We are now in March, the leaf clearance has come to an end and we are looking forwards to spring. It’s been a very mild winter, little sign of frost and relatively dry to. There are signs of spring are everywhere. Mass plantings of Narcissus ‘February Gold’ and snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) can be seen along the entrance driveway making impressive sight.
Two flowering trees also stand out in the garden Cornus mas Cornelian Cherry a small tree that is smothered in tidy yellow flowers and the pale pink winter flowering cherry Prunus autumnalis planted as part Queen Jubilee tree plantings. Massed Hellebores plantings can also be seen across the site, in the walled garden and white border.
The gardeners have been busy as usual. The Decorative Gardeners have been continuing to cut back and mulch the herbaceous borders, leaving behind manicured and well mulched beds. Buds of Tulips and Peonies can already be seen emerging, offering exciting insight into the season to come. As the team work through these beds, they are also able to prune and train shrubs and climbing plants.
In the heated glasshouse, the kitchen gardener is chitting (forcing into growth under glass) early potato varieties, sowing vegetable and cut flower seeds for the cut flower garden., using hazel coppice cut from the wider estate to create magnificent structures, which climbing sweet pea plants will overrun.
In addition to the seed sowing, we are also potting on herbaceous perennials. Brought in as plug plants many of these plants will be grown on and eventually form part of container displays across the site. Some will be used to brighten up containers in Ore village, and the rest will be available to purchase by visitors when we open the gardens as part of the National Garden Scheme on August 19th and 20th. Tickets on sale soon.