June started with very average weather, but by the 20th it had changed and, rather like May, we experienced an extraordinary spell of record-breaking heat. The heat this June has been tropical compared to last year, with a record temperature of 36.7°C recorded in Somerset on the 25th and a minimum temperature of 24°C that night. The humidity was a real contrast to May’s heatwave. It will be interesting to see what July brings, but I wouldn’t be surprised if, around the middle of July, we experience another heatwave that breaks the current record set in 2022.

Despite the heat, the gardens look lush, verdant and almost tropical. The plants are thriving and growing vigorously, which is hardly surprising given the six inches of rain we’ve received. We had an incredible 1.5 inches of rain in just 30 minutes during the storm on the 22nd. Thankfully, the gardens escaped with little damage other than to some of the paths. The moat and Well Pools filled within two hours, but we had carefully adjusted the sluice gates in anticipation.

The gardens will look especially colourful and healthy this month. The Hot Border is overflowing with bright, vibrant plants such as orange-yellow day lilies, bright red Crocosmia and golden Achillea. Many of the roses will flower again and be even more colourful thanks to the combination of heat and rain, particularly the English shrub rose ‘Young Lycidus’, with its deep pink, magenta and red blooms that gradually fade to lighter shades. It flowers profusely and has a delicious fragrance.

The Wells Border also looks incredible and is brimming with ‘Golden Chimes’ day lilies, the ever-reliable Astrantia major, Hylotelephiums (sedums), and many roses, including the excellent yellow ‘Charles Darwin’. However, it is probably the Community Garden, which Jo looks after alongside many of our amazing volunteers, that has responded best to the tropical weather. The tomatoes in the greenhouse have ripened exceptionally early and will be sold and used in the café. Lettuce, potatoes, runner beans, sweetcorn and many other crops will also provide plenty of delicious produce. Meanwhile, the cut flowers are growing almost too quickly to pick, and the sweet peas have never been so productive. It’s a real bumper crop in every sense!

James Cross, Head Gardener

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