Dorset & Hampshire Country Gardener May 2025

Dorset & Hampshire

Issue No 226 MAY 2025 FREE

www.countrygardener.co.uk

LUSCIOUS

lavender!

PLUS:

The socialite garden designer

Mind the birds nesting

Garden beauty arrives at railway stations

Cut flowers

Hardening off

What’s in a (latin) botanical name

G GA AR RD DE EN N C CE EN NT TR RE E •• FF A AR RM M SS H HO OP P ••

TOBY’S GARDEN FESTIVAL Powderham Castle, Friday 2nd May and Saturday 3rd May Preview

Gardens open galore in May Gardening news and events throughout Dorset & Hampshire

O OW WT TO ON N ’’ SS B BU UT TC CH HE ER R SS •• T TH HE E N N AT AT U UR RE E C CO O LL LL E EC CT T II V VE E •• TT H H EE O O RR A AN NG G EE RY RY TT EE A A H HO OU U SS EE

Fontley Road, Titchfield, Fontley Road, Titchfield, Hampshire PO15 6QX Hampshire PO15 6QX 01329 844336 01329 844336 www.garsons.co.uk www.garsons.co.uk

ALL WEATHER CANOPIES

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West Parley

Stuckton

www.basketsnblooms.co.uk 392 Christchurch Rd. W. Parley, BH22 8SW 9am - 5pm Mon - Sat 10am - 4pm Sundays Blooms Cafe at our West Parley branch - tasty local produce for an even more pleasurable visit

Cell Pack Bedding plants £3.50 tray Patio/Baskets plants £1.85 ea. 18 for £25 Large pot bedding - Dahlias, Marguerites, Osteospermum, New Guineas etc. From £3 Hanging pots & baskets 14" £19.99 Cottage Garden Perennials 3 litre from £6 Tools, composts and plant supports Geraniums for bedding - large plants £3.50 each 8 for £25 Climbers, Wall plants and Clematis Alpines & Perennials Trailing Ivy leaf Geraniums, Nemesias £2.00 each 15 for £25 Vegetable plants, packs & pots from £1.99 Grasses, Heucheras and Ferns For seasonal opening times and precise locations please visit our web site

Stuckton, Fordingbridge, SP6 2HG

10am - 4pm everyday Tel: 01425 655150 Both Centres are open as usual on Bank Holidays. West Parley closed Easter Sunday

facebook.com/basketsnblooms

Our business is founded on a passion for plants. Baskets and Blooms Plant Centres offer gardeners the opportunity to buy direct from the grower.

You save money and get top quality, fresh plants, locally grown.

Gardeners cuttings in Dorset & Hampshire

CUTTINGS

A LOOK AT NEWS, EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS IN YOUR AREA BEE BONANZA DAY ON 10TH MAY AT COURTENS The decline in our pollinators has been dramatic and is an ever-increasing problem for the food and plant industries. Many insect pollinators are disappearing from areas of Britain and as gardeners, we can do our bit to help.

Courtens Garden Centre, in Whiteparish, is restocking with plants for pollinators. Specialising in herbs, wild flowers, fruit, perennials and fragrant shrubs which attract bees, butterflies, moths and hover flies amongst others.

A Bee Bonanza on Saturday, May 10th at Courtens will help inform and encourage customers to do their bit to help save the pollinators and make friends with the bees . Bee and lavender products will be on sale and something different in the cafe. Buy a raffle ticket to have the chance to win a beautiful potted patio blueberry plant with proceeds going to The Bumble Bee Conservation Trust. Open (Weds to Sat) 9.30am to 5pm The Shed Cafe open till 4pm.

Find them opposite the pond on the A27 just outside Whiteparish.

Tel: 01794 884489 (Weds to Sat) courtensgardenpartners@yahoo.com Courtens, Romsey Road, Whiteparish, SP5 2SD on May 10th.

SPRING AWAKENS: A CALL TO GARDEN POND OWNERS As the unmistakable signs of spring emerge, garden ponds begin their seasonal transformation. For many pond owners, this is the time to renew, repair, and reignite the joy of outdoor living by the water. To help pond owners navigate this crucial season, we’ve sought advice from Stewart Remington of Pondtek, a pond specialist working across Dorset for over 20 years.

Assessing water quality Over winter, chemical balances may shift due to accumulated debris, making it essential to test pH levels, ammonia content, and nitrate concentrations.

Left unchecked, poor water quality can lead to fish health issues and algae growth. Natural treatments, such as barley straw, can prevent overgrowth, while increasing aquatic plant coverage aids in maintaining balance without harsh chemicals.

Pumps & Filters Spring is the ideal time to inspect and clean pumps and filters, which play a vital role in ensuring proper circulation and filtration. These components keep the water oxygenated and free of waste build-up.

A malfunctioning pump can lead to stagnant water and poor conditions for fish and plants. Clean filters using pond water (not tap water, which may contain chlorine harmful to beneficial bacteria) and replace wornout components.

To accelerate biological filtration, consider adding a starter bacteria treatment.

Protection Pond owners should be vigilant about predators that return in spring.

Herons are known to feast on pond fish, making protective measures like netting, floating covers, or hiding spots within the pond essential.

Spring is a season of renewal and it is also a time of duty. A little effort now will ensure a season filled with clear water, healthy fish, and a vibrant, balanced ecosystem.

Pondtek, based in Dorset, specialises in all aspects of pond, water garden, and aquatic maintenance. Their services include pond filtration upkeep, construction, cleaning, and renovations.

They also offer consultation services and the UK’s first pond fish food subscription box, Pondbox, providing expert advice and high-quality pond food. Pondbox is sent every two months, packed with seasonal treats to promote growth, pond food and top tips from the expert, Stewart.

Visit www.pondtek.co.uk and www.pondbox.co.uk

May - the very word makes the heart leap - birds, buds, blossom, beauty.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER OPEN THEIR NEXT DOOR GARDENS FOR THE NGS Mother and daughter, celebrated plantswoman Rachel Helfer and her daughter Rebecca are opening their gardens jointly for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May from 12pm until 5pm, at THE STABLES, Knitson, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5JB with the well-known KNITSON OLD FARMHOUSE next door. It’s the first time Rebecca has opened The Stables for the NGS, a garden planted in a contemporary style with deep borders filled with easy care colourful perennials interspersed with shrubs. The garden was established in 2016 on flat compacted sand that had been a horse dressage arena, aiming to plant a garden full of flowers in a naturalistic style that fits into the surrounding landscape.

Admission £8 to both gardens, children free. Cream teas and refreshments available, plants for sale and dogs allowed.

Before that, WELL COTTAGE, Ryall, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6EJ opens for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May from 1pm until 5pm, over an acre of garden brought back to life since 2012, with much more light after some trees were taken down and new areas cultivated.

Several distinct areas, some quite surprising but most still have wonderful views over Marshwood Vale. A textile art studio will be open. Admission £5, children free, with homemade teas available, partial wheelchair access and dogs on leads allowed.

To find more gardens opening for charity Well Cottage during May go to page 28

YOUR CHANCE TO VOTE FOR RHS PARTNER GARDEN OF THE YEAR

SYMONDSBURY ESTATE PLANT FAIR ON 8TH MAY Symondsbury Estate’s Plant Fair takes place on Thursday, 8th May from 11am to 3pm in West Dorset, against the backdrop of Colmers Hill as the estate’s famous wildflowers start to bloom. It is an opportunity to meet specialist growers from across the region, bringing a selection of plants, from hardy perennials, cacti and alpines to bulbs and rare and exotic varieties.. The fair opens from 11am to 3pm.

There is an exciting programme of talks and demonstrations in the 14th Century Tithe Barn, with garden designer and plantsman, Charles Chesshire, doing talks on peonies, clematis, and roses. Free parking.

Visit www.symondsburyestate.co.uk or @symondsburyestate on Instagram and Facebook for updates.

Symondsbury Estate, Bridport, Dorset DT6 6HG

Voting for the 2025 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Partner Garden of the Year competition is now open.

Now in its fifth year, the annual competition aims to uncover the nation’s favourite gardens from 231 stunning RHS Partner Gardens from across the country and the world. Open to all garden lovers to vote, this year’s competition theme is ‘joy’.

RHS Members, RHS Partner Garden visitors and any members of the public interested in gardens can vote at www.rhs.org.uk/pgoty.

Previous winners are Green Island Gardens in Essex in 2024, Hidden Valley Gardens in Dorset in 2023, Nant y Bedd in Monmouthshire in 2022 and the inaugural winner, Larch Cottage Nurseries in Cumbria in 2021. www.rhs.org.uk/pgoty

May is God’s way of saying ‘One more time’ ROBERT ORBEN

EVA KELLOGG www.countrygardener.co.uk

3

Whether You Love to Lounge or Grow

Make This Spring Bloom!

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Start enjoying your garden again with a stylish new garden furniture set, there’s something perfect right here for every budget, space and taste.

Your local Otter Garden Centres: LYMINGTON Milford Road, Efford, Lymington, SO41 OJD WINCANTON Bruton Road, Wincanton, BA9 8HA Also find us at OTTERY ST MARY, JACK’S PATCH, PLYMOUTH, TORBAY & TAUNTON

www.ottergardencentres.com

There’s nothing more rewarding than growing your own plants and vegetables at home.

Whether you’re nurturing fresh herbs on your patio, planting vibrant flower beds, or creating a thriving vegetable patch, growing your own brings a sense of achievement and joy.

CUTTINGS

HISTORIC VENUES OPEN FOR NGS CHARITY Two historic places in Hampshire will open for the National Garden Scheme in May when Winchester College opens its gardens on Saturday 31st May, and Sunday 1st June, from 11am until 4pm on both days, and in Gosport the restored Regency garden at Alverstoke Crescent opens for the NGS on Saturday 17th May. The historic gardens of WINCHESTER COLLEGE, in College Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9NA include a traditional college ‘quad’, a quiet sitting garden for the old College sick house; the tranquil gardens of the College’s war memorial, and the Warden’s Garden with its herbaceous borders, woodland, and a private section of one of the most famous chalk streams in Historic gardens of Winchester College the world.

Admission £10, children free. Members of the College gardening team will be on-hand to share their knowledge and expertise. There will also be refreshments available in the Warden’s Garden, including tea and homemade cake. There’s partial wheelchair access with some steps to access the quad and War Cloister, and gravel, grass and uneven flint Alverstoke Crescent Garden cobbles in many areas. Dogs not allowed. Additional information at www.winchestercollege.org/visit-us The historic, elegant ALVERSTOKE CRESCENT GARDEN at Crescent Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2DH opens for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday 17th May from 10am until 4pm. This restored Regency ornamental garden designed to enhance the fine crescent by Thomas Ellis Owen dating from1828, has trees, walks and flowers lovingly maintained by a community and council partnership.

It’s adjacent to St Mark’s churchyard, and both are worth seeing. Admission by donation, teas available, plants for sale, there’s wheelchair access, and dogs on leads are allowed.

For more gardens opening for charity go to page 28

BUTTERFLY NUMBERS IN DECLINE AGAIN Newly released data has shown that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies in the UK and, for the first time on record, more than half of butterfly species in the UK are now in long-term decline.

Nine species had their worst year since counting began, including the muchloved Small Tortoiseshell, Chalk Hill Blue and Small Copper.

Worryingly, last year was also the second-worst year on record for ‘wider countryside species’ – the common butterflies that live in gardens, parks and across the landscape such as Common Blue, Gatekeeper and Large White.

The figures come from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme which has asked volunteers to count butterflies across the country since 1976 and now monitors more than 3,000 sites.

The JUNE issue of Country Gardener will be available from Saturday 31st May

Find your nearest stockist: www.countrygardener.co.uk/magazine/stockists

NEW FOREST SELECTED AS BLUEBELL HAVEN The New Forest has been highlighted as one four best spots in Britain to see bluebells over the next few weeks. Bluebells are one of the most treasured sights of the season, their delicate bell-shaped blooms and enchanting fragrance have captured the hearts of gardeners for generations, earning them a place as the nation’s beloved wildflower.

Bluebells are not just a stunning spectacle; they are steeped in history, folklore, and a deep connection to the British countryside. They’re often associated with ancient woodlands and mystical landscapes, evoking a sense of nostalgia and wonder. A new survey suggests the New Forest, Knepp Estate in West Sussex, Ashdown Forest in East Sussex and Kilburn Woods, North Yorkshire are the best places to immerse yourself in a sea of blue. As you wander through the woods, remember that bluebells are fragile. Their roots are easily disturbed and picking them is illegal in many places.

HAMPSHIRE GARDEN DESIGNERS READY TO INSPIRE FAIR VISITORS Garden designers from Hampshire are set to inspire thousands of visitors at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair at Beaulieu in the New Forest (from Friday May 2nd to Saturday May 4th with their stunning show gardens.

Romsey-based Hillier Nurseries is the Spring Fair’s main sponsor and will be creating a large, woodland-themed garden with a fresh and vibrant blend of plants, trees and organic highlights.

Sharing their knowledge with Spring Fair visitors, Hillier’s plant experts will be on hand and at the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage and Subscriber Club Lounge, with one-to-one advice pods and a large plant shop.

Tickets are on sale at www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com. Prices from £17 include access to Beaulieu’s extensive grounds, gardens and attractions. Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome in the outdoor areas.

Beaulieu, Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN

NEW PHILADELPHUS SET TO SHINE AMONG NEW PLANT INTRODUCTIONS Hillier Nurseries, the popular garden centres group, is introducing three stunning new plant varieties this spring, selected for their unique beauty, fragrance, and climate resilience.

Philadelphus x ‘Petite Perfume Pink’ (P1) ‘Petite Perfume Pink’ is a new addition to the philadelphus family, bred by one of the UK’s greatest plant breeders, Alan Postill. It stands out for its unique pink flowers, an unprecedented colour for the genus, combined with a strong, sweet fragrance. Available at Hillier Garden Centres from late May. Geranium x Gold Nugget ™ (Hillger) ‘Gold Nugget’ is a standout addition to the Geranium range, boasting vibrant golden yellow foliage with splashes of red and a profusion of pale pink flowers in early summer. This clump-forming hardy perennial grows into a neat, rounded mound with deeply cut leaves Exceptionally hardy and easy to maintain, it prefers moist, free-draining soil and benefits from the removal of spent flowers and old foliage in winter. It will be available from mid to late April.

Rhapiolepsis indica ‘White Cloud’ - Limited Edition ‘White Cloud’ is a significant introduction to the rhaphiolepis genus as the first-ever variety with pure white flowers. This compact, evergreen shrub is covered in large, fragrant blooms that contrast against its glossy deep green foliage. The variety will be available from mid-April. www.hillier.co.uk www.countrygardener.co.uk

5

Perfect

Powderham The popular two day Toby Buckland Garden Festival is back for its 11th show with the biggest ever line up of speakers and award-winning plant nurseries

Toby Buckland enjoying the speaker tent with visitors

One of the most popular garden festivals staged in the west country is back on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd May in the grounds of Powderham Castle.

Toby’s Garden Festival in its 11th year and promises two days of delight, celebration and inspiration for gardeners and lovers of the great outdoors. Hosted by BBC Two Gardeners’ World presenter Toby Buckland, the family friendly event boasts the biggest line-up of talks and speakers plus for the first time the chance for visitors to learn some new gardening skills.

Headlining the festival alongside Toby, are fellow BBC Two Gardeners’ World presenters, Francis Tophill and Joe Swift. Other speakers include Jacquie Felix, award winning food writer and grower Mark Diacono and a range of specialist growers and experts.

It’s an unmissable two days, with over 200 exhibitors including award-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show plant nurseries and British-grown trees, roses, border and wildflowers, aquatics, shrubs and houseplants plus sculptures and garden furniture and an ‘Artisan Barn’ showcasing local artists, crafts, ceramics, textiles, glassware and jewellery. .

Frances Tophill

Joe Swift

Food Drink Devon’s food and drink market will be in the castle’s beautiful courtyard. Featuring 20 local producers there’ll be the chance to meet the makers and sample some of the county’s finest food and drink. ‘Feast Street’ returns, offering visitors the perfect place for a bite to eat delicious curated street food and pop-up bars from around the region.

For those who want to make a special day of it, Toby’s Garden Festival’s VIP Experience, not only grants visitors entry into the festival but also, all-day access to 14th century Powderham Castle’s library and music room with morning tea, coffee and biscuits, canapés and a light buffet lunch, afternoon tea, a glass of fizz and a VIP gift bag. New this year is a series of craft sessions held in the Castle and offering visitors the chance to learn skills including botanical paining, willow weaving and terrarium making.

