Aha, there’s my lippy
Peony ‘Molly the witch’ closes its petals when it rains
A heart shape hazel Peony support
The very regal Osmunda regalis
Would you like forget-me nots with that madam?
with cowslips?
with Lysimachia?
with Iris?
or on their own?
There is no doubt about it, my heart is filled with joy!
Muscari..
Little darlings
I love these with the foliage draping over the wall
and these that look like mushroom flowers! So cute in a container
with Primulas and Dicentra. Â Fine in a shady place
Delicious Tulips… I’m a sucker for the ‘Lily-flowered’ varieties
and the ones that look frosted
(oops forgot to deadhead that Hydrangea)
Last year we didn’t get around to pruning the Wisteria in January. The flowers and the leaves arrived at the same time. Â This year I thought we were being rather brutal in January with our pruning regime but I was determined to get the flowers first, foliage second.
This is how the buds looked after our January pruning
And now we look at the developing buds, all flower buds and few leaves… I can’t wait for next week now…
I guess the moral in the story is you MUST prune in January.
Watch this space for the finale..
Better, but not as good as this one…
A lovely spring afternoon encouraged a record number of visitors to make the journey to Newtimber Place yesterday afternoon.  In fact 740 visitors in total, found their way to the gardens to enjoy a stroll and afternoon tea. The atmosphere  was both relaxing and convivial.
The Clays and I would like to thank everyone for coming – both visitors and volunteers and to those who waited so patiently to park and manoeuvre their vehicles around the property.
A grand total of 4000 pounds was raised for charity from the entrance money and the teas.
 Andrew and Carol Clay, the owners of Newtimber Place, put in a tremendous amount of effort, as always, to make the day a success.  I would like to say ‘Well Done’ and thank you for sharing your delightful garden with us all.
The new raised beds for veg were still looking pretty empty yesterday and panic set in. Â Time to get a move on. Â Not before finishing tying-Â in the climbing rose by the wall first though… it’s got buds already, but better late than never
That done, pea sticks for peas, wigwam for runner beans, supports for broad beans are in, and French beans sown
Just time to add a small frame for sweet peas and that bed is done
I can’t help get distracted by the views
And must make time to enjoy the Spring garden, otherwise what is the point?
Those yellow Fritillary Imperialis are just knock-out.
Leek seeds are sown direct in the raised bed with the onions and garlic and the last task is to place an order for root veg seeds that we should have done weeks ago.
Another satisfying morning in the garden. Â I love my job!
Hopefully you will see the bright red shoots of peonies in your borders now, just about to unfurl their spring leaves. Â With the on going drying warm weather in the South of England, there is no time like the present to put your plant supports in place.
Once in bloom the plants can just about support the flowers it produces without extra support but with a heavy rain or blustery day, the flowers get so heavy or thrown around that they often fall onto the ground, break their stems and the moment is lost.
If you leave the staking until the plant is flowering, the soil has quite often become so hard and dry, it is difficult to get the stakes in the ground making the job an unhappy task rather than a creative opportunity.
Today Bea got stuck in using a mixture of Dogwood and Willow. Â both were coppiced 6 weeks ago and still had plenty of pliability to create these lovely swirly domes:
Unfortunately my photography does them no justice…
Please excuse my finger in the shot!
This week we have been digging up and dividing the Dahlias;
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and not to mention it is for charity and delicious tea and cakes will be served
Where we have
flowers as gifts – very very lovely Tulips, Gerberas, Chrysanths and a Rose
Versus
flowers from the garden – just as lovely, Narcissi, Hellebores and Kerria japonica
Eyes are on the garden too, for star performers
Forsythia
Cowslips
Sanguisorba – early foliage
Primulas
Ribes sp.
The cutest…Narcissi canaliculatus
Leucojum gravetye
Quite a feast this week 🙂
Do come along, wander around the garden and through the woods and then sit awhile to enjoy the delicious tea and cakes for sale.
The cherry trees will hopefully be in full blossom, whilst the Fritillaries nod their flower heads amongst the Narcissi in the Wild garden.
The moat is still quite clear in places, to see the water-lily leaves growing madly towards the surface.
The herbaceous borders are just growing away with little in flower at this time of year, however there are  ancient trees to try and identify and still views a  plenty to wonder  at…
Sunday 2 – 5.30pm
