking on the grass in the garden. There are large holes made by rabbits, and efforts are ongoing to address them.

In the Vegetable Garden, Beans are still being harvested. The Sweetcorn crop has not been successful, but the Squash and Pumpkins are growing well. At the back of the garden, frames support the trumpet-shaped courgette Tromboncino. Sprouting Broccoli is growing in the Fruit Cage as protection from pigeon and pheasant.

Box Blight and drought have affected the Vegetable Garden. We have removed infected parts, treated with a fungicide, and will feed the Box after two weeks.

Tomatoes are still producing well in the Greenhouse.

The rose – Pink Bells is located on the steep bank behind the Iris Walk. A total of 20 roses have been planted on this sunny steep slope, but soil erosion has impacted their roots. Planks have been installed beneath the plants, and additional soil added, to minimise further root exposure. This same rose can be seen growing beside the stone bridge in front of the Hall.

Cyclamen are in flower in the Dell, enjoying the shade as the autumn leaves drop around them.

The water level in the Moat has fallen, as can be seen in the Bog Garden. We have closed the sluice gates leading into the Moat and the water has largely cleared from green algae.

The pink Nerines along the wall at the front of the hall are in flower. They suffered badly from the heat and lack of water and are just recovering.

Behind the wall the Passion flower is taking over- originally grown from a single seed.

The orange flower along the path under the pergola is Zauschneria Ed Carmen also known as Californian Fuchsia. A draught resistant late summer/ autumn flowering plant with grey green foliage happily spreading along the edge of the flower bed.

Verbena Bonariensis is growing in the gravel along with the geranium psilostemon  which is having a second flowering.

My favourite autumn plant is coming into flower- Lespedeza. With its ornamental arching branches of rose-purple  pea shaped  flowers it enjoys full sun and is draught tolerant- take note.

Hydrangea Petoliaris along the top of the wall has been dead headed but the flower heads on other Hydrangeas are left to protect them over the winter.

The Autumn Crocus are in full flower on the edge of the East lawn and the mauve scented herbaceous shrub-clematis Wyevale is in flower in the shrubbery.

Rabbits are very evident in the gardens and the heron still visit. A “murder” of crows (a medieval term linked to folklore and superstition) come by in the evenings. We have seen a Hen harrier, heard Owls and a Tawny Owl pellet was found on the Front door mat.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome,

The persistent dry weather has withered the grass, and autumn leaves are falling. Rabbits are digging for moisture, and we are filling the hazardous large scrapes.

The ongoing hot, dry weather has lowered the Moat level. To maintain the water level, we let stream water into the Moat, which unfortunately introduced nitrates and led to the growth of the green algae which is visible. However, the Water lilies have multiplied- benefitting from the nutrients in the nitrates

The Vegetable Garden is in full production and we are having bumper harvests this year.  We water sparingly where it is needed and sell the surplus beans, courgettes, apples and figs to garden visitors. Currently we are harvesting Radish, Rocket, Runner and French Beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Courgettes and Potatoes.

The Greenhouse is full of tomatoes (Marmande) and outside the yellow rose growing up one of the Ginkgo trees is “Mermaid”.

Roses flourished in June but have not liked the continual dry weather causing stress which manifested in black spot. We are getting second flowerings. You could identify any of our roses on the tea towels for sale in the Coffee shop.

 Crab apple trees are adding some colour in the Daffodil area and the large purple spikes of Thalia can be seen in the Bog Garden.

Growing up the fir tree in the Autumn Border, the lower leaves of the Hydrangea Petiolaris were eaten by a Muntjac. Fortunately, they are now recovering

On the back wall of the West lawn the Passionflower, grown from seed, is flourishing and Japanese Anemones are in flower.

Oleander are still in flower in the pots at the bottom of the West lawn and Verbena Bonariensis is thriving in the gravel. See how well the orange of Californian Poppies looks amongst them?

Please use caution near the edge of the East Lawn as autumn crocus are emerging. These plants, also known as “Naked ladies” due to their flowering before leaf growth, may be difficult to see.