To book tickets online go to www.tobygardenfest.co.uk. Available are: VIP tickets £100; Tea and Cake in the Castle £35; Craft Workshops prices vary. Adult tickets for the festival are £18 in advance; Group booking £15 (minimum15 people); on the gate £22.50. All prices exclusive of booking fee.

The highlights of the speaker programme include:

FRIDAY 2 MAY POWDERHAM CASTLE

SATURDAY 3 MAY POWDERHAM CASTLE

Main Speaker Marquee

LAKESIDE

Main Speaker Marquee

LAKESIDE

10.45am

11.45am

12.45pm

10.45am

11.45am

12.45pm

An audience with BBC Gardeners’ World presenter

Save Time, Money & Boost your Garden Naturally with AMATEUR

BBC Spotlight’s Victoria Graham in conversation with Toby Buckland

An audience with BBC Gardeners’ World presenter and award-winning garden designer, Joe Swift

Grow a New Garden: Plan, design & transform any outdoor space with author and kitchen gardener Becky Searle

Save Time, Money & Boost your Garden Naturally, with AMATEUR

GARDENING Editor Kim Stoddart

1.30pm

2.30pm

3.30pm

1.30pm

2.30pm

3.30pm

Designing with Raised Beds, Containers & Pots

A Taste of the Unexpected with award-winning food writer and grower Mark

Toby Buckland in conversation with BBC Gardeners’ World presenter

Seed and Soil Laid Bare: Paul Jupp of MEADOW IN MY GARDEN and Eddie Bailey of RHYZOPHYLLA

Secret Gardens of Devon with Sue Minter, DEVON

An audience with BBC Gardeners’ World presenter and award-winning garden designer, Joe Swift

Frances Tophill

GARDENING Editor Kim Stoddart

Jacquie Felix Mitchell OASIS GARDEN DESIGN

Diacono

Frances Tophill

Country Gardener Marquee

GARDENS TRUST

GARDEN VILLAGE

Country Gardener Marquee

GARDEN VILLAGE

10.45am

11.15am

12pm

12.45pm

10.45am

11.15am

12pm

12.45pm

Camellia Growing with Chelsea Flower Show Gold medallist nurseryman

Cider with Barny: Mapping Devon’s Cider Apples with Toby and

Peat-free Success & Gardening for Wildlife with the Gardener Guru,

Thinking of getting a polytunnel?

Protected growing with

My Shady Friend in the Garden, with Mike Arthurs

Success with Streptocarpus: RHS Chelsea Gold Medalwinning Paul

Setting Out a Contemporary Garden: Gardening trends and ideas with

Dibley of DIBLEYS NURSERIES

Planting for Success: Choosing Trees That Thrive, Not Just Survive with Philip

Nieuwoudt of NEW WOOD TREES

Christine Alford

1.30pm

2.15pm

3pm

3.45pm

Ponds & Planting with Dan Upsher

Garden Antiques & Treasures: the value in your home and garden treasures with auctioneer Chris

Coming up Roses: Success with the Nation’s Favourite Flower,

Growing Dahlias with Rob Evans of RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal-winning

Jeremy Wilson of STRETEGATE CAMELLIAS

Barny Butterfleld, founder of SANDFORD ORCHARDS

Kate Turner

1.30pm

2.15pm

3pm

3.45pm

House Plants: Practical repotting and propagation with Rob Vincent

Coming up Roses: Success with the Nation’s Favourite Flower Kevin

Container Pond Demo: plants, planting & care with Dan Upsher

Growing colourful house plants: RHS Chelsea Gold Medal-winning

of HUTCH HOUSE PLANTS

Smith of CORNISH ROSES

of AQUA EDEN and DU WATERSCAPES and author Becky Searle

John Mathews of WHITEBIRD POLYTUNNELS

of TAUNTON NURSERY MIKE’S HOSTAS

Dr Paul Dibley of DIBLEYS NURSERIES

Surfleet of ADAM PARTRIDGE AUCTIONEERS

Kevin Smith of CORNISH ROSES

PHEASANT ACRE

ALL DETAILS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. PLEASE REFER TO BOARDS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE DAY FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION. 6

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7

It’s nesting season In spring and early summer, birds are attempting to breed. It is the time of year to enjoy the activity of breeding including courtship and display, nest building and feeding young. It’s also the time of the year to stay away from hedge trimming and be aware of how birds can infiltrate your house with their nests.

As most people will know, once spring comes around it’s officially house-hunting time for birds!

More and more of our feathered friends will be making use of the trees, shrubs, and climbers in our gardens to build their precious nests in.

This vegetation is a lifeline for the birds: it will provide a foundation on which their nests will rest, it will protect their eggs and chicks from wind, rain and sun and will even hide them from predators. However, with more people spending time in their gardens during the warmer months, so does their needs/wants for having a tidy up and trimming this type of vegetation.

First of all, it is important to be aware of when the bird nesting season is. In the UK this is between 1st March and 31st August.

So, what to do if you want to trim your hedges?

You must wait until after the main nesting season as the possibility of birds nesting is very high, but as long as no active nests are moved or damaged, you can legally cut vegetation year-round. Firstly, you need to watch for a few days to make sure you do not see any nesting activity in the vegetation.

When birds are nesting, they are constantly popping to and from the nesting site. This is because at all stages of nesting they need to keep returning. Therefore, your main indicator is whether you have birds regularly coming in and out of the vegetation.

If they leave first thing in the morning and don’t return until night, then they’re probably just using the area to sleep (roost) in.

Before beginning any cutting, you should still thoroughly check the hedge/tree to make sure you can’t see any active nests. If not, then you may cut.

Use manual cutting tools instead of electric ones, as they are easier to control and stop should you come across any wildlife.

What does the law say?

All wild birds and their nests are protected by law. It is illegal to intentionally or recklessly take, kill or injure a wild bird or to take, damage, destroy or otherwise interfere with a wild bird’s nest while it is in use or being built. It is also an offence to obstruct or prevent any wild bird from using its nest. It should also be noted that the nests of most bird species are not protected outside of the nesting season once the birds have stopped using them.

Additionally, areas that are used by birds for roosting (and not for nesting) are not protected. The law does allow licences to be issued to allow actions that would otherwise be against the law. Licences can only be used if there is a real public health or safety issue that needs to be addressed. There must be no other satisfactory solution: in other words they can only be used as a last resort.

Birds nesting in chimneys

Legally the nesting season in the UK is between March 1st and August 31st 8

Chimneys are a popular nesting spot for some species such as jackdaws. This can cause concerns about health and safety; especially as nesting material can catch light. Like all nests, those in chimneys are covered by the Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it illegal to move or disturb the nest. In extreme cases you may be able to get a license to remove the nest from the Country Gardener

Government but, in general, you will need to wait until the end of nesting season before acting.

Once the nesting season is over and the nest is no longer in use, it’s sensible to employ a chimney sweep to remove any nesting material and then have cowls fitted to prevent birds accessing the chimney in future.

Birds nesting in a cavity wall Birds will sometimes enter the home through gaps such as air bricks and vents to find somewhere safe and sheltered to nest. When the babies leave the nest, they may sometimes then fall into the wall cavity.

This is often a situation which can be resolved without assistance from a wildlife rescue. This scenario usually involves little hands-on rescuing of the bird itself and often involves more DIY or even professional building work.

Birds nesting in eaves Lofts and eaves areas are popular nesting places with birds such as starlings and swifts. Most of the contacts the RSPB receive are from people worried the birds are trapped in their loft. This is unlikely – usually if they can get in, they can get back out again. If the bird has been consistently visible in the loft for 24 hours, you don’t see any outside activity and/or the bird is looking unwell, then you’ll need to contact a wildlife rescue for help. If the bird comes and goes then it can and should be left alone.

Like all birds’ nests, those in your loft are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act meaning it is illegal to disturb or destroy them. In general, the advice is to remember that babies are only in the nest for a few weeks so the issue will resolve itself before long.

Reporting any nests being destroyed What if you’ve seen someone cutting their vegetation, and they’ve damaged or destroyed active nests in the process?

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), wild birds’ nests are protected from intentional damage, destruction or removal when they are in use or being built. This means if someone knows they’ve got a pair of birds nesting in their ivy, and they cut it anyway and damage the nest, they would be breaking the law. The RSPB recommends if you think an offence has taken place, call the police via the non-emergency 101 telephone number, and ask to speak to the local Wildlife Crime Officer – you can do this anonymously.

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A family run, wholesale & retail traditional nursery specialising in Clematis.

In house British grown high quality plants, exceptionally priced and affordable for all.

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Our annual catalogues are available for viewing on the retail section of our website.

Bringing Beauty into Your Gardens Open Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm | Open Weekends from mid-March to June 10am – 4pm.

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GARDENING BUILDS FRIENDSHIPS AND STRENGTHENS BONDS AT FERN BROOK LODGE As the spring season heads towards summer, Fern Brook Lodge residents are enjoying gardening activities to produce an extravaganza of natural colour in and outside the care home.

Fern Brook Lodge, which is part of not-for-profit charity, Care South, provides residential, respite, and dementia care to residents in the home based on Fern Brook Lane.

A dedicated activities team organises a daily programme of events to bring residents together to socialise and build friendships, which can include crafts, live entertainment, games and baking.

However, an activity that always proves popular with residents is the gardening club. To welcome in the spring season, residents have gathered to plant a range of fruit, vegetables and flower seeds, which will be placed on the sunny windowsills to germinate. It will then soon be time for the seedlings to be transferred into the care home’s raised flower beds, sparking residents’ memories of gardening with their own families in years gone by.

It is a great mood booster as members of the Fern Brook Lodge Gardening Club enjoy some gentle exercise including light stretching, lifting, and digging, while chatting with their friends, the care home team and visiting family members. Whether planting seeds in the spring, harvesting tomatoes in summer, or simply enjoying a cup of tea amongst the flowers, the gardening activities offer countless opportunities for interaction and companionship.

The garden at Fern Brook Lodge has been designed to offer a sensory space for residents, including those living with dementia or a sensory impairment. Scents from sweet peas, lavender and roses can stimulate memories, whilst

the sense of touch can be stimulated through tree bark and grasses, and residents can hear a host of sounds from bees and birds who visit the garden.

The garden features wide, flat walkways and raised flower beds to make them accessible to everyone, with plenty of outdoor seating areas and benches to enjoy some quiet time. It’s also the perfect setting for residents to enjoy a host of garden parties and barbecues to make the most of the sunnier weather, with friends and family always encouraged to join in the fun.

Residents have a choice of communal lounges and dining

Scan the QR code to find out more, hear from residents and meet the Home Manager.

A Care South home for residential and dementia care

Your trusted local care home in the heart of your community Rated

9.8* out of 10 on carehome.co.uk

February 2022

Fern Brook Lane | Gillingham | SP8 4QD 01747 449812 | care-south.co.uk Proud to be part of Care South, a not-for-profit charity and leading provider of residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as care at home services across the south of England. Registered Charity No. 1014697. * Correct at time of print.

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rooms to relax indoors, as well as The Brook community space which hosts a range of events which are also open to the local Gillingham community.

The care home team host their own Memory Café session every Thursday morning from 10am to 11am for people living with dementia and their carers to meet and chat with other like-minded people. These sessions aim to raise awareness and offer education about living with dementia.

There is no need to book - just drop in on the day.

Country Gardener

READERS LETTERS

HAVE YOUR SAY...

More letters containing thoughts, views and opinions from Country Gardener readers.

If you want to air your views email us at editorial@countrygardener.co.uk

Seed swop event was a sensation

Three tips from my dad I enjoy your magazine and in particular the rapport you seem to have with your readers. I thought I would add I worked closely with my dad who gardened our plot in our home just outside Minehead for many years. He also had an allotment which kept him very busy specially in retirement.

He had three rules which he believed to be key to gardening.

In fact, what he meant I think was highlighting three of the worst errors a gardener could make. They were he said planting too much, planting too soon (or too late) and planting in just any old soil without proper preparation.

Three rules true today I guess.

Archie Naylor Minehead

I attended a fantastic event a few weeks ago which has inspired me to write to you. It was the Bristol seed swop event which took place on a Sunday afternoon and was dedicated to get people to learn more about seeds but more importantly to exchange seeds and share ideas about food growing. There were seed tables where you could pick up what you need. The seeds were donated by gardeners who had left over seeds in packets or even full packets. There was even a stall helping gardeners to grow and save rare seeds for the Bristol community. I came away inspired, determined not to waste seeds and committed to saving my own seeds this season and coming back next year to allow other people to enjoy what I have grown. A lovely event which perhaps should be happening more.

Trinny Davies Bristol

GROWING FULLER DAHLIA BLOOMS?

Cutting back on lawns Since the launch of No-Mow Month campaigns, which experts seem now suggest may do more harm than good, I was happy to read a more science-based article which suggested reducing the size of your lawn.

This campaign is unlike most of the current anti-lawn/lawn reduction messaging, which tells us to make extreme changes – removing all the turf and replacing it with some kind of meadow or native plants. Meadows aren’t for everyone or everywhere, and native plants can involve a lot of cost. Instead, I started with a smaller, easier and more acceptable step – creating an island bed in the middle of the lawn which we filled with full-grown plants from our crowded garden. The island is crescent-shaped and would fully enclose the trees that are currently surrounded by grass, growing right up to the trunk. Bad for trees!

Ian Davies Portishead

I enjoyed one reader's passionate words about dahlias (Country Gardener, April). She is right. These vibrant blooms, command attention in any setting with their impressive flower heads spanning every hue from delicate buttery yellows to deep, rich burgundies. There is is however a trick to growing them. It can be difficult to convince new dahlia grower friends about the benefits of pinching, yet this practice encourages the plant to develop fuller blooms. When your dahlia reaches approximately a foot in height, you should pinch off the crown bloom. This action allows the plant to produce additional laterals and flowers.

Christine Fuller Bournemouth

Birthday card messages I agree with WE CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE BY BUYING PEAT FREE Peat-free April encourages us gardeners to do one easy thing for our environment and ditch the use of peat. But we can make a real difference to the fate of the threatened peatlands - and all we need to do is make sure that when we pick up a bag of compost, or a new plant that it says peat-free on the label. And if it doesn’t, don’t buy it. Simple huh?

More and more retailers are making the switch to peat-free (there is an official ban on the use of peat in horticulture on the horizon, but it’s yet to materialise) and the more we make our desire for peat-free known the faster the market will react.

Franny Walker Burnham

My two granddaughters treated me this week to two garden themed birthday cards, each which had a message for me which I loved. One had the words: ‘With a few flowers in my garden, a few pictures and some books, I live without envy’.

The other more basic: ’I am not ageing, I just need repotting’. Both sentiments I agree with.

Angela Hoole Dartmouth

Houseplants can help with mould

How I saved my old apple trees

I wonder if your readers know that some houseplants can help keep springtime mould at bay. Our house suffers badly from mould. Rising temperatures after lots of rain lead to increased humidity and that’s where the problem starts, creating the perfect conditions for mould. Next to taking measures like opening windows to improve airflow and drying the washing outside, houseplants can help. The foliage of English ivy allows it to trap airborne particles, such as mould spores. It’s also great at absorbing excess moisture in the air. Ivy did its job for us on a windowsill where the plant absorbed the sunlight and protecting newish curtains from catching mould. Peace Lily is a pretty plant which thrives in high humidity and low levels of sunlight, and it is the perfect plant to keep in dark and damp environments like bathrooms.

Tonya Fletcher Plymouth

I am very pleased with myself after attending a tree pruning class run at my local garden centre which helped me go the rescue of some ill apple trees which my husband wanted to cut down. I’m so thrilled that even this early in the season they look much healthier.

Apple trees can live to be 100 years, but they reach their prime at around 25 years.

Pruning an old tree I now realise will lead to higher yields and much better quality fruit, but your tree is still old.

It was all straightforward. Remove all dead wood and diseased branches. All diseased and insect-infested wood is burned to prevent reinfestation. Coat cutting tools with bleach between cuttings to help prevent reinfestations. Then get air into the tree by improving the shape. Take weeds away from the base of the trunk and put in loads of mulch. Easy, peasy!

Daphne Richardson Torquay

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JOBS FOR THE MONTH

JOBS IN THE May garden May marks the switch into summer. Everywhere things in the gardening will be coming to life. Don’t be in a rush to move patio pots and hanging baskets outside though. Check when the last frost date is in your area as you can safely move tender plants outdoors after this. The same goes for tender veg, such as courgettes and sweetcorn. May is the month where the cooler, wetter days of spring have ended. The temperature is rising, and the warmth of summer is just around the corner.

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Stake and care for perennials

May is the time to get going with perennials as the ground is warm and they’ll start growing more quickly. Only plant out the ones that can stand a little frost, but if your garden is generally frost-free, tender plants such as dahlias can be put out too.

