Update from the Gardens – April 2024

Posted on April 23rd, 2024

The early flowering shrubs have started to take over from the magnolia’s, with the Deutzia x rosea looking particularly magnificent.

Our roses are also starting to come into flower.  The pale pink climber (which has a glorious scent) was first, but the Rosa rugosa ‘Rubra’ was a close second.

Equally sweet smelling are all the lilac in bloom in the garden.  We have both common lilac (Syringa vulgari) and very little leaf lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla ‘Superba’)

Another highlight are the Tree peonies (Paeonia × suffruticosa) in the East Border. The blooms dont last very long so come and see them before they are gone.

Jobs for April

• Weeding.  Try and get them while they are small.  If you have a patch to weed at home, little and often will pay off and be kinder on knees and backs.
• We have been sowing hardy and half hardy annuals in the greenhouse.  The sun flowers and nasturtium are doing particularly well, as are the cornflowers.  The progress of the perennial herb seedlings (creeping thyme and chamomile) has been less dramatic, but I hope the warmer weather forecast for the end of April will help bring them along.
• At last we have begun the seasons mowing!  Our machine was away on its winter holiday (aka having a service) but we now have it back, looking shiny and good as brand new, and we are chomping at the bit to get the grass under control.  Warm wet weather has meant lots of lush growth, so we will be tackling the taller sections in stages.  If you have very long grass at home, start on your mowers highest cut settings or you will do more harm than good.
• We have also started clipping out box topiary.  The ‘balls’ in the cottage garden are looking smart.  Next up, the hedges in the rose garden.

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