Garden Diary

Welcome

The hot weather continues, and we limit the amount of water we use and we are now pumping water out of the moat for the Vegetable Garden. We have perforated hoses round the climbing vegetables so that when we use tap water it goes directly onto the roots.  We do not water everything and have lost quite a few of our lettuce plants but this is an unusually hot spell of weather.

We are picking the soft fruit- white, black and red Currants, Strawberries and a few Raspberries. A flock of small birds have been feeding on the pea- Kelvedon Wonder, and even though we have netted the peas they are still managing to get inside. We are digging Carrots and new Potatoes, pulling Beetroot and cutting Globe Artichokes.

The rose on the Pergola is American Pillar rose, and the opposite bank of the moat is covered with Daisy and Phlomis.

The Senecio on the bank outside the Greenhouse is in flower and enjoys this sunny south facing situation. In the Greenhouse the Tomatoes have been planted and they will be joined by Basil as an insect repellent. It’s the time to take cuttings and they are in the Greenhouse, but the Orchids have now been placed in the shade between the Greenhouse and the Potting shed where they will spend their summer.

Delphiniums are flowering in the Iris bed, and the blue chicory (Cichorrum pumilum) has supports to prevent it falling onto the Iris bed.

Not long to go before the Daffodil area is mown. The many varieties start flowering from February and the last finished in May, but the hot weather should hasten their demise.

The Bog Garden lost its large willow tree last year and the shade it provided but the plants are adapting well to their new conditions.

The white flowers of Zantedescia brighten the cool shade in the Water Garden and the Honeysuckle growing on the large Holme Oaks is in flower and creating a lovely  perfume.

Hemerocallis and Hosta lining the path are all in flower.

Roses throughout the garden are continuing to delight and with over 104 dead heading is time consuming. Some, such as the Albertine on the front of the Hall will only flower once and have finished for the year but most of the roses on the Pergolas will flower again- if we dead head them.

Whilst enjoying the colourful gravel plants at the bottom of the West lawn look across at the 30ft high flowering white rose- Wedding Day, growing through the tree.

Enjoy the cool shade of the Nut walk- it takes 2-3 weeks in January for the branches to be tied or woven back into the framework. Best done at that time of year after the leaves have dropped and the stems visible.

Last chance to walk through the Ox eye daisy in the Wild Garden before it has its annual cut.

The Fishponds are very exciting now as a wild Orchid (albeit a common spotted orchid!) has been found and a visitor photographed a Four Spotter Chaser, a dragonfly that feeds on mosquitoes, gnats and midges- so a thumbs up to them.

Muntjac have been seen in the garden, moles not so evident, but quite a few squirrels and rabbits. The birdsong is amazing starting with the blackbird at 3.30 am and finishing with the cooing of the Pigeon at 9.30pm. Lots of busy House Martins under the eaves of the Hall and a Kestrel visited the Greenhouse. In the Coffee shop there is a list of the birds spotted in the gardens so please add to the list should you spot any additional ones

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome,

Supports are up in the Vegetable Garden and we are harvesting Beetroot, Carrot, Potatoes, Chard, salad crops and Artichokes. We have picked our first Strawberries, Raspberries and Red currants- which this year have ripened before the Black currants. Th rose growing along the pergola is American Pillar Rose. The Herbs need cutting back and that will be done after the gardens close on Wednesday and either dried, packed in oil or frozen.

The beautiful rose lining the wall to the Potting Shed is Phyllis Bide.

The Iris have been cut back and the bed is now blue with Delphiniums and Catmint. At the back of the bed blue chicory is coming into flower.

The evergreen Cistus Monspeliensis lining the path beside the moat has finished flowering and will now be dead headed and cuttings taken.

The Daffodil area has many different varieties of Daffodils flowering at different times. We are still waiting for them all to completely die back before cutting down. The Cow Parsley, which covered the dying daffodils, has also finished flowering and has now gone to seed. The intention is that it will have dropped its seeds before we cut the area.