Keep mulching before the plants grow too much and you can still get in between them and see what you’re doing.

Stay on top of the weeds if you can. A quick hoe once a week will keep them at bay and will mean they don’t compete for water, light, or nutrients with the plants you want to grow.

Buy extra plants if you need an easy fix. Little plugs of sweet peas are handy for slotting into any spot where they’ll have something to climb up and will give enormous joy as the year goes on.

Perennials put on a lot of growth in May, so keep an eye on your plants and tie them in to supports as they grow, or you can insert ready-made supports around them. Doing so will save any heartbreak later down the line when windy weather could snap the stems before they come into flower.

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5

Feed and deadhead tulips You can encourage your tulips to flower again next year by feeding them with tomato feed and removing any flowers that have faded. Bulbs in pots are best removed from the pots after they have finished, and then replanted deeply (around 15cm deep) in the border. Ones that are left in their pots tend to produce lots of small bulbs that produce leaves, rather than flowers, in their second year.

Feed raspberry plants

May is a good time to feed raspberry plants as it’ll help to encourage flowering and healthy leaf growth. Floricane types (summer fruiting) respond well to tomato feed, such as Big Tom, on a weekly basis. Primocane raspberry varieties (autumn fruiting) will prefer a high nitrogen food such as sulphate of ammonia, to encourage healthy canes and leaves.

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Water anything newly planted

Any veg or flowers planted this spring will need regular watering while it settles in and puts down roots into the soil, especially during dry weather. This also applies to any new turf you may have laid.

4

Mulch strawberries

May is the month where strawberries flower and the fruit begins to form which can make a tempting feast for slugs, birds and squirrels! To protect the young fruit, add a layer of net over the plants; if you have a lot of squirrels visiting your garden, wire mesh makes a sturdier barrier. You’ll also want to protect the new fruit from the mud to prevent it from rotting; using mulch is the perfect way to do this. The most common type of mulch for strawberries is straw; place this on top of the soil around the plant.

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2

Sow a wildflower patch This is a good time to sow a wildflower patch or meadow if you have the room. Just make sure any seed mix you get is right for your soil and conditions – usually they are mixtures of less vigorous grasses and lovely wildflowers such as poppies, vetch, daisies and yellow rattle.

You don’t need a huge garden to do this, just a few square metres, and you may even want to turn over all your lawn to wildflowers. It’s much better for wildlife and is also quite low maintenance. Leave the meadow to flower and seed, then cut back in late summer.

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Get climbers growing

Secure any stems of clematis, roses, honeysuckle, or other climbing plants that are looking a little unstable. This will prevent harsh winds snapping them to make sure you can still enjoy your vertical displays when flowers blossom.

Prune early flowering clematis as the blooms fade. If your climbers have got too big for patch or pots, grab some secateurs and prune the stems above the leaf joint to maintain neatness.

Secure beautiful summer scents by planting sweet pea seedlings somewhere with plenty of sun. Use a trellis, wigwam or other method of support to help them weave up and look their best. If you didn’t manage to sow seeds earlier on in the year, buy some ready-grown plants.

Country Gardener

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Plant courgettes and marrows These versatile vegetables are ready to plant into the ground in May. Prepare the soil by digging a hole around 30cm deep and 30cm wide for each plant (leave a 1m space between the holes); dig in plenty of home grown compost to improve the soil.

If no frosts are predicted, you can plant out the marrow and courgette plants, but before you do, you’ll need to harden off the plants. Once in the ground, it’s a good idea to cover the plants with fleece to protect them from wind, until they’re established.

Mottisfont Abbey where spring bulbs and summer bedding were popular plantings

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Sow seeds outdoors

Wondering what you can be confident about plant in May? If you plan on growing runner beans from seed, now’s the time to start planting them in the garden. When preparing the trenches, add supports so that the plants can grow up them. It’s worth adding a few extra seeds around each support just in case hungry pests eat any of the seedlings.

As the seedlings begin to grow, thin out the weakest ones to allow the healthier, stronger ones to harness the nutrients in the soil.

Sweetcorn seeds can also be planted now; choose a warmish, sheltered site for these as sweetcorn are relatively delicate when growing. Always plant the sweetcorn in blocks of at least 12 plants as this vegetable is wind pollinated.

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Hanging Baskets need to be ready

If your hanging baskets aren’t yet prepared and waiting patiently in your greenhouse, plant them up with pre-grown live plants or plugs you’ve grown on yourself. Here’s how: Fill your basket three quarter full with compost and make holes in the compost for your plug plants.

Put the rootballs in the holes and add several scoops of feed containing waterabsorbing crystals and slow-release fertiliser.

Cover the top of the rootball with compost and use your hands to gently firm up the soil around it so it’s nice and secure.

Water and then hang up in pride of place!

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Last chance jobs

Bulbs to plant in May With the summer nearly upon us, if you haven’t finished planting your summer flowering bulbs such as dahlia’s and gladioli, this is really the last opportunity you’ll have. Check that your bulbs are healthy and throw away any that are rotting or soft to the touch.

Sow half-hardy annuals There’s still time to sow hardy annual seeds such as sunflowers directly where you want them to flower. Prepare the ground by removing all the weeds in the area so that the young seedlings don’t have to compete against the weeds.

Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

THE GARDENING

socialite

by Vivienne Lewis

Norah Lindsay - the socialite who learnt to get her hands dirty in the sumptuous often romantic gardens she helped to create

She was an upper-class socialite who enjoyed the leisurely life, but who became a hands-on garden designer when her life and circumstances changed abruptly, facing financial ruin after the collapse of her marriage.

Norah Lindsay was born Norah Bourke in India on 26th April 1873, a child of Empire, at the hill station of Ootacamund, known as Ooty, in the Nilgiris district of the state of Tamil Nadu, founded as a Raj summer resort. Her father was an army Major, brother of a Viceroy of India, her mother from another upperclass military family. But the family returned to England and her father started on a civilian career with the family investment company.

Life was a social whirl for the society Norah Lindsay used her gardening skills beauty and her well-connected and social connections to make a new family. In 1895 she married Henry life for herself as a garden designer Lindsay who had shown prowess as an army officer in India, and on their wedding his uncle Lord Wantage gave the couple the Tudor manor house of Sutton Courtenay and its estate by the Thames in Oxfordshire - the home that would start Norah off towards her future career in horticulture.

She created a sumptuous romantic garden in the naturalistic style of William Robinson and Gertrude Jekyll at Sutton Courtenay, formal and wild gardens, with a square pool, a rose garden and an enclosed Persian garden, and it became a centre for society friends and family.

But financial and marital problems were made worse by the First World War, when Norah was left to struggle frugally with their children Nancy and Peter for long periods while Harry Lindsay was back in the army. Parts of the Sutton Courtenay estate were sold off in 1920, but not the manor house. After 20 years the marriage ended in divorce and Norah was left almost penniless in the mid-1920s.

With her charm and determination, she used her gardening skills and social connections to make a new life for herself as a garden designer. The beautiful garden she had created at Sutton Courtenay with only an old gardener and a couple of labourers was her showroom from where she travelled to other people’s gardens at home and

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Clockwise from top left: Cliveden in Berkshire, formerly home of the Astor family; Hidcote Manor where Norah worked closely with owner Lawrence Johnston; Norah known for working very long hours on her projects; Mottisfont Abbey where Norah designed a famous parterre garden; Blicking Hall in Norfolk

abroad and made amazingly grand designs, atmospheric borders and terraces with her instinctive skill and horticultural knowledge honed at Sutton Courtenay which was featured in Country Life magazine in May 1931.

She was paid a retainer by her clients, surviving on their hospitality. One of her earliest clients was Sir Philip Sassoon, cousin of the war poet Siegfried Sassoon, at Trent Park in Hertfordshire. Between 1927 and 1936 she worked on the high summer-blooming double herbaceous borders, the Long Borders, the front entrance, loggia, and the terraces.

Her famous clients included the future Edward VIII when he was Prince of Wales. At Fort Belvedere in Berkshire, she planted the herbaceous border along the battlement wall, around the lily pool, the iris walk, planted shrubs along the tennis court and established wild woodland plantings.

Norah Lindsay’s advice was sought by Lawrence Johnston, the owner of Hidcote Manor in Gloucestershire, now a National Trust property. They worked very closely together on the planning and planting of the garden. She did not design any part of Hidcote’s garden but advised ‘Johnny’ as she called him and did the same at his home in the south of France, Serre de la Madone where she often stayed.

Mottisfont Abbey’s garden was another project for Norah Lindsay. In 1934 Gilbert Russell, a great-grandson of the sixth Duke of Bedford, bought the property and made major alterations to the garden commissioning the garden designer Geoffrey Jellicoe as well as Norah. She worked on the parterre garden and herbaceous plantings in the walled garden between 1935 and 1941. On the level ground within the U-shape formed by the wings of the house, Norah designed a box-edged parterre in 1938, planted within the hedges with spring bulbs and summer bedding schemes.

Norah Lindsay advised in the early 1930s on the design and planting at Cothay Manor, the home of Col. Reginald Cooper at Greenway a few miles south of Taunton, who was a family friend. Mells Manor House in Somerset was one of her earliest projects - designing the herbaceous gardens, with its shrubs and roses. She wrote of her frustration with the old gardener at Mells where she tried to “counteract the lethargy” of a gardener “who had been there since the days of Noah” - Norah wrote wonderfully descriptive letters to friends about her gardening life.

She was known for working long hours on her projects, getting up early and working with the gardeners all day, digging beds and planting. Long double borders separated by lawns were one of her pet schemes. She often used large patches of blue meconopsis in her border designs but also created hot borders with fiery accent plants. She also loved to design and plant water gardens, and liked to insert topiary into her informal designs, adding structure and contrast. Hers was not a ‘tidy’ style of gardening and was happy to let seedlings grow.

One can think of connections between the 20th century famous women of horticulture in England - Norah had read Gertrude Jekyll’s gardening books and was influenced by them; she knew the formidable plantswoman Ellen Willmott and apparently, they got on well.

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Willmott was not a designer but the garden at her family home, Warley Place in Essex was developed by her and like Lawrence Johnston she was a great sponsor of plant hunting expeditions to China and elsewhere. Vita Sackville-West was also a lifelong friend.

Norah Lindsay died of kidney cancer in 1948. The Manor House, Sutton Courtenay was sold by the Lindsay family in 1945 to newspaper owner David Astor; he lived there until his death in 2001. Norah’s daughter Nancy also became a garden designer and when he died in 1958 Lawrence Johnston left his garden in the south of France to Nancy Lindsay.

It is a pity that Norah Lindsay who was a brilliant conversationalist by all accounts, who charmed so many people and had an enormous list of rich clients, who worked hard on her garden and other peoples, and was not a social butterfly, did not write a memoir. She did write for Country Life and other magazines, but a memoir would have cemented her place in the annals of horticulture. The gardens and areas of great gardens that she helped create and influence are her epitaph, Hidcote Manor in Gloucestershire, parts of Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire, Blickling Manor in Norfolk and Cliveden in Berkshire.

To find out more about the life of Norah Lindsay, Allyson Hayward’s biography ‘Nora Lindsay: the Life and Art of a Garden Designer’ published in 2007 is a good read, with copious archival photographs and more recent photos of some of the gardens she worked on.

Some of the gardens that Norah Lindsay contributed to: Blickling Hall, Norfolk Cliveden, Berkshire Mottisfont Abbey, Hampshire Firle Place, Sussex Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire Ditchley Park, Oxfordshire Mells Manor House, Somerset Port Lympne, Kent Rotherfield Park, Hampshire Trent Park, Hertfordshire Gleneagles Hotel, Perth and Kinross, Scotland

...the list goes on and includes several in France and Italy

Country Gardener

GREAT PLACES TO VISIT

THE MAGIC

Colour and scent as May arrives at Hartland Abbey

of visiting gardens in May

It is no wonder that writers and poets find so much to write about English gardens in May. They have a beauty which could be seen to be difficult to capture in words.

It is more than just the colours and scents of flowers and blossom, it’s the freshness combined with the joy of seeing the end of winter.

The great British summer is well and truly with us and with it comes that time of the year for gardeners and garden lovers when there really isn’t enough time in the diary to see and do everything. May sees the gardening season in first gear with gardens, enjoying some of the best display conditions of the year. It is also time for the great garden days opening for various well-deserved charities from small villages gardens to their grander more baronial versions. And then there’s the great plant and garden fairs which are both so popular and often one the first things to go in any diary of must-see events.

Here’s a few dates and venues to make sure you don’t miss out on.

Kelmscott Manor bursting with charm and style Kelmscott Manor was the iconic country home of William Morris; father of the Arts and Crafts movement. Today, visitors will find an outstanding collection which spans over 300 years and reflects the lives, ideas, and creative legacy of those who lived and stayed there.

The domestic charm and ambience of the house is still retained and having influenced Pre-Raphaelite art and design and the Arts & Crafts Movement, its legacy still very much treasured today. Kelmscott Manor also boasts enchanting riverside gardens and the River Thames is located just a few hundred yards away.

May is a very special month to visit Hartland Abbey. Not only are the woodland gardens filled with rhododendrons and azaleas, gunneras and tree ferns are emerging rapidly and the Walled Gardens sparkle!

Filled with colour and scent they are a wonderful, peaceful place to relax in the shelter of the walls. The summerhouse overlooking the gardens is a refuge in inclement weather! But for the energetic the foxgloves on the walk to the beach and the cliff flowers are a memorable sight. The abbey is a welcoming family home filled with interest to make a full day out in an ancient river valley with delicious eats in the café. A great day out for group visits too!

Hartland Abbey, Hartland, Stoke, Bideford EX39 6DT Tel: 01237 441496 www.hartlandabbey.com

Two charity garden openings at Fonthill House Steeped in history, the Fonthill Estate has been owned by the Morrison family since 1830. You’ll be able to discover everything about it (as well as meeting the current Lord Margadale) if you visit on what promises to be two fantastic afternoons when the gardens to the house will be open in aid of two amazing charities, both of whom fully deserve all the support they can get.

The dates are Sunday 27th April in aid of the incredible charity, Salisbury Hospice, www.salisburyhospicecharity.org.uk and Sunday 8th June in aid of an inspiring charity, the Lady Garden Foundation www.ladygardenfoundation.com You can wander around the gardens, admire the no dig kitchen garden, browse through stalls, eat delicious food from the refreshments tent, and even have a glass of wine with your lunch. The gardeners will also be on hand to answer any questions. Do make a note of the dates in your diaries. Further details for ticket prices and times, please visit www.fonthill.co.uk/gardens/

For more information visit kelmscottmanor.org.uk Tel: 01367 252486 Kelmscott Manor Kelmscott, Lechlade GL7 3HJ

Fonthill House, nr Tisbury, Salisbury, SP3 5SA

49th Cerne Abbas

Colour, colour everywhere at Marwood Hill Colour is everywhere this month - the spring flowering shrubs are in full bloom with carpets of bluebells covering the ground. The start of the candelabra primulas is a welcome sight around the lakes and stream providing a whole kaleidoscope of colours, and if you look carefully, you can even see the pocket handkerchief tree in flower.

The most spectacular view this month must be the Wisteria Arch which is draped with the colourful racemes of flowers from the 12 different forms with blue, lilac, pink and white flowers creating a tunnel of magic that is a sight to behold. It also provides a wonderful entrance to the tearoom where you can enjoy a delicious homemade cream tea with the speciality ginger scones. All meals and cakes are homemade on site and are fresh and tasty.

The plant nursery is also full of colourful interesting plants -virtually all propagated from plants in the gardens including some unusual and rare ones unique to the gardens at Marwood!

Open Gardens About 25 Private Gardens Open

14th & 15th June, 2-6pm Day ticket to all gardens £8 Ticket for 2 days £10 Accompanied children free Plant Stall Free Car Park (DT2 7GD) from 1pm Teas from 1pm

Marwood Hill Gardens, Nr Guineaford, Barnstaple, North Devon EX31 4EA Tel: 01271 342 528 Email: info@marwoodhillgarden.co.uk www.marwoodhillgarden.co.uk

Specialist Plant Fairs 2025 May 8th Symondsbury Estate, Bridport

Equal proceeds to: Cerne Valley Cricket Club

& Dorset Wildlife Trust

Keep up to date: www.cerneabbasopengardens.org.uk

JAPANESE MAPLES Acer palmatum varieties

May 10th Yarlington House, Wincanton May 18th Walled Garden at Moreton, Dorchester June 21st Coates English Willow, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton Sept 14th Mapperton Gardens, Beaminster More information at www.countrygardener.co.uk

We produce and grow the largest selection available in the UK. Plants are pot grown and suitable for garden, patio or bonsai.

