20200806_112335

Another little stepping stone

Our next big restoration project will be the balustrading around the lilypond. But while we are putting the plans for that into place and fundraising for it, we have funded the laying of a few additional slabs to make it easier to cross from the restored ...

veg 030720

Veg aplenty

It was so lovely to greet our first visitors to the Gardens since lockdown eased and to have a good selection of veg on offer for them. Our volunteers enjoyed the opportunity to chat to the visitors as they explored the Gardens. Maybe the sun will also sh ...

20200625_120402

The battle against box moths

Box tree caterpillars can eat their way through all the leaves on box bushes/trees and there can be 2 or 3 caterpillar hatchings a year. The moths were first reported in Britain in 2007 and are now widespread in London and the South East, so we have been ...

bty

We’re getting ready

well, nearly ready, for the snowdrop open days on 16 and 23 February. Spring cleaning of Daisy’s will be the last job on the list, but we are crossing off the rest: this week, painting the viewing platform at the bottom of the glade, next week finis ...

bty

Golden in the sunshine

The golden yews were shining today and, turning our thoughts to warmer times to come, we hatched plans to take cuttings so that we can replace those we have had to remove and we have back-up should any more succumb to phytophthora. Work continued on the n ...

japanese monks august 2019

Japanese style gardening

Is Steph channelling the Japanese gardeners that Monty Don met, who were removing grass from moss gardens blade by blade? The monks and the rest of the Gardens are looking fit for visitors on Sunday for our first ever celebration  of our Japanese Garden h ...

sdr

Stunning!

Open Day visitors on Sunday will love the walled garden and the Italian garden – they are looking stunning! The restoration of the stone steps is nearly finished too. Maggie, our archivist, has also done great work in digging out new stories and pic ...

dav

Sitting pretty

Visitors on Sunday will be able to see Colchester Institute students’ Japanese themed pieces in the Glade, including these monks, who are nestled in next to the rill. The weather is set fair so why not join us? The Voodoo lilies are flowering specta ...

shield bug May 2019

Bugs, animals and flowers

The Gardens are blooming and looking fabulous; perfect for  Sunday’s Open Day, when we celebrate the nature in our Gardens. This shield bug was enjoying the sunshine on a rose leaf; the bumble bees were out in force, particularly enjoying the rosema ...