Watching the white duck sitting on top of the Yew by the bridge I was even more surprised when 2 Heron flew by. We had 5 Muntjac in the garden last night. The Hummingbird hawk moth has been seen on the Verbena and we have a Hen Harrier in the garden as well as very many Pigeons.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Gardening in August is always a challenge but never so much as this year where the heat has persisted throughout the Summer.

Water is expensive and we water sparingly in the Vegetable Garden and where plants are in pots.

Due to water shortage, mildew developed on the mint (now cut down) and courgette leaves (now removed). Despite the dry conditions, weeds are thriving, and we’re working to clear a significant number of thistles.

The sprouting broccoli has demonstrated strong growth and has now been properly staked. Squash and Pumpkins are romping away.

The Runner Beans thrived after watering, giving us a large harvest, but Peas, French beans, and Beetroot are nearly finished. Radish, Lettuce, and Rocket have struggled due to insufficient watering.

Figs have loved the heat and we are looking forward to a bumper crop of Apples. The Plum Czar yielded heavily, and Victoria is now ripening.

Tomatoes always need watering and they too are enjoying the heat.

The Buddleja lining the Moat have all been grown from cuttings and they are dead headed to keep the display going.

The Catmint lining the Iris bed was cut back and that is now flowering again.

Cyclamen are emerging in the Dell’s shade, while the chamomile lawn and Jaquemontii trees require some watering.

The Daffodil area was cleared several weeks ago, and the Crab apple trees are now bearing fruit. Historically, this location served as a loading point for fish harvested from the ponds, which were then transported by cart to destinations such as Binham, Walsingham, and Norwich.

Weeping Pears are either side of the path to the Bog Garden where the tall purple spires of Thalia are flourishing.

Enjoy the shade walking through the path in the Water Garden, home to Hydrangea and Zantedeschia at this time of year, and then up the path through the Hemerocallis and Hosta to the bridge crossing the Moat.

Oleander are still flowering in pots beside the Moat in the West lawn. The Geranium Psilostemon was cut down and is now flowering again.

We had 2 widowed Geese (Fox) in the Fishponds but we think they have fallen out and one has decided to make his home beside the Moat. You might also see a very tame white duck which has appeared from nowhere and busily settles itself around the water. Cormorants and herons are active near the water, but a group of large carp remain untouched. In the air, buzzards and kites are among the raptors present.

Otter Poo has been spotted by a garden visitor. Mindful of the fact that our Black Swans were killed by Otter swimming beneath and pulling them under water we are having to keep a careful watch-but not much we can do other than watch!!

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome,

We are back to the hot weather which is a mixed blessing for the plants. We do water sparingly in the Vegetable Garden and the plants growing in pots but we are not used to such a long period of draught.

The French Beans have finished early, and the Runner Beans are now cropping. It’s been a disappointing year for the Sweet Peas, largely due to the prolonged dry spells and late frosts that hampered both germination and growth. In contrast, the Courgettes are flourishing, likely thanks to the consistent rainfall earlier in the season that established them well before the drought set in. Onions, which tend to favour dry heat, are thriving and it looks to be a bumper crop of Figs, their roots benefiting from the warmth retained in the soil. However, the Mint has suffered from powdery mildew, a result of the persistent lack of water and closely packed stems reducing airflow. Rocket and salad crops have bolted quickly, the sudden heat triggering early flowering and seed production. We have reduced the espalier apples to two apples per cluster, N.B the Step over apples at the side of the path are called ‘Scrumptious”

At the back of the Vegetable Garden growing on wooden frames are courgettes looking like trumpets called Tromboncino. It is said the fruits can reach up to a metre in length and has a mild nutty flavour holding its texture better than regular courgettes. Time will tell.

Overall, while some crops have struggled with the challenging conditions, others have performed beyond expectations, making this year in the garden a valuable source of insight and learning for seasons to come.

Tomatoes are cropping well in the Greenhouse and Cyclamen are beginning to appear in the shade of the Dell.

The water level in the Bog Garden has dropped noticeably over the past week, largely due to the ongoing dry weather. Despite this decline, plant health and local wildlife have not shown any signs of stress so far.

