Gardener's Day Off!!

 

  Head Gardener took a day off to visit another garden!! One she'd been meaning to visit forever - the gardens at Bryan's Ground (https://www.bryansground.co.uk/).  The house and gardens have been sold and today was the very last day the gardens were open under the present ownership. To say I was cutting things a tad fine would be true!! Accompanied by the most delightful birdsong on a glorious May day we explored these enchanting gardens. The hard work, humour, clever design, brilliant planting was so apparent at every turn.

Bryan's Ground Photo Album

IN THE GARDEN - Wisteria Hysteria & Architectural Appreciation!

 So much been happening in the garden & little time for blog posts!  The weather has been consistently appalling with gales, heavy rain and hail which blasted down like razor blades.  It was a wonder the Wisteria even lived!  Such a shame when it was in full bloom.  However it stood up to these rigours pretty well and was sheer joy.  this year we were a National Garden Scheme nominated Wisteria garden and, despite the weather, enjoyed having visitors who came to admire it.

So lovely that we decided to expose its truck which, hitherto had been completely obscured by a Jasminum nudiflorum.  This work is ongoing and some areas of the house wall will be in much need of painting.

Away from the Wisteria for a moment - a few weeks back, I was lucky enough to be given a really pretty aged copper finial (by a certain Chris Pugh) with a fabulous green patina.  Historically, these finials were used to protect the tops of telegraph poles from the weather. Last Saturday, Chris Genever came and it now stands tall and proud on the House for Hens.

Hopefully, the girls appreciate their major architectural upgrade!!

Pond Pump Probs!

 Since Open Gardens, we've had heavy rain and high winds every day!! Not the sort of weather you need the pond pump to fail! Chris Genever was nearby and 10 minutes later had disconnected and removed the offending pump!  A new one was ordered and so today Chris Pugh placed the replacement pump in position and reconnected the water pipes.  We now await further expertise to return it to full service.  The garden just doesn't seem the same without the sounds of trickling water!

It seemed a tad weird to be doing the usual Saturday seasonal garden work but without the pressure of open gardens.  Same jobs, same priorities just no pressure!  Chris gave the hedges a light trim, strimmed and edged.  I planted out some Nemesia, a couple of Phlox, Scabious, Sweet William and potted on a load of rooted Dianthus cuttings.

A small group of garden visitors are expected on Tuesday so lets hope the weather picks up for them!

NGS May Open Gardens.

Following over a month of persistent frosts and hardly any rain, we've been in recovery following a hugely successful garden opening for the National Garden Scheme.  We had approx 135 visitors and made a WHOPPING £1,168.50!!  How amazing is THAT?  We owe a huge debt of thanks to Lindy, Lyn and Sheila for selling so many homemade teas.  Also Pat & Brian for borrowing and delivering all the tables and chairs and especially Pat for making such a huge number of cales!  Malc & Paul supervised parking and 

everybody brought sunshine!! One very enthusiastic visitor was so complimentary, I wasn't going to resist sharing these comments from the visitor book!!  It certainly makes all the hard work totally worthwhile. A BIG thank you to all our visitors, helpers and supporters!!

Better Late than Never!!

 A whole nineteen days later than last year - the vegetable plot is at long last all planted up!!  The polar temperatures and persistent daily frosts this month massively delayed things but we're there!  Thanks to Chris, the ground was manured and  prepared some weeks ago.  As it's a relatively small plot I've squeezed in 4 rows of Arran Pilots, 1 of Early Onwards, 1 of Aquadulce, 2 of Autumn Kings and a few Giant Stuttgardts.  There is of course room for runner beans and lettuces when things warm up even more.

One thing's for certain!  After such a long delay, the seed potatoes were certainly well chitted!!

Throne Square!

 This magnificent additional plant throne arrived yesterday - courtesy of Chris Pugh!!  Full of woodworm and a torn seat meant immediate treatment was dispensed and a pot of Primulas installed.  Up on the top terrace, we now have a total of three thrones - all homes to plants and a seat for weary gardeners!!  

First Visitors of 2021!

 

Well actually not quite.  The very first were Kempsey Ladies Circle who visited last week.  Sadly for them it was one of the many Arctic April days with glacially low temperatures & biting north east winds.  These hardy enthusiasts deserved The Garden Explorers' Award of Courage!!  It was far too cold to think of using a camera! However, it transpired that had visited before in September 2016.  At least they saw the garden in its (winter during) spring livery!

Today, we welcomed two more visitors from Malvern who had the foresight to bring sunshine! Always a wise move.  Despite the still cool temperatures, they at least, were able to sit outside for their homemade teas and it was even warm enough for a quick photo shoot!  Sadly, they took the sunshine with them when they left so it's back to polar temperatures!