sdr

Not a weedy thistle!

This “scotch thistle” (onopordum acanthium) was probably not planted deliberately but is quite a sight! They are said to top 2.5 metres if well fed….but this one has managed quite well without tlc!  Elsewhere we have been waging war on c ...

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 ...

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The periploca up close

Our periploca graeca, also known as a silk vine, is precious to us because we believe it once ranged over one of Peto’s two treillage pergolas across the croquet lawn. So we were thrilled when one of our talented volunteers did a lovely painting of ...

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Iris adding to the stumpery

The stumpery is maturing nicely, with the ferns filling out and iris adding colour. So the walk down the glade to the tenboudai with views onto the fishing lakes is even more of a treat, with the rill running after rain, a lovely new Japanese style bridge ...

dav

Rainbow border is in the making

The dahlias that brought such colour to the walled kitchen garden have over-wintered fine and Sam and Richard are adding more, to extend the border – so it should be spectacular this year! After the light rains we have had, the main jobs of the day ...

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 ...

bty

Euphorbia rules ok!

The Italian garden has gone green – the euphorbia and solomon seal have grown huge now it has rained! Set against the green are splashes of colour from helianthemum, irises, alliums, roses and osteospermum; and the lupins are coming. Sue got her wad ...

bty

Tranquillity

It was a lovely day, between cold weekends, so volunteers spread out across the Gardens, to hoe, weed & tidy-up while enjoying the tranquillity, birdsong and warmth in the sunshine. It is amazing how good the Gardens can look without rain. The blossom ...

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Bridge building at the Gardens

Roger, Rod and David made great progress on the new bridge over the rill in the Gardens this week; and Claire went off to buy the paint for the finishing touches. Unfortunately it is not quite ready in time for the Open Day this Sunday. But elsewhere the ...

bdr

The joys of Spring

Sunshine, flowers, company, a bit of manual work and coffee and cake – the joys of spring for our volunteers! Ruth, Valerie and Maggie got to enjoy it in the Italian garden where the autumn planted tulips are looking great. Others worked on the stum ...

bty

The waterlilies are back in the pond!

The pond is nearly full again and looked fabulous today in bright sunshine. Terry, Jane and Valerie returned the waterlilies to their planters, while Christine worked on putting back the oxygenator plants to the pond.  Sue will be sourcing a range of marg ...

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Japanese area is taking shape

Jacqueline and crew planted bamboo today, having planted shrubs and trees last week, and showed visitors from the U3A a detailed drawing of how the Japanese area will look when it matures. Peto’s inspiration is alive and well – but our moss ro ...