The rose flowering on the side of the Hall is Leverkusen- always late to flower with a mild fruity fragrance, and as the name suggests, bred in Germany.

Although the RHS advises against watering grass—assuring us it will recover—I find myself questioning that optimism. Looking at our West Lawn, with its brown patches, thinning areas, and a scattering of stubborn weeds, it’s clear that it will demand a fair bit of attention come autumn. Last year, after a particularly dry spell, we had to reseed several bare spots and coax the grass back to health—a challenge I suspect we’ll be facing once again.

Seed collecting time is upon us, and the Wild Garden has now been cut, allowing ample opportunity for seeds to settle into the soil for next year. This season, the branches of the 5-year-old Quince Tree in the Wild Garden are heavy with a bumper crop—the fruit glowing gold against the fading green, and releasing a subtle, sweet fragrance that drifts on the air.

Meanwhile, the Hebridean sheep continue their gentle grazing between the Water Meadow and Fishponds. Water Lillies have appeared in the Fishponds seemingly having made their way from the Moat, their broad leaves floating serenely on the still surface of the ponds and adding a tranquil beauty to the scene.

There is a shoal of 5 -7 quite large Carp in the Moat but a Cormorant has been photographed standing on the Moat bank eyeing up the fish. Red Kites have been circling and the Eyed Hawkmoth seen feeding on the Verbena Bonariensis. Quite a few Butterflies are on the Buddleja and Dragon flies on the water. A freshly dead jackdaw was found in one of the chimneys at the Hall. A current list of birds seen in the garden is in The Coffee Shop.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome,

We are busy in the Vegetable Garden harvesting Beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Courgettes, Salad crops and Potatoes. We are trying to pick the Courgettes at only 6 inches long- but is a race to keep up! We try to keep the Squash  off the ground by putting a barrier between the soil and the fruit as they will not be ready for a few weeks. The Asparagus have been left to die back. This bed was mulched earlier in the year with our home-made compost and we have produced a healthy crop of Verbena Bonariensis and Apple of Peru (Nicandra Physalodes)-a problem of not being able to heat the compost and kill off any seedlings!!

The American Pillar rose on the Pergola has been cut back. This very thorny vigorous rambler was first bred in U.S.A. in 1902 and makes a stunning once a year display along the width of the Vegetable Garden.

Buddleja along the Moat banks are dead headed to keep the display going and the first Cyclamen are appearing in the Dell.

In the Dell the Chamomile bed has a problem. The variety grown is nonflowering Treneague but unfortunately Roman Chamomile has sprung up amongst it. We will dead head the Roman to stop it seeding and hope that Treneague – which is a better low spreading ground cover plant, will take over.

Wonderful seed heads can be seen on the Paulownia in the daffodil area. We have successfully produced 2 plants from its seeds- but it has taken 3 years

The tall purple spikes in the Bog Garden are from a Thalia which seems to be coping with this year’s fluctuating water levels.

Be careful of wasps but do have some yellow Mirabelle plums which have fallen by the Stream Garden. Absolutely delicious for jam and I have picked enough.

Pink Criniums are in flower on the front of the Hall and the Wisteria is having a second flowering.

Oleander are in flower in the pots at the bottom of the West lawn- taken inside for the winter.

The West lawn has suffered from this years dry weather and we didn’t water as we were assured that lawns will recover, It is West and South facing and drains well. This lawn has been cut by a robot mower which is programmed to cut regularly by tiny amounts, which it then spreads back onto the lawn. Currently we have several brown patches and weeds so will review this strategy at the end of the summer.

Squirrels are leaving a trail of hazelnut shells under the Nut Walk. Fortunately, Muntjacs are not very tall as the have eaten the bottom leaves of our climbing hydrangea (Petiolaris) on the large  tree by the Autumn Border. 6 Kites were circling on the thermals above the gardens the other evening and the rabbits are busy making their scrapes on the ground. Quite a large shoal of Carp can be seen coming up to catch the insects on the top of the moat and the Heron is there keeping watch.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome.