Two Weeping Pear line the path to the Bog Garden where Iris Pseudacorus Variegata and Iris Ensata Variegata have been joined by the deep purple Iris Black Gamecock. Last Year a large Willow fell over in this area and this has given the opportunity to rethink this area where the water level constantly changes.

The 2 large White Beam in the Water Garden are providing a lot of shade for the Primula which have taken over from the Hellebores. Hydrangeas and Zantedeschia thrive here and the Hosta and Hemerocallis on the edge of the shade are flourishing.

The Water Lillies are in flower and they all originated from a friend clearing out a small garden pond 10 years ago. A little goes a long way if they like the habitat.

June is the month for roses, and we have 104. Do look across the Moat from the West lawn at the magnificent display from Wedding Day climbing through the tree. Fragrant, with clusters of lemon-white blooms growing up to 30 ft- what’s not to like?

At the bottom of the West lawn the gravel is now a riot of colour. Some of the plants found their own way there and some were dropped as seeds. It’s a constant battle to prevent  Verbena Bonariensis and Ox eye daisy taking over. However, the Ox eye daisy is welcome in the Wild Garden where you can wander waist deep through it before reaching the bench at the bottom of the path. Somewhere to sit and look across the moat and contemplate?

The sheep have finished mowing the Car Park and been moved back to the Water Meadow. The birdsong is magnificent but unfortunately the bark of the Muntjac at 5 am is not a good start to the day. The first Dragonfly have hatched. Little Grebe are active diving on the Moat and at 6pm it is lovely watching the House Martins, and occasionally swallow, swooping across the fishponds scooping up water.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

IMG_5403 2

Welcome

They say be careful what you wish and the rain has arrived in bucket loads. Fortunately the weather has stayed warm and the rain is not continuous but enough to give the plants a good drink.

It’s a busy time in the garden with cutting down, dead heading, planting vegetables and tying in with so many jobs needing doing at once. Definitely the time to make a plan.

The spikes of soft yellow flowers by the Vegetable Garden gate are Sisyrinchium, a clump forming evergreen perennial.

In the Vegetable Garden we are digging early Potatoes, pulling Beetroot and picking Chard, Cabbage and salad crops. The Herb Garden is flourishing, and we have had our first Strawberries. Straw was placed beneath the strawberries to protect them from mud splash from the rain- just in the nick of time. We are running out of space.

Sorrell is quite an unusual plant and we have just cut our row of Sorrel before it seeds- along the far wall-. It has a lemon flavour and is good for stuffing fish or melted down with butter to make a sauce. Worth a try.

We have planted our tomatoes in the Greenhouse – a variety called Marmande which is later to fruit than some but has very tasty large fruits. All our vegetable crops start life in the greenhouse as a protection from wildlife.

The Iris have finished flowering and are now cut down to prevent wind rock. Delphiniums are taking their place and the tall plant on the bank behind this bed is Cichorrum pumilum or blue Chicory .

The daffodils have not completely died down so these areas cannot be cut yet. We have fed them with blood fish and bone and the rain has watered it in.

In the Bog Garden the water Iris in flower are Pseudacorus Variegata  ( yellow flower) and Laevigata Variegata( purple flower).

The West Lawn is a riot of colour with Paeonies and many varieties of Poppy but it is the roses who take centre stage at this time of year. With over 100 roses in the garden it is impossible to give credit to their versatilities when it comes to growing and choosing a position for planting. There is a map of the roses in the Coffee shop for you to identify a favourite you might have seen.

There are a few spaces left to go round the garden with me – 2pm on Wednesday 18^th June, if you would be interested to know more about the roses and the summer planting.

We have had Muntjac in the garden and you will see the scuffs made by the rabbits. Many birds – names recorded in the Coffee Shop but please add to the list if you have recognised another. The Heron was seen with a large fish in its beak rising from the Moat and the Hebridean sheep have almost successfully finished their task of mowing the Car Parks.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker                                                  

Welcome

June has arrived and with it the prospect of rain. Until last week we had not had rain for 8 weeks and, apart from pots, only water the plants in the Vegetable Garden. We don’t use sprinklers but try to water at the roots by using perforated hoses.

