After a spring and summer of mixed weather our massed display of hydrangeas on the far hillside are still looking spectacular. As the soil in that part of the garden is very acidic, we get the intense blues and purples appearing in the flowers. It is a long continuous stretch of colour winding its way down the hillside, interspersed now and again with patches of white hydrangeas and even the rosy, purple blooms of different varieties. As they are planted in semi-shade the petals have held their colour well, unlike hydrangeas planted in full sun which quickly fade to brown. A small observation that proves its best to plant hydrangeas under trees. We do prune our hydrangeas regularly after they are finished flowering.
Above these hydrangeas along the top of the hill is a planting of Hydrangea paniculata forms. These shrubby bushes are now covered in a glorious show of white and cream panicles of flowers and will be for the next couple of months. As the flowers mature on some varieties, they take on pinkish-red tinges which eventually turn red in autumn. This type of Hydrangea has become a very popular plant in the last few years and many new cultivars are being introduced onto the gardening market.
Around the lakes colour from herbaceous plants still continues and the large bed by the middle lake which was cleared and intensely dug over in the winter and planted up in late spring has given a continuous display of interesting combinations of colour and shapes. This area has been one of several projects we have done in the past year, and we are continuing to rejuvenate areas of the garden as they get old and uninteresting. Many more are to be done this winter including revamping the bog garden with new and colourful plants, a job which would have been done before now if we didn’t get so much rain in the winter. We have already started clearing it in the hope we get it done before this year’s winters rain descends on it.
Another project we did last winter was to clear the ivy off the wall of the walled garden and dig over the south facing border, and we planted a colourful mix of dahlias and Salvias in late spring which are now coming to the peak of their flowering. It is a hot sunny border ideal for these two popular plants.
At this top part of the garden near to the entrance the two herbaceous borders are still giving a riot of colour. At present the deep reds of the Persicaria are mingling with yellow Kniphofias and white Leucanthemeum but shortly the numerable forms of the Asters will weave their blue flowers and continue well into November.
As autumn approaches and the trees take on their stunning display of autumn colour there is still a wealth of colour and interest to be had in September and October and we are open till the end of October.
There are lots of interesting plants for sale in the Plant Sales area. Asters, Kniphofias and other herbaceous plants as well as Camellias and some unusual shrubs.
The Tea room is still open in September and October. Lunches and of course cream teas and cakes make an enjoyable end to a wonderful walk around the gardens.