Visitors welcome Mon-Sat 9am-1pm & 2pm-4pm Barthelemy & Co (DCG), 262 Wimborne Rd West, Stapehill, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 2DZ

Tel: 01202 874283 enquiries@barthelemymaples.co.uk www.barthelemymaples.co.uk 15

GREAT PLACES TO VISIT

Hartland Abbey & Gardens

NGS May gardens make great places to gather

Visit this stunning family home with its fascinating collections and exhibitions

The days are getting warmer and longer and with summer on its way what could be more lovely than an afternoon out in a beautiful garden. National Garden Scheme gardens are the perfect place to gather with friends and family or to enjoy alone, and you’ll be assured of a warm welcome and delicious refreshments. There are hundreds of wonderful National Garden Scheme gardens for you to explore this month with many of the gardens offering a By Arrangement option in addition to their scheduled opening dates, where you can call the garden owner and organise an exclusive visit for you and your friends or a group at a time that suits you all. Go to ngs.org.uk and find your perfect garden.

Beautiful walled and woodland gardens.

Wildflower walks to the beach. Enjoy our ‘William Stukeley – Saviour of Stonehenge’ exhibition. See where Enid Blyton’s ‘Malory Towers’ is filmed. * Dogs really welcome * Holiday Cottages * * Delicious light lunches & cream teas * House, Gardens etc and Café open until 2nd October Sunday to Thursday 11am - 5pm (House 2pm - 5pm last adm 3.45pm)

Elkstone Village Gardens Open Day On Sunday 22nd June from 2pm to 6pm, the historic Cotswold village of Elkstone comes to life in a special way allowing visitors to see parts of it not accessible to the casual visitor. Amble through lovely, and varied, private gardens and enjoy the special village atmosphere. Relax with cream teas, homemade cakes or ice creams. The Grade 1 listed Norman church, the highest in the Cotswolds, will be made extra special with glorious flower displays. Hear its wonderful peal of bells ring out and a community choir singing. The churchyard has various environmental initiatives including the wildflower coronation meadow, bug houses installed to encourage wildlife and the environmentally friendly loo! Visit the plant stalls to take back a reminder of a special day. All proceeds from the event go towards the upkeep of the church and village hall.

For more information and special events see www.hartlandabbey.com Hartland, Nr. Bideford EX39 6DT 01237441496/234 FONTHILL HOUSE

Fonthill House, Tisbury, Salisbury SP3 5SA

SAVE THE DATES

2025 Charity Garden Openings To Which You Are Warmly Welcomed:

SUNDAY 27TH APRIL

For further information contact admin@elkstonevillage.com

24 acres of Rare Shrubs, Trees, Pools & Waterfalls

Badminton House at its most vibrant Visitors can experience the vibrant beauty of summer at Badminton Estate’s Open Garden Day on Sunday 15th June.

They will be able to explore the historic Badminton House gardens, featuring formal beds designed by Russell Page, alongside the South Garden’s water squares, hedges, and borders. Enjoy stunning rose displays and soft summer colours, with perennials, campanulas, penstemons, geraniums, and phlox. Then take a visit to the Walled Garden, home to the estate’s kitchen garden and beautiful wisteria walkway.

Enhance your day with plant stalls, delicious food and drink vendors, and pop in to see the exhibition A Garden of Botanical Art in the Old Hall.

Gates opens at 10 am, with the last entry at 4 pm. Pre-sale tickets are £10 for adults and £7.50 for seniors (60+), with gate prices at £14 and £11. Free entry for carers and children under 12. Proceeds support the Severn Area Rescue Association and the Church Restoration Fund. For directions, parking, and accessibility details, visit www.badmintonestate.com

Home-made soups & cakes Sunday 16th March to Sunday 8th June, Suns, Weds, Bank Holidays 11am - 5pm

Harford Ivybridge PL21 0JF Tel 01752 691749

www.lukesland.co.uk

Tea Room & Walled Garden Nursery

Fonthill House garden opening in aid of Salisbury Hospice (12pm – 5pm)

SUNDAY 8TH JUNE

Fonthill House garden opening in aid of the Lady Garden Foundation (12pm – 5pm) Stalls, ice cream van, wine stall and refreshments. Do bring well behaved dogs on leads. Unfortunately there is restricted access in the gardens for wheelchairs.

Further details & prices for entry can be obtained from our website

www.fonthill.co.uk/gardens

WELL BEHAVED DOGS ON LEADS WELCOME

Barthelemy & Co – ready to show off Japanese maples Barthelemy & Co near Wimborne in Dorset was established by a French nurseryman almost a century ago and the Skinner family now specialise in propagating and growing acer palmatum – or Japanese maples as they’re known.

Throughout spring, summer and autumn the delicate foliage of the acer presents exquisite shadings of Mother Nature’s gold, pink, purple, green, yellow, orange and red. Acers are a delightful addition to anyone’s garden, giving an aura of peace and tranquillity. The ten-acre nursery at Stapehill has a huge collection of Japanese maples to choose from and expert staff are on hand to help select the right variety and to offer advice. Over 100,000 acers are produced at Barthelemy and Co every year approximately 10,000 - 12,000 of them are grafted named palmatum varieties, as one of the largest specialist growers of their kind.

Nestled in the heart of North Devon, Marwood Hill Garden is a hidden gem

Barthelemy & Co, 262 Wimborne Road West, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 2DZ Tel: 01202 874283 www.barthelemymaples.co.uk

Plant fair at Athelhampton House This year there will be three more specialist fairs in Dorset, organised by Plant Heritage. The first is on Sunday 11th May at Athelhampton House just off the A35, near Puddletown. This beautiful venue is on the large west lawn of an impressive Tudor Mansion House, adjacent to its large Dovecote, formal gardens & the picturesque River Piddle. It’s an ideal event to buy spring and early summerflowering perennials and shrubs, plus Lavenders, Alpines and a few exotics. Many are grown within 20 miles of the Fair, one very large stall features plants grown by Plant Heritage members, including National Collection Holders & Plant Guardians – an ideal opportunity to buy something different at very reasonable prices. Plant Fair open 10am – 3pm, Gardens remain open until 5pm (included in the admission).

Bring cash/cards for plant purchases. Free parking. EV charging points available. If you wish to book Sunday lunch or a tour of the house (additional charge), contact the venue direct.

Tel: 01305 848363 Athelhampton House, DT2 7LG. 16

Home to four National Plant Heritage collections, this private valley garden spans over 20-acres and showcases three stunning lakes, rare trees & shrubs, and colourful surprises throughout each season. Not only a haven for wildlife, the garden is also the perfect environment to explore and be inspired.

Enjoy a day of inspirational and relaxation for the whole family.

Catch up over coffee and homemade cake or a cream tea in the picturesque Garden Tea Room or take a bit of Marwood magic home with you from our Walled Garden Nursery and Plant Sales.

Enquiries & Tea Room 01271 342528 Plant Sales & Nursery 01271 342577 e info@marwoodhillgarden.co.uk w marwoodhillgarden.co.uk Marwood Hill Gardens, Marwood, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4EA

Country Gardener

GARDENS & TEAROOM Open every Friday 2pm - 5.30pm from 2nd May to 26th September

Also last weekend in May & August Bank Holiday weekend - Sat, Sun & Mon GARDENS: adult £6, child £1

CADHAY, OTTERY ST. MARY, DEVON, EX11 1QT 01404 813511 www.cadhay.org.uk Member of Historic Houses

May Fairs 11th May

Salthrop House, Wroughton, Nr. Swindon SN4 9QP

18th May

American Museum and Gardens, Bath BA2 7BD

25th May

Kingston Bagpuize House, Abingdon, OX13 5AX

www.rareplantfair.co.uk

Please visit our website for full details of admission fees and times of opening.

SCAN HERE

29 - 31 MAY 2025 DISCOVER MORE AT THE ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW Book your tickets now: bathandwest.com/tickets www.countrygardener.co.uk

17

GREAT PLACES TO VISIT

Chawton House celebrates a special 250th anniversary Chawton House is celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary this year! Jane Austen was a frequent visitor to the estate, and some believe Mr Knightley’s Donwell Abbey in Austen’s Emma was modelled upon Chawton House. The Gardens represent 300 years of garden history, up a Lutyens-inspired Library Terrace to the Upper Terrace with sweeping views across a Capability Brown-esque landscape and out to the parkland, where visitors can walk in Austen’s footsteps. The South Lawn leads to a lime avenue and into a 17th century restored Wilderness. At the highest point of the grounds is the Walled Garden, built by Jane’s brother Edward Austen in 1819, with a herbal, kitchen and rose garden.

The gardens are a delightful place to explore throughout all seasons with a coffee in hand from the Tea Shed or after a lunch from the Old Kitchen Tearoom.

Chawton House, Chawton, Alton GU34 1SJ Visit www.chawtonhouse.org for more information!

Three exciting Rare Plant Fairs in May Following on from a very busy start to the new season, the programme of specialist plant fairs continues in May with three great events for gardeners. The first is set in the gardens of Salthrop House, the home of designer Sophie Conran, at Wroughton, near Swindon, on Sunday, May 11th. This is followed by the second event set in the unique grounds of the American Museum American Museum and Gardens and Gardens, in Bath, on Sunday, May 18th, Photo: Peter Hall followed by the largest Fair at Kingston Bagpuize House, near Abingdon, on Sunday, May 25th, in support of local charities SeeSaw and Riding for the Disabled.

There will be a great selection of specialist nurseries attending all of the fairs, including a number of National Plant Collection holders, all experts in the plants that they grow. There will be a wide range of interesting and unusual plants for sale, including choice perennials, plants for shade, rare climbers, alpines, cacti and succulents, herbs and edibles and a great selection of unusual shrubs, all accompanied by the expert advice that you need to select and grow the right plants for your garden There are 13 fairs this year. Visit the website at www.rareplantfair.co.uk for full details of all the events, including lists of the exhibitors attending.

The Plant Fair season is shaping up to be an exhilarating experience for the team behind the Specialist Plant Fairs. Following the success of their first three fairs, they are gearing up for an exciting May including a brand-new event on Thursday, May 8th, at the stunning Symondsbury Estate. This year’s Walled Garden at Moreton Plant Fair promises to be even more impressive, featuring an expanded line-up of talks, guided tours, hands-on workshops, and a carefully curated selection of artisan and gardenrelated craft stalls.

If you have a passion for plants and gardens, don’t miss these Plant Fairs, where you will discover a wide selection of top-quality nurseries.

For more information, visit www.plantfairs.com

© Anna Omiotek-Tott

New Symondsbury estate May fair

Celebrate the joy of gardens and the benefits they bring Find a garden open near you: ngs.org.uk

Elkstone

Twenty five gardens prepare for Cerne Abbas Open Gardens day

OPEN GARDENS DAY

Cerne Abbas’s Annual Gardens will take place from 2pm to 6pm on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June. Some 25 gardens will be open around the ancient village covering a whole range of sizes and styles. The gardeners will be available to answer your questions and share their love of their gardens. Entrance to all gardens is by a map which also serves as a single day ticket, £8 for adults, accompanied under 16s are free. A few gardens are accessible by wheelchairs and most gardens accept well behaved dogs on leads. There is a well-regarded plant stall and home-made teas are provided by the local Youth Club, both commencing at 1pm. Almost all gardens are within easy walking distance of the free car park and are located on the maps. The proceeds will be divided between our Cerne Valley Cricket Club and The Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Sunday 22nd June 2025 2 - 6pm Visit beautiful private gardens, see our very special Norman church, hear the church bells, and enjoy homemade afternoon teas, refreshments, and ice creams will also be available, there will be a plant stall to browse and more.

Car Park free, Adults £7.50, Children under 16 free No dogs allowed in gardens

www.elkstonevillage.com PROCEEDS HELP SUPPORT OUR CHURCH AND VILLAGE HALL

18

Country Gardener

Visit Chawton House and walk in Jane Austen’s footsteps in the year of her 250th Birthday www.chawtonhouse.org

THREE SPECIALIST PLANT & GARDEN FAIRS Organised by Plant Heritage Dorset

Sunday 11th May 2025 At Athelhampton House, Nr Puddletown, Dorset, DT2 7LG Sunday 8th June 2025 & Sunday 31st August 2025 Both at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Dorset, DT3 4LA Plant Fairs open 10am – 3pm Admission includes entry to the gardens 10am-5pm.

Free to all Plant Heritage Members Many specialist nurseries and growers, large selection of garden stalls plus craft & wildlife stalls. Quality refreshments and food. Italian Coffee Stall. Free parking

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Proceeds support Plant Conservation & Education in Dorset www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk/events www.athelhampton.com www.plantheritagedorset.org.uk

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Garden and

Craft and Plant Stalls Petting Farm Craft Demonstrations Have-A-Go Activities Bake-Off Competition Dog Show

Country Fair Circus Performers Speaker’s Tent Live Music ... in 14 acres of RHS partner gardens

10th May 2025, 9.30am - 7.00pm Tickets at: www.bishopspalace.org.uk or www.countrygardener.co.uk

19

GREAT PLACES TO VISIT

Lukesland offers something for everyone during May Lukesland Gardens, just 10 minutes off the A38 in a hidden valley a mile north of Ivybridge, offers 24 acres of colourful and memorable delights for all ages in May. Early on, brilliant banks of azaleas and rhododendrons are luminous against the new green of the beech trees and fill the air with exotic perfumes. Wild blue bells and campions abound by a pretty Dartmoor stream, criss-crossed by many picturesque bridges. Later in the month Lukesland’s well-loved handkerchief trees are spectacular, with their white bracts fluttering in the breeze. Everyone can enjoy home-made soup and cakes in the Victorian tea-room. Dogs are welcome on a lead.

Open Sundays, Wednesdays and Bank Holidays from 11am to 5pm until 8th June.

Adults £9, £8.50 if arriving on foot or horseback. For details visit www.lukesland.co.uk or www.facebook.com/lukeslandgardens or call 01752 691749.

Lukesland Gardens, Ivybridge PL21 0JF

Bishop’s Palace Gardens set to host summer full of events The hugely popular Somerset gardens at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells are again preparing for one of their busiest summers. The 14 acres of tranquil gardens in the heart of medieval Wells will be hosting a series of spring and summer events for the family. The focus of course remains the stunning, gardens in the heart of Wells. One of the individual highlights comes with the Bishop’s Palace Garden and Country Fair which takes place on Saturday, May 25th and is one of the biggest early season events.

Whether you’re a passionate gardener, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking for a family day out, the fair offers something for everyone and the day has become a regular in the calendar in recent years. Over the years the gardens have changed as successive bishops have added their legacy and today these gardens have Grade II listed garden status due to their historic nature.

In 2016, the gardens were acknowledged by the Royal Horticultural Society, by being made a “Partner Garden”. Entry is free most Fridays to RHS members with starred cards. This offer is not valid on certain event days so please check the website for details where you can slo find details of all the summer events being held there.

Bishop’s Palace and Gardens , Wells, BA5 2PD www.bishopspalace.org.uk

Royal Bath & West returns with fresh ideas and old favourites The Royal Bath & West Show returns on Thursday, 29th May for a three-day spectacle.

Visitors will see some exciting new as well as plenty of old favourites at the show which is sone of the regions highlights in the calendar. Exciting plans are also in place for the horticulture area so gardening will be a key theme. Including a new competition Pocket Plots with the chance for both schools and adults to create a sustainable organic and vegetable fruit plot sponsored by Monkton Elm Garden Centre.

The Great British Kitchen returns with a line-up of chefs providing demonstrations including LIsa Cadd, the fuss free foodie who is on a mission to create a community of foodies to eat well without the fuss. The demonstrations are free. As always, food and drink is at the heart of the show and organisers have listened to the feedback of visitors and are introducing a new Cheese Marquee packed with the best cheese the UK has to offer. The regional Food & Drink Marquee will also be overflowing with tasty treats from the local area.

The popular woodland & countryside arena, Includes the skills of the forester and woodman with the Dorset Axemen great British dogs and heavy horses are all making a welcome return, along with a full complement of livestock and equine classes. Gates open at 9am. Dogs are welcome on a lead Adult (includes 2 children aged 5-15 years for free) - £25. www.bathand west.com

Forde Abbey tulips set to delight through to May Nothing screams spring like tulips. They come in all different shapes and sizes with their flamboyant colours and frilly flowers.

Forde Abbey plant thousands of tulips and they have chosen early mid and later flowering varieties to flower right from the beginning of April to early May. There are some carefully selected combinations in various heart-warming colours to welcome you all. A mixture of wild species have been planted in other parts of the garden to blend in harmoniously with the wildflower meadows.