(The grass on the West Lawn has suffered from lack of water but elsewhere not too badly).

In the Vegetable Garden we are picking Chard, Salad crops and Beetroot, cutting Artichokes and digging up our early Potatoes. We are still planting Beans and Cucurbita and have picked our first Sweet Peas.

Strawberries are having straw placed underneath the fruits to keep them off the ground and the Asparagus is allowed to go to seed.

The Delphiniums are flowering in the Iris bed and the Iris are about to be cut to prevent wind rock damaging their surface rhizomes.

The Daffodil area is having a feed of blood fish and bone. We used to feed after they were cut down but last year changed to this earlier feeding plan.

The Bog Garden is looking good with Iris Pseudacorus Variegata and the purple flowers of Iris Laevigata Variegata. The larger thuggish yellow Iris Pseudacorus used to dominate this area, but we have moved them to alongside the Moat where they are defending the banks from erosion from the springs within the Moat. Look towards the stand of Pleached Hornbeam to see them now in flower.

The Autumn border has woken up and primula are flowering throughout the Water Garden.

The white roses growing largely in shade at the end of the stream path are R. Moschata Nastarana.

To identify our roses look at the map provided in the Coffee Shop

Orange, pinks and purples shout out in the West lawn flower beds. Try strolling between the brick Pergola planted with roses, then turn right along the gravel with its self-seeded plants, then right again up through the shade of the Nut Walk. If you were then to turn left you would be into the Wild Garden with its waist high Ox Eye daisies taking over from the spring bulbs. Lots more to see if you walk round the east side of the Hall or return by crossing the new bridge beside the Holiday Cottage.

Wildlife is much as stated last week except the sheep have been moved. The Hebrideans are now in the overflow Car park where they are enjoying munching their way through the grass and we are enjoying not having to cut it.

Pause in your travels to listen to the birds. We are blessed with a huge assortment and their sightings are recorded in the Coffee Shop- please add to the list if you see different birds

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome

As you enter, the pretty rose along the Coffee Shop wall is Keith Maughan- also to be seen growing up into a Ginkgo tree beyond the Greenhouse.

Lots to do in the Vegetable Garden as we plant the Beans and Peas replacing the Winter Broccoli, Chard and Cabbage. The Asparagus is now left to go to seed and potatoes are earthed up.

The standard Gooseberries in the centre of the Herb Garden have been netted to thwart the birds

The multitude of white flowers above the Seneccio lining the banks of the moat is Cystis Monspeliensis.

In the Dell Epimediums surround the dead tree trunk and flourish in the dry shade.

Two Weeping Pear ( Pyrus Salicifolia ‘Pendula”) line the path to the Bog Garden where the yellow Iris Pseudacorus Variegata and purple Iris Laevigata Variegata are in flower.

A large Willow fell last year and this area is “work in progress”- not helped by the Ducks chopping the variegated grass- Phalaris arundinacea?

Lining the path in the Water Garden are Primula Pulverentula and the large shrub with red flowers is Crinodendron Hookerianum Gay

The prolific rose on the side of the stone bridge in front of the Hall  is Pink Bells with Rhus Cotinus Purpurea behind it.

Climbing on the wall beside the Porch are the pink leaves of Actinidia Kolomikta.  On the facing wall are the tiny pink flowers of Jasminum beesianum Forrest & Diels.

In the flower beds of the West Lawn bright orange Poppies catch the eye whereas the delicate flowers of Helianthemum beside the Moat, are often overlooked.

In the gravel at the bottom of the West Lawn geranium Psilostemon with its bright pink flowers stand out but growing amongst it can be seen Verbascum, Nigella, Alchemilla Mollis, Thrift, Ox eye daisy and  Verbena Bonariensis.

The bulbs have disappeared from the Wild Garden and waist high Ox eye daisy and Buttercups have taken over.

Hydrangea Petoliaris climbs to the top of the Wall at the back of the Wild Garden where it happily grows unsupported and in shade.