The recent rain has been very welcome. The roses have been stunning and those that repeat are doing so but it is the Vegetable Garden that now comes to the front. Runner beans are just starting to crop and we are still picking French Beans and digging carrots and pulling beetroot, radish and other salad crops. The peas have finished but the Cucurbitaceae family are gearing up– courgettes, squash and pumpkins. Sweet Corn, grown amongst them, are disappointing but our experiment with courgette tromboncino -growing on the frames at the back of the Vegetable Garden, are a great success.

We grow tumbling tomatoes in pots outside, but our main crop is the buffalo tomato- Marmande- grown in the Greenhouse.

The Daffodil area has been cut . The tree with attractive large seed pods is a Paulownia.

In the Bog Garden the tall purple flowers of the Thalia are enjoying their wet situation.

The yellow Mirabelle plums are carpeting the floor in the Water Garden. Our Facebook/Instagram posts will give you much more information. When ripe they fall from the tree. Be careful of wasps but do try them. They make delicious jam.

Pink Criniums are in flower at the front of the Hall and the cream rose on the side is Leverkusen.

The pretty white Clematis in flower on the West Lawn Pergola is Kaui and the magenta is Purpurea Plena Elegans

The gravel garden at the bottom of the West Lawn is of interest on two counts. One is the pretty blue flowers of Nigella (love in a Mist) are turning into striped seed pods which are every bit as attractive. These will turn brown holding next years seeds. And two If you identify the pink clumps of Eupatorium and look across the moat you will see where they originated- blown over the water by the wind – amazing!!! Two ways of perpetuating this area.

The Heron is a frequent visitor. Not that we mind too much losing some of our Carp but the eels are very rare and it is a shame when they are taken. We seem to have a lot of miniature/ toads/frogs(?)and masses of Butterflies- especially on the Buddleja. Rabbits are doing a lot of scraping in the garden and a Black Hebridean sheep frightened the gardener in the Greenhouse last week when someone hadn’t properly closed the Fish pond gate!!!!!!

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome,

The rain has watered the plants………. and encouraged the weeds.

We are digging potatoes and carrots, pulling beetroot, cutting lettuce and courgettes and picking Broad and French beans. The Peas are over for another year but the Sweet Peas still need cutting to encourage more flowers.

As well as harvesting in the Vegetable Garden we are also removing vegetation which is relying on the same water source. Wherever possible we try to “companion plant”. This uses less garden space and can utilise the same water source- e.g. parsley and lettuce have been planted between the rows of French beans. They are now being removed to allow the French beans more water. Beetroot has been planted between the rows of onions.  Beetroot grows faster and can be pulled out before the onions reach maturity and require more space. Similarly, Squash is planted under the Sweet Corn- which would be harvested before the Squash. Unfortunately, this year we made the mistake of planting the Squash too soon before the Sweet Corn and rather than being a good companion they have overwhelmed them.

The espalier apples in the Herb Garden need selective removal leaving only one or two in a cluster to reach maturity. The lavender beneath has been cut back and dried.

In the Greenhouse the tender overwintered plants have all been placed outside and those grown from seed planted. They have been replaced by Tomatoes and Chili plants and soon will be joined by the large number of cuttings taken every year to replenish our stocks. An example is the Senecio bank, which has been thoroughly weeded and gaps filled by plants grown from cuttings taken last year.

All the buddleia on the bank of the Moat have been grown from cuttings -it is a very easy plant to propagate.

In the Dell the Cammomile lawn is at last beginning to impose itself on the space between the Himalayan Birch-Jacquemontii – planted to replace the huge fallen Chestnut. A special variety of Rhododendron has been planted (which does not require an acid soil) and they should clump up to provide an evergreen back drop. This area is a work in progress, but it has a unique atmosphere which is worth capturing.

Beyond the daffodil area the Bog Garden is enjoying the rain.  It’s a bumper cropping year for the two large wild plum trees in the Water Garden. There is a very small window of opportunity between them ripening and falling to the ground to be covered by wasps. The tree with yellow plums is a Mirabelle (Prunus domestica subsp. Syriaca) and makes a wonderful jam.