The Tulip Swirl which is very popular in the gardens. Thousands of visitors come from far and wide every year to see the tulip display.

Nominated for Historic Houses ‘Garden of the Year’ award, the garden is set within 30 acres of award winning gardens where you will find something of interest throughout the year. The nursery is stocked with a seasonal selection of reasonably priced herbaceous perennials, grown on site, along with helpful advice and lots of inspiration for the garden The gardens and nursery are open from 10.30am to 5pm (last entry 4pm) through to October 31st Forde Abbey Nursery, Forde Abbey, Chard, Somerset TA20 4LU 20

Longing

for lavender Somerset plantsman Clive Davies has been growing lavender for over 20 years and says he never tires of it If you’re anything like me, you probably love the sight and scent of lavender! It is a very evocative thing to grow and just reminds you of country-slow-living lifestyle.

But lavender is not just a pretty plant—this herbaceous plant offers many benefits, is relatively easy to grow, attracts beneficial insects, and adds a touch of charm to any garden.

I have been growing many varieties of lavender for more than 20 years now and I never tire of it.

Here are just some of the things I have learnt from growing this wonderful plant:

SUN, SUN AND MORE SUN Lavender loves the sun—the more, the better! To get your plant fast growing and well established =, plant in a spot that gets at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day.

Lavender can tolerate partial shade or dappled sunlight for a few hours each day, especially in hot summer climates.In semi-shade, lavender may grow more leggy and produce fewer blooms than plants grown in full sun. However, it can still thrive and give you aromatic foliage.

SANDY, DRY SOIL IS IDEAL Lavender prefers well-drained, sandy soil that is drier and slightly alkaline in pH. If your soil is heavier, amend it with sand or gravel to improve drainage.

Soil without much organic matter will encourage a higher concentration of oils and yummy scents, so mix in less organic matter and fertilizer.

Think Mediterranean sunshine and those wonderful fields of lavender in the south of France to give you a great idea of what lavender needs!

PLANTING Dig a hole slightly larger than your lavender plant’s root ball.

Gently remove the plant from its container and loosen the roots if tightly bound.

Place the lavender plant in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface.

Backfill the hole with soil, pressing it firmly around the base of the plant to remove any air pockets.

Water the newly planted lavender thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.

HOW TO GET THE MOST BLOOMS We want lavender for the blooms so to get your lavender to bloom optimally, there are a few things to consider: If your soil is too fertile, you may have fewer blooms. You can either move your

plants or add sand or gravel to aerate and reduce nutrient density.

Your lavender needs a lot of sun! If it doesn’t get enough, replant it in a different spot or into pots so you can move it around.

Pruning is also your secret weapon. After the first flush of blooms has faded, give your lavender a light trim to encourage new growth and more flowers.

MAINTENANCE Prune lavender plants lightly after flowering to promote bushier growth and prevent woody stems. Proper pruning in early spring will encourage new growth. You can cut back taller varieties by approximately one-third of their height, and lower-growing varieties by a couple of inches or down to new growth.

Remove any dead or damaged growth regularly to keep the plants healthy and tidy.

Fertilization is generally not necessary for lavender, but if the soil is poor or lacking in nutrients, you can apply a balanced fertilizer sparingly in the spring. Be careful, as too much nitrogen can result in leggy growth and fewer blooms.

Types of lavender English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Sometimes called by gardeners in the know true lavender, English lavender is the most widely cultivated species. Its compact growth habit, fragrant flowers, and high oil content make it ideal for culinary, medicinal, and ornamental purposes.

Popular cultivars include ‘Hidcote’, ‘Munstead’, and ‘Lady’.

French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) French lavender is distinguished by its toothed or serrated leaves. It typically has a more sprawling growth habit and produces showy flower spikes topped with tufts of bracts. It is not as cold-hardy as English lavender.Common cultivars include ‘Royal Crown’ and ‘Goodwin Creek Grey’.

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) Spanish lavender has unique flower heads, which feature large, colorful bracts resembling rabbit ears. The flowers are typically topped with a cluster of smaller blooms, creating a striking appearance.

Spanish lavender tends to be more heat and drought-

tolerant, making it suitable for warmer climates.

Popular cultivars include ‘Otto Quast’ and ‘Anouk’.

HARVESTING Lavender blooms are at their peak right before the flowers open fully. Snip the stems just above the first set of leaves. Hang your lavender upside down in a warm, dry place to dry out completely. Once dry, you can use the fragrant blooms in sachets, potpourri, or culinary creations.

Can you grow lavender indoors?

Yes, you can grow but it requires some special considerations to thrive.

• Select lavender varieties that are well-suited for indoor growing. Some cultivars are more compact and better adapted to container cultivation, making them ideal for indoor environments. Look for varieties labelled as suitable for indoor or container growing.

• Lavender is a sun-loving plant and requires bright light to thrive indoors. Place your lavender pots near a south-facing window where they can receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If natural light is limited, supplement with grow lights to provide adequate illumination.

• Lavender plants are susceptible to root rot if they sit in soggy soil, so it’s crucial to use a welldraining potting mix specifically formulated for succulents or cacti. Ensure the containers have drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

• Lavender prefers moderate temperatures and low humidity levels. Aim to keep indoor temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C) during the day and slightly cooler at night.

• Avoid placing lavender plants near drafty windows or heating vents, as sudden temperature fluctuations can stress them. Still, ensure good air circulation around them to prevent fungal diseases.

• Once established, lavender is drought-tolerant, so it’s essential not to overwater indoor plants.

Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly until excess moisture drains from the bottom of the pot.

Avoid letting the soil become waterlogged, which can lead to root rot.

• To keep your indoor lavender plants, compact and bushy, prune them regularly to encourage new growth and prevent legginess. Trim back any leggy or dead stems and spent flowers to promote continuous blooming.

WHY YOU SHOULD GROW LAVENDER SOOTHING FRAGRANCE Lavender gives out a calming and soothing fragrance that can help reduce stress, anxiety, and promote relaxation. Simply brushing against the foliage or harvesting blooms can release the aromatic compounds, creating a tranquil atmosphere in your garden.

THE BEST POLLINATOR Lavender is a magnet for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. The abundant nectar-rich blooms provide a vital food source for these pollinators, helping to support biodiversity and the health of your garden ecosystem.

VERSATILITY Lavender is a versatile plant with a wide range of

Lavender Q and A What is the best month to plant lavender? when to plant lavender The best time to plant lavender depends on climate and growing conditions, but April to May is generally the ideal season for planting lavender. Here’s why: After the frost: lavender is sensitive to cold temperatures, especially new plants What is the 8 8 8 rule for lavender?

The 888 rule dictates that you should prune on the eight day of the eighth month to about eight inches high in the centre of the plant from the ground in a mound shape . Through the last weeks of summer, the plant will put on a small amount of growth and green up into a tidy hillock of lavender. www.countrygardener.co.uk

uses. From adding a floral touch to dishes to herbal remedies, aromatherapy, and DIY projects, lavender offers endless possibilities. Dried blooms can be used in sachets, potpourri, herbal teas, or as a fragrant addition to bath and body products.

LOW MAINTENANCE Lavender is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in various climates and soil conditions. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering and fertilization. Its hardy nature makes it an ideal choice for beginner gardeners or those with busy schedules.

LONG BLOOMING PERIOD Lavender produces abundant blooms that last for an extended period, typically from late spring to early summer. The beautiful lavender-coloured flowers add colour to your garden and attract attention from humans and pollinators alike.

When not to use lavender?

Lavender applied to skin may cause irritation in some people. Oral use of Lavender may cause constipation, headache, and increased appetite. Lavender oil is toxic if taken orally. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid using lavender Does lavender keep spiders away?

Yes, lavender is believed to deter spiders due to its strong scent, which many spiders find unpleasant, and can be used as a natural deterrent by planting lavender or using lavender essential oil.

Is lavender toxic to cats?

Yes, lavender is toxic to cats, especially in the form of essential oils, due to compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate that cats cannot process effectively, potentially causing digestive upset and other health issues.

Can I spray lavender oil on my bed?

Lavender oil is used to address many pest problems, and bed bugs don’t like them either. You can use it as a deterrent by spraying on your mattress. And if you find a bed bug or eggs, a direct spray will kill them.

However, it is not a thorough treatment.

Why are there no bees on my lavender?

Bumble bees have longer tongues than honey bees so, this means the honey bees struggle to reach the nectar through the narrow lavender flowers.

21

BRINGING THE GARDENING

wow factor TO RAILWAY STATIONS

Almost 100 stations throughout the south west are now involved in a Great Western Railways led programme involving hundreds of volunteers to bring garden beauty to the platforms Catching a train can be a stressful thing.

There’s getting to the station, and things such as will the train be on time; will I get a seat; will it get there promptly?

As only a part of their efforts to making the whole travelling experience less stressful and suggesting passengers take time to stop and pause now and again reducing stress levels, GWR has for some time now been investing in a hugely successful programme throughout the south west to bring flowers, plants and gardening to the heart of their network of stations.

The impact has been considerable and much appreciated.

At the core of it are planters, flowers, vegetable growing areas, rockeries, tree planting and herb growing. There has also been room for building bird feeders, bee hotels, organising art displays and organised litter picking.

The whole project operating from Penzance in the

Over 300 volunteers get their hands dirty with hard work at almost 100 stations 22

west throughout Devon and up to Herefordshire and Gloucestershire is now a massively organised system.

GWR operates 197 stations and 94 of them are actively involved in the Station Adopters network where well over 300 volunteers work hard at a whole range of gardening projects.

Nicole Black is Community Impact Relationship Manager for GWR said “The idea of Station Adopters volunteers who join in and at one level help with cleaning up the stations and litter picking and then on another level bring wonderful gardening skills has been a wonderful project to be involved in.

“It is all about the community. We’ve welcomed a tremendous number of new volunteers to our stations, created stunning floral displays despite challenging weather, and hosted some fantastic art installations.

Volunteers have also been actively involved in community- led activities.“ Almost every station has its own project supported by GWR who provide gardening tools, equipment and even gardening advice. They are projects which involve local schools, garden centres and scout groups.

This year will be a special one for many of the projects as they join in with celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the modern railway and a commemoration of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway – a pivotal moment that not only connected people, places and ideas but changed the world.

Adds Nicole: “It’s been an incredibly productive twelve months with new volunteers joining stations for the first time and fresh faces enhancing existing groups. Engagement with young people has been particularly strong.

“This whole initiative is also all about engaging young people with our railway heritage, fostering a sense of community, and ensuring that the spirit of service lives on through future generations. The enthusiasm from the Scouts has been heartwarming, and I can’t wait to see where this partnership takes us.

“The contributions from volunteers are invaluable, and we will continue to provide the funding and resources they need to make a meaningful impact in our communities”.

In their own way each project is inspirational. They range from clean-up operations and litter collecting to very specific gardening projects such as at Barnstable station where volunteers tend a larger area which can be seen from outside the station area by creating space for flowers and plants.

It includes projects including the one headed up by Paul Jupp, owner of the popular Meadow in my Garden company marketing meadow seeds whose own local station is Freshford near Bath and where a sensory garden will wow passengers with wild flowers. It follows on from a GWR funded massive planting of 22,000 spring bulbs around Freshford.

Country Gardener

Freshford station near Bath has seen a sensory garden of wild flowers planted by Paul Jupp of Meadow in My Garden

GROW FERAL GARDEN PROJECT BRINGS COLOUR AND SERENITY TO STATION Grow Feral, is an initiative in Weston-super-Mare which has transformed a previously unused space at the local station into the Open Return Garden, a serene, colourful refuge for passengers and rail staff.

Volunteers have collaborated with schools and organisations dedicated to supporting young people and adults who are neurodivergent or have physical disabilities, engaging them in activities like litter picking, building bird feeders and planting and maintaining Bee Friendly planters. Working alongside existing volunteer groups, these projects have offered participants a chance to build social skills, gain rail confidence and develop practical work experience. The project was founded by Sam Francis and Karen Barry.

YEOVIL NOW A VIBRANT AND INVITING STATION Bob Owen, Chairman of the South Wessex Community Rail Partnership and Line Officer Chantelle Bacon, have rolled up their sleeves to enhance Yeovil Pen Mill station by planting new and refurbished train planters. The refurbishment was skilfully executed by the dedicated team at Yeovil Men’s Shed. They received support from Castle Gardens, the local garden centre, which provided discounts on plants and compost.

Thanks to these efforts, the station is now looking vibrant and inviting. There is a call out to actively seek volunteers to help maintain this station.

Additionally, they are in the process of acquiring a water bowser to ensure the plants remain wellhydrated. Looking ahead, there are plans to create a sensory garden for the community to enjoy.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

YATTON STATION VOLUNTEERS WIN ACCLAIM FOR SUSTAINABLE GARDEN For a quarter of a century, the Friends of Yatton Station have nurtured a sustainable garden, transforming the station garden into a flourishing, tranquil space.

Sustainability is at the heart of the garden’s design. All green waste is composted and mulched back into the soil, improving its fertility over time. Many of their plants and shrubs are donated or grown from collected seeds. The garden is also a haven for wildlife, with most plants chosen to attract pollinators. The station is home to ashy mining bees, squirrels, slow worms and a variety of butterflies. Bird boxes and a beautifully painted bird table by local artist Damien Jeffrey provide additional habitats.

The woodland section of the garden features self-seeding ferns and foxgloves, while geraniums, sea holly and fragrant roses add colour. Recently, old garden paths were uncovered and restored using locally limestone.

The group maintains close ties with the Strawberry Line Café, a social enterprise based at the station. The café employs adults with learning disabilities, who pick flowers from the garden for table displays. Information boards around the station share its historical significance, including its connection to Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

The Friends of Yatton Station have earned an ‘Outstanding’ rating in the Royal Horticultural Society’s It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards.

Yatton station has been transformed with a sustainable garden home to wildlife- and birdboxes

TORQUAY STUDENTS PUT THEIR BACKS IN TO CLEANING UP DEVON STATIONS Students from Combe Pafford School Sixth Form in Torquay have been contributing to the upkeep of local railway stations with their volunteer work. Each Monday, a group of students carries out tasks at Torquay station, helping to clear a large overgrown bank, clean rough surfaces and pick up litter. The Monday group has extended their litter-picking efforts to Paignton station.

On Tuesdays, another group from Combe Pafford School works at Totnes and Newton Abbot stations, focusing on litter-picking and cleaning.

The students have enjoyed their experiences, made more rewarding by free train travel to and from the stations, which has fostered their independence.

Central to the project mission is fostering community involvement. Since launching three years ago, they have collaborated with local gardeners in a community payback scheme to clear land and build raised planters, which now flourish with thriving plants.

New signage and artistic plaques guide visitors through the garden, showcasing the diverse range of edible plants and pollinators.

Grow Feral host groups such as refugees for a food-growing and cooking project, and partner with local organisations to promote a circular food economy. Regular sessions are also held for homeschooled children, offering lessons in horticulture, artistic creation for the garden, and even a rail visit to the Secret Garden project at Avonmouth station.

This summer, their garden open day attracted over 300 visitors, including representatives from local organisations and members of the community.

Stations are being added to the adopters all the time and stations included in the GWR scheme recently include: • Barnstaple • Bere Alston • Bridgwater • Cheltenham • Chetnole • Cholsey • Dawlish • Evesham • Filton Abbey Wood • Gloucester

• Gunnislake • Highbridge & Burnham • Honeybourne • Kemble • Lawrence Hill • Lympstone Village • Newton Abbot • Parson Street • Penmere • Redland

• Saltash • Seamills • Shirehampton • Stonehouse • Stroud • Torquay • Totnes • Trowbridge • Weston-super-Mare • Yate

Said Nicole, “We owe a heartfelt gratitude for the incredible work our volunteers do and we also know how much they enjoy it and how rewarding they find it. There’s a shared sense of anticipation as we prepare for the significant projects and changes on the horizon.”

Garden advice for May The new growing season has brought with it a bumper list of questions and queries from readers. If you need any help and advice of gardening issues then email us at editorial@countrygardener.co.uk

Should you take the runners off raspberry plants and if transplanted do they stay true to the parent plant?

Linda Forster Taunton It’s a good idea to remove raspberry suckers to keep the plants with their allotted space.

If you would like to use them elsewhere in the garden or share them they can certainly be potted up and they will be true to the parent plant. When you remove the suckers try to dig down a little and get some roots. These can then be potted up at the same depth that they were growing in the ground.

Which tulips can be left in the ground? Our display in recent years has been very disappointing and expensive. I planted a clump three years ago and now there is just one single bloom waving at us.

