Masses of our snowdrops are flowering and looking so wonderful. it is always a great relief to see our old friends re-appearing and even more so when last year's expensive purchases emerge from winter's cold grip.I had forgotten how stunning Ivington Green is and i am...

Despite the cold weather early this January our snowdrops are well ahead and several of the loveliest are already flowering. Lapwing, which is one of our favourites with its intriguing markings visible without the need for close examination, is now in full flower and...

Our NGS open days will soon be upon us Saturday and Sunday 7th and 8th February 11 - 3.30 so we are working hard to make ready. in the course of pruning the lovely rose Rosenstadt Freisling i couldn't bear to throw the wonderful hips away so put them in a vase. Many...

in spite of the continuing lack of rain (only 2.5 inches since the beginning of April) the roses are looking wonderful and there is colour everywhere. Sometimes plants have seeded into brilliantly clashing mixes as with the Poppy Laurens Grape with its delicious wine...

Miraculously the sun shone on both the days we were open - the only sunny days in weeks of cloud and rain. So despite the worry about parking (our fields were too sodden and cars had to park in our drive) everything went well and as usual the visitors were delightful,...

Only a couple of days to go before we welcome visitors to see our snowdrops as part of the NGS Snowdrop Festival. We are praying for some sunny days to make the snowdrops glisten and lift everyone's spirits. It has been so wet recently that we will not be able to use...

In those depressing grey days since Christmas it has lifted my spirits to walk round the garden and spot the emerging snowdrops. Several old friends have shown themselves already. Three Ships was flowering in early December and Mrs Macnamara was not far behind. To our...

November again! My least favourite month with absolutely nothing to recommend it. This year it has started off with nothing but grey skies but it is so mild that the garden is full of colour which is some compensation. Cyclamen hederifolium are looking wonderful and i...

Late July and the the continuous rain and cloud which has spoiled so many outdoor events has been wonderful for the garden. Everything has flourished in the warm damp atmosphere, which is quite unlike out usual arid conditions. The growth has been remarkable though...

After this last winter of endless rain at long last we have had a few days when the sun has shone and there has been no wind. Time to look around. This garden is usually very dry and to have so much rain in April and May has been a bonanza really and resulted in...