Gardener’s Corner: July 2024

Whatever the weather, we have planted the gardens to be as colourful and interesting as possible throughout July. The hot border is a good example with Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (perhaps not so suitable for the Bishops’ gardens!) which has rich and bright orange flowers contrasting with the yellow Achillea ‘Cloth of Gold’ and the blue globe thistle. Dahlias come into their own, and the bright red ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ and the orange/ochre ‘David Howard’ are incredibly reliable. The Bishop’s Dahlia collection will also be bursting with colour.

I expect our new exotic border to be a riot of bright colours and interest, including bright blue Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’, bright orange Dahlia ‘Happy Halloween’, Calendula, Heuchera ‘Marmalade’, and banana palms.

There is lots of interest elsewhere from herbaceous plantings and roses, but also from many shrubs such as the exotic and picturesque plantings around the tower. The loquats are getting very large now and the prehistoric-looking Tetrapanax is huge. The Himalayan ginger lilies, like ‘Tara’, are really exotic and special and worth enjoying this month.

Jo and our team of Community Garden Volunteers will be very busy harvesting vegetables and flowers, much of which will find its way to the shop and café. You cannot beat fresh tomatoes and basil eaten together straight from the greenhouse—or perhaps you can, with our fresh potatoes served with mint and butter!?

James Cross, Head Gardener

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