George Radcliffe sent via email Daffodils and snowdrops spread and multiply but that isn’t true of tulips which can be frustrating. There are two factors. One is the variety of tulip. A few tulips, such as ‘Ballerina’ and ‘Spring Green’, are good at coming back year after year and don’t need attention. Others need to be dug up and replanted the following spring.

The other tip is to plant your tulips very deep - up to 12 inches deep, which is far deeper than you would ever see on the packet and this seems to encourage their reappearance year on year.

What is the most reliable form of grafting on fruit trees. I am newly retired and have some more time on my hands and would like to give it a try.

This really needs a much more thorough answer.

It really depends on what you are trying to achieve and what kind of plant material (age, size etc.) that you are working with. One of the most common methods is the whip graft which is used when grafting root stocks and scions together. This basically joins a selected variety onto a rootstock with specific attributes such as improved vigour, dwarfism. It is most effective when the plant material used are no more than half an inch in diameter. Many young, grafted plants that you buy will have been grafted in this manner. If you are hoping to have a go at grafting then the spring is the time to do it, just as the buds of the rootstock are beginning to open. It certainly needs more research on your part.

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23

I have some rose bushes in my garden that were left by the previous owner. A couple of them seem to have flowers with very floppy stems - they’re not strong enough to hold up the flowers. Is this just a problem with the varieties I’m growing - but there are two different (unknown) ones with this problem, growing near each other - or are they short of minerals or trace elements, which would help them hold their heads up properly? They are growing on clay and I don’t cosset them but my other roses seem fine with similar unkind treatment.

Harriett Cleese Blandford

This is a common problem with roses, particularly the large flowered English Rose types.

The big puffy flower heads are too heavy for the stems, particularly in wet weather. This is their normal growth habit and tends to improve as the plant matures. You can help to prop them up by inserting a few sticks discreetly around the bush to hold the growth more upright. Insufficient sun can also be a contributing factor to weak spindly growth.

You can encourage stronger growth and thicker stems by pruning them back in winter by no more than a half. Don’t worry about soil type - roses grow well on clay. They are quite greedy plants however, so an application of slow release fertiliser in spring and autumn will be beneficial.

How can I use banana skins to fertilise the garden? As a family we eat a lot of bananas and I feel I should be using them more.

Andy Browne Dorchester Bananas are great for the garden, in the soil and around plants. As the peel decomposes it releases a variety of essential minerals and fertilising elements such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous and magnesium -all nutrients which are crucial for plant growth, flowering, and fruit set. Potassium to help encourage big and bright blooms; phosphorus for roots and shoots; and magnesium to help photosynthesis, the smaller you cut up the skins the quicker the goodness will get into the soil.

Our Magnolia stellata looks very sick and has done for a few years now with pale looking branches and only a handful of weak flowers. At what stage should I give up on it which obviously I don’t want to do .

Martin Greene Minehead Magnolias are notorious for going through ‘quiet’ spells where they don’t always look in the best of health which suggests your tree might be worth trying to save. It almost certainly needs feeding! First test the soil for deficiencies and feed accordingly. You could add an all-purpose, compost and also prune off any dead branches. Make sure you clear all the weeds from a wide area at the base of the tree.

I have a large Acer griseum, the paperback maple which I planted in the late 1980s and it is now more than ten metres wide and 30 ft tall. When is a good time to prune the tree. I want to remove the lower branches to raise the canopy.

Si Norton sent via email Acer griseum should only be pruned in the dormant season soon after the leaves have dropped. If you do it any later it can bleed copiously causing die back. If you are at all unsure cut back just one branch and see if there is any bleeding. Generally, you need to remove any crossing and conflicting growth from the middle of the tree.

I have an apple tree. When we first moved here to just outside Torquay it fruited. Now for the last three years it has had blossom on it but all the leaves die and nothing comes.

Alison Howell Torquay The problem with the leaves could be down to several things making the leaves die back. For example, curling apple leaves are often caused by pest such as aphids. Take a closer look at your tree to see if you can spot the problem. If you can find no evidence of disease or pests then aim to improve the growing conditions of your tree. Compacted soil can be critical to the health of a tree, reducing air, water and the availability of nutrients at the roots.

You can improve the soil conditions by aerating the ground around the root zone. Remember the root zone may spread beyond the extent of the canopy. Follow this by spreading a thick mulch of organic matter such as well rotted manure across the area but avoid mounding it up around the trunk. Don’t try to dig it in. Just let it break down naturally to improve soil fertility and retain moisture in the soil. This may not solve the problem directly, but will certainly improve your tree’s health and vigour which will make it more resistant to pest and disease problems.

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Can you tell me why my honeysuckle is not flowering?

It is on a south facing wall in very well drained sandy soil. It has plenty of foliage and is two years old.

My father who was a very enthusiastic grower of potatoes never used to bother with chitting potatoes which seems now to be the cornerstone of advice. Is there anything to suggest going through this process does any good?

Margie Davison Dartmouth It is not essential to chit potatoes before you plant them. It does give them a head start on potatoes which have not been chitted.

In turn, this may give a slightly earlier and bigger harvest.

Commercial growers don’t bother chitting potatoes as it would be too time consuming to do. They keep them dormant in cold storage just under 4°C and then plant out when the soil warms up to around 8°C. If you are new to growing potatoes, you might want to try chitting some and not chitting others to see the difference. You can generally start chitting potatoes from late January into February. Seed potatoes need up to six weeks of chitting before they are ready to plant. This will give them a chance to sprout and start putting on growth.

I have an ornamental cherry tree in the front garden and its leaves have started going brown but not falling off, it is on three branches so far, is it dying? The tree is about twelve foot tall and has been in ten years.

Belinda Grahame Exeter If the tree has been there for ten years already and the damage is localised then the cause is likely to be a disease of some sort, such as cherry leaf scorch. However, it is still worth checking that there is no obvious mechanical damage to the tree, and no obvious changes to its growing conditions. Rake up any fallen leaves and burn them to prevent the spread of any fungal spores. Trees are often more resilient than we anticipate and capable of compartmentalising wood within their branches to prevent the spread of decay and disease that may have entered the branches themselves. Don’t despair just yet - it may well survive, even if it looks a bit scruffy.

Frankie Ince

Bournemouth There are several different varieties of honeysuckle, some of which have a long lead in period before they flower so this may be a variety which takes a few years to blossom. If so, then patience is the only solution.

Pruning might be a great help and you can cut the plant back heavily in the autumn to give it new impetus. Also good old fashioned tender love and care might help including an organic feed and mulching for example.

Country Gardener

I have recently had two eucalyptus trees cut down in my garden as they were taking all of the light. They were about ten years old. After they had been cut down I thought that would be the end of them, but to my dismay the stumps have started to re shoot, so could you please advise me how to kill them off without having them bored out with machinery. I have heard there is a treatment where you can insert through drilled holes in the stumps.

Will Phillips Dunster Eucayptus trees are notoriously difficult to get rid of. They have a powerful root system and are very fast growing. After ten years they might be well established and some of the options you hint at may not be very practical or safe. You may have to consider a professional tree surgeon.

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ACCESSORIES

Quality time in the garden - ONE WAY OR ANOTHER

The numbers of hours we spend in the garden probably reaches a peak in May. It may not quite have the longest hours of daylight but it’s the busiest time of the year and we probably spend more time in the fresh air than at any other time.

Apart from its breathtaking beauty May brings with it a couple of unique things. Amongst all the hard work is the chance to sit back and enjoy the spring flowers and your early season efforts. It’s a time to perhaps consider what you can do to improve your gardening offering. Is it time you finally opted for a

greenhouse with new furniture, extra luxuries to improve the value of your property or just the odd new fixture and fittings?

It’s also the time of year when you don’t want all that hard work in spring to plan and that means making sure everything is growing at full steam and flowers and shrubs are looking their best.

At Country Gardener we are always on the lookout for great products and fresh ideas so here’s a few which might tempt you make the garden even more enjoyable and your home more pleasurable.

Fabulous bespoke awnings from Eden - now with up to 25per-cent off* Enjoy alfresco evenings with a stylish Eden Awning. Even better, an Eden Awning is also available with a excellent finance deal – Buy Now, Pay later plus you can save up to 25per-cent off* in their Spring Sale.

Constructed from the highest quality materials, bespoke manufactured and installed

by Eden’s own engineers, this awning is a stunning addition to any home.

With optional accessories such as intelligent heating, lighting and controls to suit all needs you can spend more time ‘outdoors’ in comfort. Every Eden Awning is powder coated with a hard-wearing weather-proof finish, available in a choice of 156 RAL colours and 170 Fabric choices. To benefit from these offers, visit edenverandas.co.uk or call 0800 1571677 and use code CG010525. *Terms and Conditions apply, see website at www.edenverandas.co.uk for details.

High quality gardening products built in Somerset to last Somerlap offers a wide range of high-quality garden products that are both competitively priced and built to last. The timber is sourced sustainably with many of products proudly made in Somerset. Since 1991 they have been crafting their own quality garden products at a five-acre site in Mark. Alongside o own creations, they carefully select and stock complementary garden products from trusted manufacturers. As a fully employee-owned business, Somerlap is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and aftercare.

The knowledgeable team is also on hand to offer advice and help design bespoke outdoor living solutions tailored to your needs. www.somerlap.co.uk

Safe and effective unique controls for all your shrubs and climbers You can control your shrubs and climbers this year using Rivelin Glen Products uniquely designed Wire Anchors. They are quick and easy to attach to concrete posts (without drilling) to act as an ‘eye’ by threading wire through them to create a trellising system.

The Gripple Trellising System is ideal to use with the anchors as the wire does not stretch, takes up to 100kg load & has a life of up to 15 years. Multiple rows can be achieved with one length of wire and two tensioners. No more sore hands or sagging wires!

Rivelin Glen Products are the main stockists of the Gripple Trellising System.

Prices: Wire Anchors from £10.25 for a pack of three; Gripple Starter Kit - £20.25

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At Somerlap our range of quality garden products is both competitively priced and built to last. Our timber comes from sustainable sources with many of our products made in Somerset.

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Visit our website to view our other gardening accessories and gift ideas www.rivelinglenproducts.co.uk info@rivelinglenproducts.co.uk 01246 462666 26

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GARDEN VISITS

GARDENS TO VISIT

LARAPINTA Bridgerule, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7EF Another new opening for the NGS on Sundays 11th and 25th May from 11am until 4pm each day, Larapinta, at Bridgerule, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7EF has a stunning wisteria spanning approximately 50 ft dripping with purple flowers and filling the garden with a wonderful scent.

There are colourful borders, a Koi pond, fruit area, small woodland walk, a new Japanese area, and wonderful views to Bodmin and Widemouth from the top field.

Admission £5, children free.

in May

compiled by Vivienne Lewis In the beautiful month of May amongst the hundreds of private gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme across the country to raise funds for nursing and caring charities, there are many new open gardens for visitors to explore. Here’s a selection of new openings and well established favourites in the areas covered by Country Gardener and beyond, including one in Wales. We advise checking wherever possible before starting out on a journey as circumstances can force cancellations. www.ngs.org.uk

BARFORD HOUSE Spaxton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 1AG Opens for the NGS on Thursday 15th May from 2pm until 5pm, has a secluded walled garden with wide borders, kitchen garden beds, shrubs and fruits trees. Lawns lead to a six-acre woodland garden of camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias. Stream-side gardens feature candelabra primulas, ferns, foxgloves and lily-ofthe-valley among veteran pines and oaks, and some rarer trees. Admission £7, children free.

THE MANOR South Street, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9DL Opens for the NGS on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May, 10am until 5pm each day, has a hidden and unexpectedly large walled garden in the town centre around a 17th century manor house. Yew hedges provide good structure and divide the garden into distinct areas, with a formal pond garden, vegetable garden with box edging, orchard and tiny ‘lockdown’ garden created in 2020. Admission £7, children free.

ASHRIDGE COURT North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2DH A new opening for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th May and again on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd May, from 11am until 4pm each day. The main six-acre garden dates from the early 1900s, the walled garden much older, with a stunning range of mature conifers, an Arts and Crafts circular garden room, Japanese maples; woodland walk via tree ferns, newly planted flowering trees and shrubs, stumpery, and upper arboretum, all being restored. Also open on dates in June, October and November.

Admission £6, children free.

THE OLD VICARAGE Powerstock, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3TE A new opening for the NGS, on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May, from 12pm until 5pm, is a classic English garden of 1½ acres with many rooms and several notable trees.

Extensively replanted over the past five years with a variety of herbaceous borders, grasses, a rose terrace and a tulip and dahlia square under a crab apple canopy. It also features a rare ‘maiden’ ancient mulberry, a ‘font garden’ (with Victorian font), vegetable garden, pond, orangery, orchard and croquet lawn. Admission £5, children free.

OUR KEY TO FACILITIES:

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Refreshments available

Plants usually for sale

Wheelchair access to much of garden

Partial wheelchair access

Unsuitable for wheelchairs

Dogs on short leads

No dogs allowed

Visitors welcome by arrangement

Coaches welcome consult owners

Accommodation at this venue

Picnics welcome

LITTLE FIELDS Somers Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3EX Another new opening for the NGS, on Sunday 25th May from 1pm until 5pm, is an evolving coastal garden created over the last six years from a blank canvas with pebble and gravelled connecting areas.

The garden entrance is an avenue of cypress trees and lavenders leading into a number of garden rooms, the first an Asian themed tropical garden; ponds, patios, Mediterranean planting, olive trees, loquat trees, a rhododendron hedge and a pergola with sea views. Admission £5, children free.

THE OLD VICARAGE 2 CHAPEL HAY CLOSE

Talland, Cornwall, PL13 2JA

Churchdown, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL3 2HP

Opening for the NGS on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May (also 28th/29th June) from 1pm until 4pm each day, a vibrant four-acre south-facing coastal garden, with varied stunning vistas of Talland Bay, the ancient Talland Church and surrounding hills.

Mature Monterey pines lead directly to the South West Coast Path. Restoring this historic churchyard garden an ongoing labour of love since 2018; paths and some steep steps wind through terraced gardens, with seating to rest and enjoy the wonderful views. Admission £5, children free.

Another new opening for the NGS on Sunday 4th and Bank Holiday Monday 5th May from 11am until 5pm, a plantaholic’s garden. Steep with terraced borders and retaining walls of stone and timber, it’s mostly planted for year-round interest and has steep steps with handrails, paths, patio and structures, perennials, shrubs, young trees, climbers, tapestry lawn, gravel areas, water features, a tiny vegetable plot and greenhouse. Admission £4, children free.

ASHLEY MANOR Ashley, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8SX Grade II* and a new opening for the NGS on Friday 30th May from 11am until 4pm, Ashley Manor set in a charming rural hamlet, and has the classic Cotswold garden elements: stone walls, yew, topiary, ponds, lawns, borders, orchards, paddocks, hedging, fruit and vegetables, the result of the incremental work of three families of gardeners over 100 years; nothing is particularly symmetrical and some elements appear oddly placed, kept to preserve the evolution.

Admission £7.50, children free.

EASTWELL MANOR Eastwell Road, Potterne, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 5QG

BRICK KILN COTTAGE The Avenue, Herriard, near Alton, Hampshire, RG25 2PR Opens for the NGS on Saturday 10th May from 11.30am until 3pm, is a bluebell woodland wildlife haven, a two-acre garden with a perimeter woodland path, a treehouse, pebble garden, billabong, ferny hollow, bug palace, waterpool, shepherd’s hut and a traditional cottage garden filled with herbs. Admission £6, children free.

Opens for the NGS on Saturday 31st May from 1.30pm until 5pm, was built by the family in 1570, a small manorial estate with its own brew house, granary and stables. The garden, based on terraces, features a banqueting house against a backdrop of woodland, with wonderful views to Salisbury Plain over water, and various specialist trees and mature palms. Admission £8, children free.

www.countrygardener.co.uk

29

GARDEN VISITS

WINKELBURY HOUSE

21 CHESTNUT ROAD

Berwick St John, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0EY

Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7RF

Opening for the NGS on Saturday 17th May, 2pm5pm, 1½ acres with glorious views of the surrounding countryside; kitchen garden with bothy and greenhouse, mown paths through informal areas, meadow planted with spring bulbs, 30m iris border, ha-ha, wildlife pond and beefriendly planting. Admission £7.50, children free.

Opens for the NGS on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May, (also 7th/8th June and in August) is a third of an acre garden in a central village location, full of colour, scent and inspirational ideas for gardening in sun, shade, wet or dry areas; nature inspired formal, naturalistic, and themed areas with statues, fairies, ponds, and a productive fruit and vegetable area. Paintings, plants and bug boxes usually available for sale, a percentage going to the NGS. Admission £5, children free.

Y FELIN

THE ALPINE GARDEN SOCIETY

Tynygraig, Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion, SY25 6AE

Avon Bank, Wick, Pershore, Worcestershire, WR10 3JP

Opening for the NGS on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May from 1pm until 5pm, a two acre garden set within a 14-acre wooded landscape with historic industrial features, including a former corn mill and pond. Caradog Falls 100ft waterfall can be seen from the garden. Masses of rhododendron, azalea, camellia and magnolia with many other unusual trees and shrubs, woodland walks through a fragment of temperate rainforest to the waterfall.

Admission £5, children free.

HYDE’S HOUSE Dinton, Wiltshire, SP3 5HH Opening for the NGS on Sunday 25th May from 2pm until 5pm, a charming 16th/18th century Grade I listed house 9not open) is the setting for three acres of wild and formal garden in a beautiful situation with hedged garden rooms, numerous shrubs, flowers and borders, all allowing tolerated wild flowers and preferred weeds, while others creep in. Large walled kitchen garden, herb garden and a 13th century dovecote, lovely courtyard, and walks around the park and lake. Admission £8, children free.

Opening for the NGS on Saturday 17th May and Wednesday 4th June, 11am-4pm, an inspirational small garden next to the Alpine Garden Society office. The garden shows a wide range of alpine plants that are easy to grow in contemporary gardens over a long season; different settings to grow alpines, inc rock and tufa, scree, a dry Mediterranean bed, shade and sunny areas, also a dedicated alpine house, and many pots and troughs with alpines and small bulbs. Admission £4, children free.

JOURNEY’S END Green Lane, Ilsington, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ13 9RB Opening for the NGS on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May, 10am-5pm, a two-acre garden set up for wildlife with a Deer Leap, fox and hedgehog feeding stations, five seating areas, three mixed borders, a large spring fed pond with newts, frogs and lots of dragonflies, two raised beds for herbs and vegetables, and a buddleia walkway for butterflies to feast on.

Visitors can also enjoy a Wildlife Photographic Exhibition. Admission £5, children free.

HIGHNAM COURT Highnam, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL2 8DP Opening for the NGS on Sunday 4th May from 11am until 5pm (also 3rd August), 40 acres of Victorian landscaped gardens surround the magnificent 17th century Grade I* listed house (not open). Set out by the artist Thomas Gambier Parry, restored by the current owner. Lakes, shrubberies, a wildflower meadow, multiple rose gardens (5000+ roses), knot gardens, an oriental garden, a newly constructed white garden, kitchen garden, wood carvings and a listed Pulhamite water garden with grottos and fernery, rare air plants and carnivorous plants in the orangery. Admission £6, children free.

30

Country Gardener

READER’S STORY

SPRING BULBS

NEED AN ‘AFTERCARE’ SERVICE GET YOUR OWN

cut flower heaven Country Gardener reader Ava Cooper gave up growing vegetables three years ago to focus on her own cut flowers - and it’s been, she says, a wonderful journey

Gardeners spend a lot of money every new gardening season on spring bulbs but not enough is done to make sure they survive and flourish year after year Gardens, containers and window boxes are awash with the beauty of daffodils, tulips, crocuses, hyacinths and many other spring bulbs. But as they start to fade, you may be wondering what to do next and how to care for your plants to ensure healthy growth and stunning displays next year and beyond.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help with aftercare once your spring bulbs have flowered.

Deadhead: Once the flowers of your spring bulbs have faded, remove them by deadheading the flowers. Deadheading prevents the plant from expending energy on seed production, allowing it to focus on storing nutrients in the bulb for next year’s growth. Simply snip off the tired flower heads but leave the stem and foliage intact so your bulbs stay strong and are ready to bloom again.

Foliage: One of the most important rules of bulb care is to leave the foliage alone until it has completely yellowed and died down. The green leaves play a vital role in photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy that is stored in the bulb. Cutting or tying back the foliage prematurely can weaken the bulb and reduce its ability to produce flowers next year, so wait until the foliage is dry and completely dead before taking out the snippers!

Feeding: After flowering, bulbs will still need some nourishment to replenish their energy stores, ready for next year. Continue watering them regularly and apply a high-potash plant food, such as tomato feed, every couple of weeks for about six weeks after they have died down.

Tidy: Once the foliage has fully died back and yellowed, we recommend that you remove any dead leaves or stems to prevent pests and diseases from taking hold in your flower beds or pots. Clearing away debris also creates space for new plants or seeds to bloom in summer, keeping your garden looking fresh and vibrant all year round.

Plant for summer: Spring bulb beds can be transformed into vibrant summer displays after clearing away dead foliage. Your local British Garden Centres store will stock summer bulbs ready to plant, like lilies, dahlias, gladiolus, or begonias. Alternatively, sow annual seeds such as cosmos, zinnias, or marigolds to fill your garden with colour throughout and fill the void where your spring bulbs were.

Leave or lift your bulbs: Some bulbs can remain in the ground year-round, while others may need lifting and storing through the year. Daffodils and crocuses typically do well when left undisturbed underground. Tulips, however, can benefit from being lifted after their foliage dies back. Store lifted bulbs in a cool, dry place until autumn planting, ready for a spring season with a pop of colour again!

Spring flowering bulbs are a joy to behold as they spring to life with colour after the dark, gloomy days of winter. With a little care and attention after they have bloomed, your spring bulbs will not only brighten your garden year after year but also create the perfect foundation for a vibrant, blooming display throughout the seasons.

For the past three summers I’ve found real joy in my garden. It was all based on a simple decision.

I gave up growing vegetables and in seven raised beds in my Devon garden I started to grow cut flowers. And if I say it myself, I have been pretty good at it.

I fell out of love with growing vegetables-perhaps I had been doing it too long and it was a bit repetitive-potatoes, leeks, tomatoes, garlic and so on. It didn’t inspire me anymore.

It has been a wonderful journey with my flowers. I’ve found without doubt having an almost daily high summer source of fresh flowers available for special occasions or just to keep the house looking colourful and beautiful is as much a treat for the soul as it is a rewarding labour of love.

Growing your own cut flowers is fun rewarding, good for you, good for nature and I have found my own personal favourites that I don’t think I would be able to buy elsewhere.

Growing cut flowers is an exercise in letting go – every year so far has been different.

Some seeds will flourish, others will flounder. So, I adopt a laidback approach and let nature decide what kind of a show she’d like.

Let’s start by saying that there’s no precise definition of what constitutes a cut flower.

My rule is, if you can cut it and stick it in a vase and it doesn’t immediately die that’s enough for me.

When I’m planning my cut-flower beds, I treat them like an artist’s canvas. Variety is key – I want a glorious riot of colour and a mix of flower shapes. I also want differing heights including tall exclamation marks such as foxgloves or larkspur. Visually, I also think about what I want in my flower arrangements when I finally get to that stage.

I grow a mix of large dazzling blooms, like dahlias or roses, and intersperse them with plants that produce multiple, smaller flowers such as cornflowers, love-in-the-mist or Ammi majus. Sweet peas are a must but you have plant supports and of course flourish the more you pick them.

I’d like to say I have a grand plan when it comes to sowing seeds and planting but I take a scattergun approach. The cut-flower bed already contains a handful of perennials – they come back every year, never let me down and include verbena, roses, salvias and euphorbias.

I sow most of my annual flowers directly in the soil in April or May. I’ll also plant out any plug plants I’ve bought or seedlings I started off in the greenhouse. I draw a rough sketch of what I plan to plant where, so I can remember where I’ve sown and what I’m aiming for in terms of colour and balance.

June is a great month to take stock – things should be starting to get going but I often find I have a few gaps that need filling.

There’s no shame in planting a pot-grown specimen into a bed – I often boost the cutflower garden this way, especially if my earlier sowing hasn’t worked too well.

You can even sow some seeds directly in the ground for a late-summer harvest; calendula, candytuft, nigella and sunflowers are all quick to grow. And don’t forget bulbs and tubers– they’ll bring you armfuls of scented blooms. Dahlias, alliums, lilies, gladioli, agapanthus – it’s a painter’s palette waiting to be explored.

FOUR SUMMER BLOOMS TO GROW SWEET PEAS With their heady fragrance and array of colours, these will keep you in cut flowers now and well into September.

COSMOS Easy to grow and a favourite of pollinating insects, this cheerful flower will provide blooms from June until October.

SNAPDRAGONS Beloved by florists for their full spikes and bright bubblegum shades, these will flower for months on end.

ZINNIAS Delightful zinnias burst into flower between July and early autumn and come in a colour chart of shades.

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TOUGHEN UP YOUR PLANTS May is the month when plants raised indoors or in a greenhouse need to be acclimatised to cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and increased air movement for two or three weeks before they are planted outdoors. This annual ‘toughening up’ process is known as ‘hardening off’

Young plants bought from nurseries or grown from seed to grow outdoors need to be hardened off in late April and May. Hardening off allows plants to adapt from being in a protected, stable environment to changeable, harsher outdoor conditions. If suddenly placed outside, the shock can severely check a plant’s growth. Although plants usually recover eventually, hardening off is better than a sudden shock.

The effect of hardening off is to thicken and alter the plant’s leaf structure and increase leaf waxiness. It ensures new growth is sturdy although growth will be much slower than in the greenhouse. But be warned: hardening off does not make frost-sensitive plants hardy.

All plants are hardened off in gradual stages.

Why do seedlings need to be hardened off?

Hardening off is the process of toughening up tender plants to prepare them for life outdoors. You do this by acclimating your plants, getting them used to direct sun and harsher conditions by allowing them to spend time outdoors before planting. Don’t put tender seedlings outdoors! If you fail to get your plants ready for the outdoor conditions, then they may experience transplant shock when transplanted into the garden. Transplant shock occurs when plants suddenly find themselves in a new, unfamiliar environment. It can cause their leaves to wilt, no new roots to take hold and your plant may even die.

When to harden off seedlings?

The hardening off process needs to start when plants develop a sturdy stem and root system with a growth of leaves above the soil. The specific time that this type of growth takes will vary, so there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ answer.

are too high/low. You will want to minimise the stress on your fragile fruit or vegetable seedlings. This exercise will introduce them to the idea of growing outdoors without overwhelming them. Your plant is a living, breathing organism and a slow and steady approach is best.

Protect them harsh early spring weather.

Shielding young seedlings from any wind or rain is important in the first few days. You can gradually take tender seedlings outdoors on windy days to continue to harden them. Though when it comes to harsher conditions like frost, hail or strong winds extra measures must be undertaken to protect y delicate seedlings. Invest in a covering to keep them protected. This will also serve to protect your seedlings from animals, so it’s a worthwhile investment.

shaded area or chose to put them out only on a cloudy day, you can now move plants gradually into direct sunlight.

Slowly move them into areas with partial sun, working their way up to full sun exposure.

Hardening off takes two to three weeks, but the warmer the initial growing conditions, the longer the hardening off period. Hardy plants acclimatise faster than half-hardy or tender kinds. To be on the safe side, do not plant out tender plants before the date of the last frost which is usually late spring.

Increase exposure It’s time to gradually increase their exposure to the elements over the next week. Extend the duration of time they spend outdoors by a few hours each day. You’ll also need to slowly adjust the area where they have been sitting, gradually increasing their exposure to the wind and sun.

Slowly transition outdoors

Increase light intensity

To acclimate seedlings take them out into a shaded, sheltered area and allow them to sit for a few hours. Make sure you don’t choose a windy day or when temperatures

After you initially kept your plants in a well-

You can gradually take tender seedlings outdoors on windy days to continue to harden them

Equipment to help you with the hardening off experience Plants raised in heated glasshouses and on windowsills should go first into a cold glasshouse if available.

other floating films, laid over or around plants hastening their growth, and protecting against weather and pests. They can be used without supporting hoops.

A propagator with a vented or unvented lid provides a humid, slightly warmer atmosphere. It is useful to help seeds germinate and root cuttings.

For the first week, leave outside during the day, but bring in at night. In the second week reduce to one layer of fleece. Towards the end of the fortnight remove the fleece during the day.

If you don’t have a greenhouse, move plants into a cold frame, with the lid open slightly during the days of the first week and closed at night.

Covering with an old curtain or extra fleece can protect from sudden sharp night frosts that occasionally occur in late spring.

You can use a cloche but this does not give as much protection as a coldframe.

A cloche is best used to protect plants, especially overwintered and early vegetables, from wet and cold weather and to warm the soil before planting.

If there are no specialist aides available, place plants in a sheltered position in front of a south-facing wall or hedge and cover with two layers of transparent fleece and

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The most common problem when hardening off is damage from cold temperatures, or even a late frost. If this happens, cut out the damaged growth and continue to harden off. In warm weather pests such as greenfly might multiply and need controlling.

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WATER FEATURE

Time to invest in water?

GARDEN PONDS WITH THEIR OWN ECOSYSTEM ADD THE MAGICAL QUALITY OF WATER INTO A GARDEN AND CREATE A HAVEN FOR WILDLIFE SAYS EXPERT TOM NAYLOR

We didn’t invent the ecosystem that keeps our fish happy and our water crystal clear. Nature did. What we try to do is replicate nature in a man-made environment.

So, digging a hole in the ground, throwing in the garden hose and calling it a day isn’t going to cut it.

Each element of a properly designed pond has a crucial role to play in keeping your ecosystem balanced and your pond a pleasant place to hang out for wildlife.

Water brings a magical quality to your garden and is the key to life for so many creatures that live there.

The Covid shutdown saw record numbers of new ponds and the huge growth in interest is continuing. It’s easy to create a very small pond out of something like an old washing up bowl, so you can have a minipond in any sized garden. If you’ve got more space to spare, building a large pond is a rewarding challenge for you and a gift for wildlife.

It’s exciting to watch pond skaters, water lice (they look like long-legged underwater woodlice), freshwater shrimps, and if you’re lucky, a few damselflies darting around the water. You might even see a bird having a bath.

You can build a pond at any time of year, but spring is ideal for larger ponds as the ground isn’t too wet or dry and is perfect for digging.

The golden rules for large ponds are: • Shallow shelving margins – make sure that anything such as hedgehogs that fall in can easily get out • Deeper areas, but you don’t need to go too deep (600mm in the middle is fine)

• Plenty of submerged aquatic pondweed • Plenty of emergent vegetation.

Get creative with your shape, using wiggly margins or a perfectly geometric shape – wildlife won’t mind either way.

Try doing a sketch on paper and use string to set out your edges before digging.

While it’s possible to line a pond with concrete, I recommend using either a pre-moulded liner – usually fiberglass, they are expensive but durable, or a flexible liner – materials include plastic (PVC), butyl rubber and EPDM rubber (such as Firestone).

Don’t bend round right angles so use them for more naturally curving ponds. A flexible liner will come as a rectangle. The liner dimensions you will need will be (the maximum length of the pond plus twice the maximum depth) by (the maximum width plus twice the maximum depth). As a rough guide, a 3metres by 3metres liner will cost £50 - £100. Buy the best quality you can afford so that it won’t leak and will last longer.

If using a flexible liner, dig a slightly larger hole than you need (about 50mm extra all the way round and down). Then make sure you remove all rocks, roots and sharp objects from the hole. Don’t cut the liner yet.

To ensure the liner doesn’t get punctured, place a 50mm layer of sand all around the hole. Then over this put sheets of manmade pond underlay, so that rocks and roots can’t penetrate it.

It’s best to use rainwater is from a water butt, as tap water contains nitrates and phosphates which may give you algae problems.

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TIME OFF

READER’S STORY

SO, WHAT’S IN A NAME? Jon Patterson spent four nights at an evening class in Bristol in January learning about the mysteries of botanical plant names and found the experience very worthwhile I have just completed a great evening class course at Bristol University which means for the first time in the many years I have been gardening, I finally understand botanical plant names.

It has always been a mystery to me.

I’ve been a gardener for the best part of 40 years and have managed to muddle through when it came to identifying plants, flowers, shrubs and trees but the four-week course I went to in January unlocked everything in a quite wonderful way, I admit I was daunted by botanical plant names but the reality is they’re easier to understand than you might think and I am keen for more gardeners to share the answers.

Clearly there are hundreds of thousands of plant species on the planet, with new ones being discovered or bred each year. To distinguish between them, each is given a unique name - often referred to as the Latin name, the scientific name or the botanical name.

While it’s fine to use common names such as lady’s mantle, poppy or heather, these can cause confusion, even within the same geographical area. For example, a harebell in England is known as a bluebell in Scotland. To confuse matters even more, each plant can have several common names, not only within individual countries but around the world.

