Monday 20 April 2015

Spring Round-up

I always feel that Spring is really giving way to summer when the magnolias start to drop their petals, the cherries put on their coat of young leaves, and the boldest of the wisteria buds open their eyes a crack to see whether it's time to signal the others to come out.

So, with a light frost last night reminding us that we're never far from a relapse, here is a pictorial round up of the beautiful spring we've had.

Grape Hyacinth and Cherries











Here it comes...

Wednesday 8 April 2015

Hidden Easter Chocolate?

Someone asked us at the weekend whether we had put a trail of chocolate in the garden.  "Not knowingly", we responded.  They enquired as to the intense chocolate scent spread through the terraces and up even as far as the mail pond.

Puzzled, we went to investigate.  And after a little searching the source of this scent, which was indeed an intense chocolate vanilla toffee, as strong as if it were being melted on the hob just next to you, was this Azara, a charming large shrub / small tree which we cosset every winter as it isn't very hardy, but which I'd never actually noticed flowering before.  Pungent stuff.
Meanwhile, the box trees are also flowering - more delicate in scent by a lovely woodiness mixed in with the sweetness.
Elsewhere in the garden it's the magnolia, rosemary lilies and spring flowers that are showing off, but it's always nice to let the trees get in on the act too!


Spring Opening 2015


We welcomed our first visitors of the year last week.
 Although there may not be much flora above ground yet, thanks to the sunshine on Easter Monday the garden showed Harold Peto's strength of design.
 In April, we are offering our visitors a little 'thank you'.  When you purchase entry to the garden this month, you'll get a ticket to come back later in the season without charge.  So why not take advantage of this opportunity to see the garden in the early season as well as later in the summer?  (Not available in conjunction with any other offer)
 (Above: Arum Lily in Loggia Pond)
(Above and Below: Cherry Blossom above the main lawn)
  More cherry blossom in the low spring evening sunlight
Our first Peacock Butterfly for the year.
  (Below: our rather large cercidiphyllum clothed in a bronzed chiffon gown of buds)