Lining the path the flowering stems have been removed from the Hosta but the Hemerocallis continue to produce their flowers which last just one day- hence their name Day Lillies.

We are getting a second flush from the roses around the hall and the large Pink Criniums are in flower by the Porch. The evergreen shrub at the side of the Porch is a Magnolia Grandiflora and despite being heavily pruned at the start of the year it is producing flowers.

There is still a lot of colour in the West Lawn. Geraniums and Alchemilla have been cut down for a second flowering and shrubs, that have flowered, are dead headed and tidied. The gravel garden at the bottom has been cut down or some plants allowed to go to seed.

There are a lot of rabbits digging in the gardens and the Heron seems to have abandoned the Moat in favour of wandering across the West Lawn. There are still fish in the Moat but millions of small frogs and toads around the garden.  Swarms of wasps to be aware of and look for the butterflies in the Buddleia.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome,

Unlike last year watering has been a problem with the heat. so we have watered just the Vegetable Garden and tried to keep it to a minimum. The row of Sweet Peas has suffered with very poor growth and short stems and the mint has powdery mildew. The Radish and Rocket, in front of the rose Pergola, have also suffered as has the lettuce. We have been harvesting Broad Beans, Peas, Beetroot, Courgettes,Carrots and Potatoes.

The Marmande tomatoes are ripening in the Greenhouse and along with it we plant Basil whose strong scent deters common pests such as aphids but attracts bees which help with the pollination.

The yellow rose growing up the Ginkgo tree is Mermaid.

The Buddleja is a mass of butterflies- Red admiral, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady and Tortoiseshell. There are also swarms of white Butterflies in the garden.

The Dell is enjoying the shade, and the Daffodil area has at last been cut. Dierma or “Angels Fishing Rods” are the pink flowering plants growing along the side the Moat and have all been grown from seed.

The Water Iris have finished flowering in the Bog Garden and that area is drying out as the level of the Moat falls in the heat.

Honeysuckle is in flower growing up the Holme Oak and the steps opposite will take you to a shaded seat surrounded by laurel where you can decipher the notice.

The pink flowers growing at the front of the Hall porch are Criniums

In the West lawn Crocosmia and Phlocks are making a bold statement. The geraniums have been cut down for a second flowering and the large white flower at the bottom of the lawn is a Romneya. The terracotta pots have Oleander in flower- they need taking inside for winter protection.

Roses have been dead headed with the hope of a second flowering and if you want to identify any of them there is a map on the wall of the Coffee Shop

On a hot day you can’t beat the shade of the Nut Walk- not cut but tied in by the gardener during the first two weeks in January. Squirrels have been enjoying cracking open the nuts growing here and you might find some on the floor.

The Wild Garden has a path through its waist high vegetation and the two trees growing there are an ancient Mulberry and a Quince.

There is a list of birds seen in the garden in the Coffee shop and do add any that you see that are not recorded. This week a Kestrel has been flying around and there are many Dragonflies- particularly in the Fishponds. A yellow frog has made its home in the Greenhouse and the shoal of Carp seems to have diminished to just one? The horrible barking of the Muntjac is heard early in the morning or in the evening marking its territory. We do our best to deter it from the gardens by closing gates but it is only a deterrent not a prevention.!!

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome

We are very busy in the Vegetable Garden. The Peas and Broad Beans are almost over but the French beans are producing along with Carrots, Beetroot and salad crops.  The Runner Beans will follow and then the Cucurbita. These plants grow along the ground and we have Squashes (under the Sweet Corn), Courgettes, Pumpkin and on the wooden supports, Tromboncino-a climbing courgette- new to us but worth a try?

The roses along the Pergola are American Pillar and the feathery ferns along the Moat edge are Asparagus which have been left to turn brown before cutting down.

There are masses of figs on the old tree against the corner wall, and we have black, red and white Currants, Gooseberries and Autumn Raspberries. Some tumbling varieties of tomatoes are grown in the chimney pots but our main crop is grown in the Greenhouse.

The yellow rose climbing up through the Ginkgo tree is “Mermaid”

The Buddleja lining the Moat bank are in flower- all grown from cuttings.

