Gardener’s Corner: August 2024

July started very cool and damp but ended very hot and sunny. As a result, the gardens have looked particularly full and colourful this summer. August will be a bumper month this year throughout the gardens. The borders that are planted to contrast the foliage will be particularly prominent. The south lawn border, with its conifers, oak-leaved Hydrangeas, wedding cake tree (Cornus controversa), and Clereodendron with its highly scented white flowers followed by shiny purple berries, is especially noteworthy. The tower border also looks good and is probably the best border for all-year exotic interest. This month, the ginger lilies (Hedychium ‘Tara’) will flower.

 

The majority of our herbaceous borders are a riot of colour, from the bright reds, blues, yellows, and oranges of the hot border to the contemporary Jocelin border, full of blue Agapanthus, Geranium ‘Rozanne’, silver Artemesia, and Rosa ‘Darcey Bussell’. The new exotic border by the back gate has exploded into life, particularly the bright orange Calendula, banana palms, and Cannas. In the Wells border (pictured), late summer interest is appearing, and the structures that will provide interest well into winter are evident. The beautiful Hoheria trees are covered in white blossom and are complemented by the giant Macleaya ‘Pink Flamingo’ and Lythrum ‘Dropmore Purple’ (Loosestrife). In the colour garden, we tried something totally different (pictured), which Colin suggested, and the wildflower seed mix looks incredible—a complete contrast to the annual blocks of colour. In the Community Garden, Jo and our volunteers are busy harvesting vegetables, cutting flowers, and watering! Much of this produce finds its way for sale next to the shop.

 

Please feel free to ask any garden-related questions if you see us in the gardens.