Gardener’s Corner: December 2024

Gardener’s Corner: December 2024

December is another very physical month in the garden. While we are always busy, there is no doubt that the hardest work happens in the autumn and winter. This is probably a good thing, as it helps keep us warm on colder days.

When the weather allows, we will be cutting and clearing the moat banks in readiness for the snowdrops, which will start appearing soon after Christmas. We will also finish cutting any remaining yew hedges and continue collecting leaves. The arboretum is a big task and takes two or three days to clear. In recent years, the lack of cold weather has made this harder, as the leaves fall more slowly.

We will also begin clearing and tidying the first borders, starting with the inner gardens. Some borders are left until later in winter for their structural effect. The winter borders truly come into their own in December, particularly with the bright reds, yellows, and greens of the dogwoods, the witch hazels, and the beautiful perfume of the Chimonanthus (wintersweet). I am especially looking forward to seeing the new winter border behind the Wells Border, where the Cornus ‘Midwinter Fire’ should live up to its name with the low winter sun shining on it.

December also offers a unique opportunity to see the gardens lit up at night for the Christmas Garden Illuminations. In November, we made an extra effort to cut all the hedges for maximum effect!

The garden team wishes you all a Merry Christmas.

James Cross, Head Gardener

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