At the back of the Hall Paeonia Kelways Glorious is in flower beneath rose Zepherine Druhin with Rambling Rector covering the Holiday Cottage wall.

The House Martins are back in force and seen this week in the gardens were Black Cap, Chaffinch, Woodlark, Yellow Hammer, Wagtail, Red Start, Chiffchaff and Greenfinch. If you see other birds please add them to the list we keep in the Coffee Shop.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome.

Still no rain in Norfolk. We are picking the last of the Asparagus, and have Spring Cabbage and Chard. Beetroot, Onions, Beans and Peas have been planted and Potatoes earthed over.

The evergreen Cystis Monspeliensis is a mass of white flowers lining the path by the Greenhouse- all grown from cuttings from a single plant bought 25 years ago.

The flower growing up the furthest Ginkgo tree is the beautiful rose Keith Maughan. It is also growing up the wall at the side of the Coffee Shop. It’s a Peter Beales rose named after an Attlebridge school master who died young.

The Blue Iris have replaced the white Iris in the Iris Bed and Delphiniums are appearing above the Nepeta- Walkers Low.

The Paulownia in the daffodil area is shedding its flowers which are festooning the path beneath. Cow Parsley is covering the Daffodils as we wait for them to die back.

Work is in progress in the Bog Garden where we are recovering from the fallen Willow. The yellow Iris in flower is Pseudacorus Variegata and the Magenta Candelabra Primula is P. Pulverentula.

The Chestnut with its bright pink flowers can be seen at the back of the Autumn Border. In front, Hydrangea Petiolaris is climbing 20ft up the tall Pine.

Hosta and Hemerocallis line the path beside the stream. Beneath the deep shade of the Flowering May can be seen, variegated Hosta, Bergenia, Solomons Seal and Acanthus.

The roses on the front of the Hall are Albertine, Rambling Rector and Banksia Lutea. A map of the roses grown in the Garden can be seen in the Coffee Shop.

The West Lawn packs a punch with blue, mauve, orange and Schiaparelli pink plants all on display (Cistus, Alliums, Geraniums, Poppies and Iris). But don’t miss the delicate colours of the Helianthemum lining the banks of the Moat. In the gravel beside the Moat, Geranium Psilostemon is the first to stake its claim but amongst it thrift and euphorbia are in flower.

We have heard many birds including Woodlark, Red start, Kestrel, House Martins, Blackbirds, Tits and of course numerous Pigeons. Carp and Eels as well as millions of tadpoles have been seen both in the Moat and Fishponds where the Black Hebridean sheep continue to munch their way through the grass.

Stay Healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome,

In the Vegetable Garden we have removed the Sprouting Broccoli and given the remnants to the Hebridean Sheep in the Fishponds.

We are at the end of the Chard and are eating Rhubarb, Spring Greens and Asparagus. Plants are gradually leaving the Greenhouse, hardened off and planted out.

The white Iris have been spectacular in the Iris bed this year. They are always the first to flower and have a lovely perfume. The Delphiniums are interplanted and soon the Iris bed will become a Delphinium bed.

In the Daffodil area we are waiting for the Daffodils to die back and encourage Cow Parsley to cover their sad departure. However, the Paulownia or Foxglove tree is in full flower. It is a tender tree and therefore not often seen in English gardens, but its purple flowers are spectacular.

We have cut down the Marsh Marigolds (Caltha Palustris) in the Bog Garden for them to re flower. Primula Pulverentula is the name of the tall cerise Candelabra Primula growing there. Originally, they were lining the path in the Water Garden but have found their way into the Bog Garden where they are enjoying having their feet wet. The first of the water Iris is in flower-Iris Pseudacorus Variegata.

Behind the Autmn Border the pink Chestnut Tree is in flower.

Covering a clump of old stone ruins beside the stream is a pretty pink geranium-Geranium Macrorrhizum or Rock Crane’s Bill. It has no soil to grow from.

You might smell the Choisya on the Water Garden path. It is an evergreen with white flowers, but it is the glossy green leaves that release an aromatic smell when crushed or have the sun on them.