The Bog Garden water level is very low, Iris have finished flowering and the marginal plants are taking over.

In the Water Garden the white Zantedeschia and white Oak leaf Hydrangea mingle with yellow Alchemilla Mollis and Candelabra Primula. The yellow Primula are sometimes referred to as Himalayan as this is where they originated

Hosta and Hemerocallis are in full flower lining the path beside the stream.

The pink lillies on the front of the Hall are Criniums, and, where we can reach them, we are struggling to keep up with dead heading the roses.

In the West Lawn Peonies and Papaver are giving way to Crocosmia, Agapanthus and Stocks.  Geraniums are cut back to encourage a second flowering but the plants in the gravel garden are left to go to seed. Romneya is the name of the White poppy at the bottom of the West lawn.

Oleander are in flower in the pots. These are kept under cover during the Winter and brought out for the Summer.

The Wild Garden has become overgrown, with grasses having supplanted the Ox Eye daisy. The vegetation now reaches waist height and is scheduled for cutting.

Lots of butterflies in the garden, some Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and Meadow brown but the majority are white. Dragon flies and very small Bees are in evidence and the birds are still very vocal. The Heron is a less frequent visitor than in the past but a single white duck seems to have made its home here.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome

We are struggling with the heat- liked by some plants but not the Vegetables which do need watering.  We are picking Currants, Gooseberries, Broad Beans, Carrots, Peas and Courgettes, some salad crops, still digging Charlotte potato and Beetroot. The Sweet Peas need regular picking, the Beans encouraging to wind round the supports while the Squash and Pumpkin are crying out for water.

The Greenhouse is now full of tomatoes. We have Marmande which is a later flowering beefsteak variety. Another tomato-Tumbling Tom is planted in the chimney pots in the Herb Garden.

 In places the old moat walls have long disappeared and by the Greenhouse we have planted Phlomis and Ox eye daisy covering one bank and Senecio and Buddleia another. Both planted to bind the bank and provide ground cover to minimise weeding and disturbance to the bank.

Delphiniums (all grown from seed) have taken over in the Iris bed. The wild chicory (Cichorrum Pumilum)) is staked on the bank behind and we are trying to establish the rose Pink Bells to cover this dry steep sunny bank.

In the Dell a Cammomile lawn with 4 Jacquemontii birch have been planted where a huge old Chestnut fell over. Elsewhere it is a cool haven of shade.

The long wait is over and the daffodil area has at last been mown.

Two Weeping Pear mark the path to the Bog Garden where the water level is now very low. You will need to edge carefully through the Dierma (angels fishing rods) lining the path to reach the Water Iris.

The white flowers of Zantedschia stand out in the Water Garden. The Oak leaf Hydrangea is in flower and enjoying the cool shade- not true for the Persicaria which are struggling with the heat on the bank beneath the Buddleia globosa. Take time to smell the Honeysuckle climbing the large Holm Oak-said to have been first brought over from Italy as acorns protecting the marble statues for Holkham Hall.

Take the steps into the Laurel encircled seat where you might be able to hide away for a while?

With Hemerocallis lining one side, there are 4 different types of Hosta lining the other side of the stream path with the yellow Candelabra primula seeded along its banks.

The Crocosmia in flower in the West lawn is Lucifer and the large white Poppy like flower by the Urns is a Romneya.

Enjoy the cool shade of the Nut Walk before following the path through the Wild Garden with its waist high grass and dying Ox eye daisy; but amongst it the wild white and blue geranium, Quince and Mulberry trees.

We have been very excited to discover 3 types of Wild Orchid in the Fish Ponds.  Pyramidal, Common Spotted and Early Marsh Orchid. They are growing amongst the sedge which possibly has protected them from being eaten by the Hebridean Sheep who graze this area.

Birdsong starts about 3.30 with the Blackbird and the current list of birds seen in the garden is in the Coffee shop. Such a pity the beautiful Heron has such a horrendous squawk!  Dragon flies are back and swarms of small brown Bumblebees feeding on the plants. Squirrels, rabbits the occasional Muntjac all sharing the space. Enjoy.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker