Glorious Daphne brings a hint of summer

Rounding a corner of the garden on a freezing dark day I was suddenly aware of the most delicious scent filling the air. It is Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ which we planted 15 years ago and is now about twelve feet high. Every branch and twig is...
Colour in the gloom

Colour in the gloom

In these long grey days it is important to keep one’s spirits up. You must take pleasure where you can in these dreary December days of lockdown. My spirits lift when I see the brave bright yellow of the winter jasmine (jasmine nudiflorum). It has no scent...
The snowdrop season begins

The snowdrop season begins

Despite the recent snow and dreadful rainy weather (more than an inch already) our snowdrops are emerging. We have had Peter Gatehouse and Donald Sims in flower for several weeks but I really think of them as autumn snowdrops. Now the first of the real early snowdrops...
Brilliant Berries

Brilliant Berries

Not all is gloom in the garden even now in dank November. The berries and fruit are especially wonderful this year, perhaps because of last year’s mild winter which allowed more pollinating insects to survive. Cratageus prunifolia was spectacular though now past...
Lavender

Lavender

The lavender is looking superb! it is absolutely humming with bees both honey bees and bumbles. The weather has been perfect for it with little splashes of rain and lovely warm sunshine in between.The garden will be open this coming Sunday 19th July and Monday 20th...