The Wisteria has finished flowering on the front of the Hall and Rambling Rector is the White Rose taking its place.   The delicate yellow flowers of Banksiae Lutea are over the Porch and Actinidia is the artist palette-type leaves on the side wall.

The Daffodils and Primula have gone from the Wild Garden and Cow Parsley is creating a very wild look. The white Ox eye daisy is growing fast and poised ready to take over.

The Greylag Goose eggs have hatched. We found a dead duckling which had fallen between the pot and the Urn. It was Perfect. Where the other 5 Goslings have gone is a total mystery.

Our very welcome House Martins are back and nesting under the eaves at the back of the Hall. There is a swarm of Bees on the West Lawn side of the Hall again up against the eaves. The water in the Moat is very clear and quite a few Carp can be seen. We have also seen Eels and there are/were Tadpoles in the Fishponds. We seem to have a very friendly white duck taking up residence on the Moat and there is a single white Swan in the Fishponds. Oyster Catchers visit, the Heron is a less frequent visitor but sadly not true of the Muntjac.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome

We are taking the opportunity given by dry weather to cut the Box in the Vegetable Garden. This is time consuming as we need to collect the clippings and disinfect the shears between cuts. We then feed the Box.

Vegetable plants, grown in the Greenhouse, all need planting out before they get too leggy and supports need to be put in.

The Iris bed is predominantly white. They are sweetly scented and are always our first to flower. The Delphiniums amongst them will take over after the Iris have finished flowering. Opposite is a flowering tree -Cheals Weeping Cherry.

Blue, white and pink bells are filling the Dell where they enjoy the shade of the huge trees. A large Chestnut blew down in the middle of this area creating a less shady area. We have planted Betula Jaquemontii and are attempting to grow a Camomile lawn beneath.

The beautiful purple flowering tree in the daffodil area is a Paulownia or Foxglove tree. Quite rare to see in gardens and this was planted 20 years ago.

The yellow rose- Canary Bird is in full flower in the daffodil Shrubbery but is best viewed from the West Lawn- across the Moat.

Hosta and Hemerocallis line either side of the path along the stream. Last year we attempted to get the Hosta back into matching sections and this appears to have been successful.

The Tulip along the wall beside the hall is Queen of the night and the delicate yellow rose on the house is Banksiae Lutea. The Wisteria is in full bloom and the artist palette-like flowers of the climbing shrub against the wall is Actinidia Kolomikta.

We still have a Greylag Goose sitting on a nest on top of an urn but the other 3 pots have been replaced by our summer Geraniums and Fuchsia.

We have managed to seal the leak by the sluice gate in the Fishponds and the water is returning. The Fishponds are a scheduled Ancient Monument, and they are mown by the black Hebridean sheep. We have Eels and Tadpoles in the ponds and a Chinese and Domestic Goose.

We used to have annual visits by Swans but the Greylag geese have taken up residence and chase them off. We saw our first Swallow last week and have Goldfinch, Wagtails, Fly catchers and the occasional visit from the Heron.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome

With no sign of rain, we have started to cut the Box in the Vegetable Garden.

We are harvesting Rhubarb, Asparagus, Chard and Broccoli. The Potatoes are showing through the soil, and they are mounded over to exclude the light. Sweet Peas and our Mummies Peas have been planted against the frames and we have some salad seeds in the ground. You will see we use a perforated hose around the frames for watering.

In the Greenhouse the more tender plants have been moved outside to a sheltered position and trays full of germinating seeds are taking their place.

The Dell is looking wild and full of colour with both white, blue and pink “Bluebells” and the wild Honesty flourishing.

The Daffodils are dying down and we encourage Cowslips and Cow Parsley to cover and provide interest as they die back. We haven’t lost yellow from the gardens. In the daffodil area our earliest rose, Canary Bird is in full flower and the Bog Garden is awash with Caltha Palustris (Marsh Marigolds). The yellow tree Paeonia are flowering and on the front of the Hall the delicate rosa Banksiae Lutea is in flower.  The bright yellow flowers of Euphorbia Esula is eye catching in  the West Lawn flower  beds. Dandelions are everywhere and if you were to walk along the pleached hornbeam the pasture on your right is covered with them. It’s a bumper year.