“Botanical plant names can look off-putting and complicated, but now I find they’re simple once you get the hang of them and they explain a lot about a plant’ The binomial (i.e. two-name) naming system we use today, invented by a Swedish botanist called Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century, gets around this by giving each plant its own unique name. It means that wherever you are in the world, and whatever language you speak, you will be able to identify a plant. A Rosa rugosa (Japanese rose) will be recognised whether you live in Manchester, Melbourne or Mumbai.

Botanical plant names can look off-putting and complicated, but now I find they’re simple once you get the hang of them. They can tell you a lot about a plant, including its main characteristics and where it hails from.

So, all plants have two main names, in italics, which are the genus and the species, such as Rosa rugosa, Helleborus niger and Alchemilla mollis.

The genus starts with a capital letter. It represents a group of plants with similar characteristics - all the plants in the genus will share a recent common ancestor and look similar to each other.

There are then sub sections.

A variety is a plant that has a naturally occurring variation from the main species noted using ‘var’ when two plants have cross-fertilised in the wild. For example, Geranium sanguineum var. striatum is a variety of hardy geranium.

A cultivar is a new plant that comes about in cultivation (rather than in the wild), by crossing two related plants. This might be deliberate breeding, or a lucky accident.

Cultivar names are listed in title case, with each letter capitalised, and put in quotation marks.

Whereas the genus, species, var. names are Latin, cultivar names are usually in a modern language. Sometimes the parents’ names are not known, or have been lost, so only the genus and cultivar names are used. For example, Dahlia ‘Doris Day’.

A horticultural bit of detective work Latin names can help you break down the story of any plant including its colour, where it originates from and growth habit. As an example, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Nana Alba’, has narrow leaves (angustifolia) and is compact (‘Nana’) with white flowers (‘Alba’).

Wonderful isn’t it? And well worth knowing.

Diary events from clubs and organisations in

DORSET & HAMPSHIRE Welcome to our May Time off and details of gardening club and association events, shows and meetings over the next few weeks in Dorset and Hampshire. This is a popular free service in Country Gardener and if you would like any events given some publicity and promotion them email us at editorial@countrygardener.co.uk

April 23RD Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society ‘NO DIG GARDENING - HOW TO GET THE SOIL TO WORK FOR YOU’ - BECKY SEARLE Email: tricia@thegardenersblacksmith.co.uk 24TH Beaulieu and District Gardening Club ‘DESIGNING AND PLANTING A SMALL GARDEN’ - ANDY MCINDOE Details on 02380 842362

May 2ND Shaston Gardening Association MONTHLY MEETING www.shastongardening association.weebly.com 6TH Rooted in Friendship Garden Club 2pm-3.30pm Salvation Army hall, 2 New Orchard, Poole BH15 1LY More details 07864 051407 8TH Busy Bees Gardening Club ‘KINGSTON LACY’ Details on 07434 721811 Petersfield Gardening Club MONTHLY MEETING www.petersfieldgardenersclub.com The Romsey Organic Gardeners ‘PERFUME OF PLANTS’ - JOHN BAKER AND JUNE COLLEY Details on 0735 0858300 9TH Blackmore Vale Bonsai Group MONTHLY MEETING Details on 07837 781744 10TH Busy Bees Gardening Club PLANT SALE 10am - 21noon. Outside Library. Details on 07434 721811 Millenium Green, Bridport, DT6 3JP PLANT AND GARDEN SALE From 9.30am West Moors Horticultural Society PLANT SALE 10am. Details on 01202 871536 13TH Frome Selwood Horticultural Society ‘BOUGAINVILLEA THE BRITISH WAY’

- CHARLIE CLARKE Details on 0777 6208531 The Valley Gardening Club MEMBERS DISCOUNT EVENING (6PM - 8PM) Email: valleygardening@gmail.com 17TH Damerham & District Horticultural Society GRAND PLANT SALE Details on 07870 397768 Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society PLANT SALE AND COFFEE MORNING 10am - 12noon.

Email: tricia@thegardenersblacksmith.co.uk 20TH Parkstone Gardening Society ‘BASIC VEGETABLE GARDENING’ - PAUL BRETT 21ST Milford on Sea Gardeners Club

‘HANGING BASKETS AND POTS’ - DEMO BY RAY BROUGHTON Email: milfordgardeners@gmail.com The Valley Gardening Club

‘SUMMER HANGING BASKETS - THE GOLD CLUB Email: valleygardening@gmail.com 24TH Beaulieu and District Gardening Club PLANT SALE Details on 02380 842362 Frome Selwood Horticultural Society ANNUAL PLANT SALE - SELWOOD ACADEMY Details on 0777 6208531 25/26TH Grayshott HIDDEN GARDENS OF GRAYSHOTT More than 35 open gardens. www.hiddengardensofgrayshott.co.uk 28TH Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society ‘THE REVIVAL OF THE BRITISH FLOWER GROWING INDUSTRY’ - CHARLOTTE HEAVISIDES 10am - 12noon. Email: tricia@thegardenersblacksmith.co.uk 29TH Beaulieu and District Gardening Club ‘MEDITERRANEAN GARDENING AT HOME AND ABROAD’ - BEN TURNER Details on 02380 842362 35

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CERTIFIED ORGANIC VEGETABLE PLANTS

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Country Gardener

Stockists of frostproof pots and garden ornaments from Greece and around the world as well as a host of other gifts and bits and pieces Open every day Eastoke Corner, Hayling Island, Hants P011 9LU 02392 637590

PUZZLE TIME

Crossword

Unscramble

WIN £100 IN RHS GIFT TOKENS

Fill in the missing letter to uncover six famous gardeners

1. _ e _ _ _ u _ e / _ e _ _ l _

2. _ _ r _ e _ _ / _ i _ _

Our popular gardening themed crossword is compiled by Saranda which over the past year has become enormously popular with readers. The winning entry to be drawn by us will receive £100 of RHS gift tokens. Completed entries should be sent to Mount House, Halse, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3AD. Closing date Friday 23rd May. The March issue winner was Kelly Morgan from Exmouth.

1

3. _ i _ _ / _ a _ _ _ i _ l _-_ e _ _

2

3

6. _ _ m _ h _ e _ / _ e _ t _ _

The Country Gardener

Quizzing Dozen

Test your gardening knowledge on these moderately tough questions.

1.

The spice, saffron, comes from which flower?

2.

Often called England's greatest gardener, what is Capability Brown's given first name?

7.

A David Austin named rose, Jude the Obscure, appears in a novel written by whom?

8.

Who gardened at Sissinghurst?

9.

What is the name of one of the most poisonous British native, cottage plant perennials?

3.

What is another name for tadpoles?

4.

‘Wilson’s Wonders’ is a kind of which nut tree?

10.

5.

In which European city is the medieval Islamic garden known as Generalife?

Who composed ‘The Flight of the Bumble Bee’?

11.

6.

What item of clothing did Peter Rabbit lose when Mr McGregor chased him in the garden?

Which succulent plant provides the basis for tequila?

12.

Aspirin was originally obtained from the bark of which tree?

Word Search

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

4. _ _ r _ _ / _ h _ _ _ e _ 12

5. _ _ l l _ _ _ / _ e _ t

4

This month's Word Search is based on gardening terms

ACANTHUS ACER AGAPANTHUS ALOE VERA ANEMONE ASTER BEGONIA BERBERIS BUDDLEJA CAMELLIA CHRYSANTHEMUM CLEMATIS COSMOS COTONEASTER CROCUS DAHLIA DELPHINIUM DICENTRA EUCALYPTUS FUCHSIA GERANIUM HEBE HOSTAS HYDRANGEA IRIS JASMINE LOBELIA MAHONIA PHLOX PINKS PRIMULA ROSE SALVIA SEDUM TULIP

Answers

13

15

14

16

17

21

18

22

23

24

27

25

31

35

26

29

32

36

42

33

34

37

38

43

45

46

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ACROSS 1. Seliganella lepidophylla, a plant that can survive without water (4, 2, 7) 8. A young tree (7) 12. A small rorqual whale (5) 13. The national flower of this country is the padauk (7) 14. A palm tree of the genus Iriartea (7) 15. Famous North American waterfalls (7) 16. Scattered or sporadic amounts (5, 3, 5) 17. Lily-like class of marine invertebrates (9) 18. Muhammed Ali (3, 8) 21. Any of several Australian wattle trees (5) 24. A small island (5) 25. Denoting an instrument used to ascertain the size of something (9) 27. Pastoral and arboreal poem by William Shakespeare (5, 3, 9, 4) 30. Any of several Asian trees of the genus Aquilaria (9) 32. A large Asian plant yielding Manila hemp (5) 34. Wild or sweet cherries (5) 35. Adapted a wild plant to a different environment (11) 37. Having male, female ad hermaphrodite flowers on different plants (9) 41. The arrangement of the flowers on a plant (13) 44. Situated on the side towards the axis or stem of a plant (7) 45. One of the divisions of a compound leaf (7) 46. A number two wood in golf (7) 47. _____ chard, a green leafy vegetable (5) 48. To put into mechanical action or motion (7) 49. Galium verum, a herbaceous perennial (5, 8) DOWN 1. Relating to the Romance languages (7) 2. One of two varieties of Indian mangrove tree (7) 3. Culinary plant in the mint family (7) 4. Simple food item often containing raspberries or strawberries (3, 8) 5. Author of James and the Giant Peach (5, 4) 6. Famous Tennyson poem with horticultural opening line (4, 4, 3, 6, 4) 7. Name given to the root of Irises

UNSCRAMBLE: 1. Gertrude Jekyll 2. Margery Fish 3. Vita Sackville-West 4. Percy Thrower 5. William Kent 6. Humphrey Repton QUIZZING DOZEN: 1. Crocus 2. Lancelot 3. Polliwogs 4. Walnut 5. Granada, Spain 6. His blue coat 7. Thomas Hardy 8. Vita Sackville West 9. Aconitum 10. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov 11. Agave 12. Willow/Salix

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germanica and pallida (5) Genus to which soapwort belongs (9) Dry fruits of such plants as the plantain (7) 10. Genus of plant commonly called elecampane (5) 11. A metabolic disease in cows caused by a deficiency in magnesium (5, 8) 19. Like a tree in the genus Ulmus (5) 20. Gerbera daisies are the national flowers of this East African country (7) 21. A genus of thorny ornamental vines belonging to the four o'clock family (13) 22. Lachnanthes caroliana, a North American plant (7) 23. The ancient Greek personification of the East Wind (5) 26. Not yet cultivated (5) 28. Genus of fish commonly known as cod (5) 29. The wood sorrel family (11) 31. Insect of the Meloe genus (3, 6) 33. Females who perform on stage and in film (9) 36. A genus of New Zealand plants sometimes called vegetable sheep (7) 38. The basic frame of a car (7) 39. In French, a grove of olives (7) 40. To reproduce or spread by natural dispersion of the seed (4-3) 42. A large celebratory meal (5) 43. Allium fistulosum or Welsh onion (5) 8.

9.

Answers from previous issue, April 2025: S E S A M E

A F A R A S

H O A A N L A C E

L A O A B E A J O H N T R A D E S C A N T

F A L L O W

D D A P R U B A C F E B L A D D E R S E N N A E M B I T T E R U T A S T E M M I H S I Q U A T S

U

N

U S C N G A U T H E E L O R E F E U I L L

A S N T I C D N E D V

R H A T E C M E L L

L

S

L

C R E N U L A T E R T N U

C

I C E L A N D E P U

P

O C H E T O R T O I S E P L A N T P E D H E U O V C H O R T I C U L T U R E T R E E S H U B S R B S O R C

O I

I

C K S P H

L E G A L A I D C A C T U S D A H L I A A R O U K R I E C O G R H A B D O M A N T I S T S H E A V E N I C G S I L C A E U A B E L E S

T U S C H E

R E D R U M

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TREE SPECIALIST

The answer is called a tree!

Mark Hinsley worries about the impact on both urban and rural trees from over zealous insurance companies bullying tree owners to have trees taken down unnecessarily.

We can burn the midnight oil arguing about why our climate is changing but most rational people accept that it is.

Now, all the predictions are that it will become more extreme, hotter, wetter, drier and windier.

Of course, there is also a scenario where the Gulf Stream/ North Atlantic Drift stops or reverses and we discover what it really means to be further north than any part of the USA other than Alaska.

That will really cause havoc with the bus services!

If the wind is too strong, you need a wind break or your roof may blow off. If the sun is too hot, you need shade or you may die in your bed at night. If the rain is too heavy, you need a sponge or your house may be washed away. If air pollution is too high, you need an air filter or you may choke to death.

Where can we find the technology to perform all these vital tasks to save us from a changing world?

Well, we already have it – it is called a tree.

It has been around for 385 million years – since the Devonian period (crikey! I knew they were a bit behind the times in Devon, but that is ridiculous!). It is the most incredible wind moderating, air cooling, moisture absorbing, air filtering gadget we could possibly wish for.

As part of our daily business we, as an arboricultural consultancy practice, undertake tree inspections for condition/liability. We do this for large country estates, schools, hospitals, industrial estates, multi-occupancy apartment blocks and individual homeowners.

It would be very easy to simply go around condemning every tree as dangerous because it might fall over; that way we would never have a tree which we had previously surveyed cause an accident. However, that is not how we do it and it is not how our industry recommends that such surveys are done.

Instead, with every tree we inspect we ask ourselves the same questions: What is the risk associated with this tree? What is a proportionate response to that risk? On the one hand is the potential for the tree to cause harm or loss and on the other is the cost of any works and the loss associated with the tree no longer being there. To the

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Publisher & Editor: Alan Lewis alan@countrygardener.co.uk Tel: 01823 431767

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list of tree benefits above, we add wildlife conservation, biodiversity, visual amenity and, occasionally, history.

However, if a tree near a building is accused of being involved, even only partially, in causing a few little cracks in a house wall in the summer months, or maybe only in drought years, even without full proof, insurance companies immediately begin threatening and bullying tree owners to have the tree felled. No consideration is given at all for the benefits the tree provides to the homeowner or the surrounding community. If it is seen as a financial risk to the insurance company, it has to go.

Is this a global problem? No. Is this a pan-European problem? No. Only in the UK was the insurance industry stupid enough to extend building insurance cover to include minor seasonal damage that, in most cases, is nothing more than cosmetic. In this country there is a whole industry of surveyors and adjusters and other consultants all taking fees to solve a problem that exists nowhere else.

Developers get a bad press on tree felling, but is anybody looking at the impact on our urban and suburban tree populations due to the ruthless activity of insurance companies?

I doubt it.

Mark Hinsley, of Mark Hinsley Arboricultural Consultants Ltd, offering tree consultancy services. www.treeadvice.info

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Accounts and subscriptions Heather Rose heather@countrygardener.co.uk

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The Country Gardener magazines are distributed FREE at Nurseries, garden centres, National Trust Properties, open gardens, garden machinery specialists, country stores and farm shops in each county. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or made available in any form, without the written permission of the copyright holder and Publisher, application for which should be made to the Publisher. Unsolicited material: do not send or submit your only version of manuscripts and/or photographs/transparencies to us as these cannot be returned to you. While every care is taken to ensure that material submitted is priced accurately and completely, we cannot be responsible or liable for any loss or damage suffered.

Views and/or opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of Country Gardener or the Publisher. Printed by Mortons Print Ltd, Morton Way, Boston Road Industrial Estate, Horncastle, LN9 6JR.

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Country Gardener

Arboricultural Consultants

TREE ADVICE & REPORTING

Courtens Garden Centre and Café A27, Romsey Rd, Whiteparish, SP5 2SD

MARK HINSLEY

A Bee Bonanza

MSc.Res.Man.(Arb), OND (Arb), F.Arbor.A We are a Dorset based company offering a friendly, professional tree consultancy service for all areas of the South.

Saturday May 10th

Meet the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust, a colony of bees and bee hotel maker. Bee & lavender products for sale and honey treats in the café.

(Exhibitors may be subject to change.)

Children’s treasure hunt and activities. Raffle prizes with all proceeds going to The Bumble Bee Conservation Trust.

So buzz along on May 10th to Courtens Garden Centre, Romsey Road (A27), Whiteparish, SP5 2SD Open Wed-Sat 9.30am - 5pm plus Bank Holiday Sundays & BH Mondays.

WE SPECIALISE IN: ■ Tree Condition Advice and Surveys ■ Tree Liability Assessments and Management Plans ■ Tree Preservation Order Advice ■ Planning Applications - Advice and Reports (to BS5837 standards)

ALL ENQUIRIES WELCOME

01202 876177 www.treeadvice.info enquiries@treeadvice.info

Tel: 01794 884489 (Wed-Sat); courtensgardenpartners@yahoo.com www.courtensgardencentre.co.uk

www.courtensgardencentre.co.uk

07717 221798

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