The Spring Bulbs are dying back in the Wild Garden and the Ox Eye Daisy is poised to take over. The Quince Tree is in full flower but the ancient Mulberry is taking his time.

The star of the garden at present is the lilac-purple flowers of the Paulownia in the Daffodil area with its panicles of foxglove-like flowers. Its not seen very often in gardens but we planted this about 20 years ago and look how it rewards us.

The Wisteria on the front of the Hall is in flower and the Tulips along the wall are Queen of the Night.

Wildlife continues to flourish here. Rabbits have removed the heads of the tulips in the Orchard but hopefully now have enough grass to desist. The Greylag Goose is still sitting on 6 eggs in the Urn that was planted with tulips and 2 of the other Urns have less advanced nests with 1 egg laid in each. We have many birds in the gardens and the dawn birdsong is wonderful. Not so wonderful is the dawn bark of the Muntjac- chased out of the garden last week. The Heron has been spotted but the Carp in the Moat are hopefully too large to lift. We have seen eel and there is lots of tadpoles in the Fishponds.

The sluice gate in the Fishponds has sprung a leak. At last we have managed to get the right clay to seal it and return the ponds to the right water level- work in progress.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Welcome,

We still have the sun with us and no sign of rain.

Our Vegetables are started off in the Greenhouse (protection from wildlife). Although the soil is now warm enough for them to be planted out the lack of moisture in the soil is causing us to hesitate.

We are picking Rhubarb and Sprouting Broccoli, some Chard and the first Asparagus. Potatoes are in the ground and supports are being placed in readiness for the plants.

In the Dell the elegant flowers of Epimedium Versicolor are making a striking display. They are growing on the mound surrounding an ancient tree stump. It is dry and shady and they are providing excellent ground cover for this inhospitable spot. Elsewhere the Bluebells are coming into flower and they will soon carpet this area.

There is a leak to the Dam in the Fishponds which is causing the water to drain. We are on the case but it is taking time to get the right materials required to block the hole.

Lots of daffodils/ narcissus still to see in the daffodil area. The white flowering trees in the Shrubbery are Snowy Mespilus otherwise known as Amelanchier.

The bright yellow plants in the Bog Garden are Marsh Marigold or Caltha Palustris. It is considered an oxygenator plant but despite its advantages we find it does need to be controlled and somehow it has already spread into the Fishponds.

Lots of pretty Primula flowering in the Water Garden and look out for the yellow Erythronium Pagoda which is enjoying this damp shady spot. The Hellibores have been in flower since January. Notoriously promiscuous, I was pleased and surprised to spot one which was almost black.

On the front of the Hall the Clematis Armandii is finishing but the bed of Rose de Rescht beneath it has tulips and alliums coming up. 5 years ago the squirrels ate 100 tulips planted in this bed. I planted alliums as they wouldn’t like the onion smell, but the alliums overwhelmed the roses and so 2 years ago we took them out and moved them to the Orchard. Watch this space.

The 4 beautiful urns of tulips on the West Lawn are reduced to 3 because a Greylag Goose has made her nest on the top of one of the urns. Oleander are the small trees in the terracotta pots and we use the wool from the Hebridean sheep to line all the pots- much appreciated by nesting birds especially the Greylag who uses it as a blanket to cover the eggs when she leaves the nest.

The Wild Garden is looking at its best with Fritillaria, Anemone Blanda, Primula and the band of white Leucojum lining the sides of the Moat. Purple Vinca (periwinkle) has elegantly draped itself around the little bench. The wild daffodil Narcissus Pseudonarcissus has finished flowering, but different varieties of daffodil have started to appear. The Wild Garden is cut just once a year but apart from that largely left to its own devices.

The water in the Moat is very clear and from the first-floor window of the Hall shoals of fish can clearly be seen.

We have many birds nesting including Wagtails, Flycatchers, Oystercatchers and Tits and a strange lone white duck has appeared.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker