Whilst we have been closed over the winter months, the gardening team has been working hard planting thousands (and we mean thousands) of bulbs. There are always plenty of gardening jobs to do in the winter.
We’ve worked our way along the river bank with a giant drill and bucket of bulbs in hand, and planted 7500 daffodils.
We also planted new daffodils on the bank by the long border and around some of our ancient trees on the lawn. They are starting to show now, with plenty of heads, so hopefully, there will be some to see on the first few weekends in April as we open for the new season.
We also planted a new selection of colourful daffodils, tulips and muscari in our large terracotta pots around the house and new wooden tubs for the courtyard.
Spring is a lovely time of year here and all the first flowers are making themselves known! Crocus and Scilla on the driveway are starting to bloom; a real showstopper when in full show!
Tips for planting tulip bulbs
Tulip bulbs are particularly tasty to uninvited furry guests. We dust ours with chilli powder when planting (remember to be windward, this avoids chilli powder being blown towards you!)
Tulip bulbs are also annual bulbs which means a new bulb grows in the place of the previous year, so to help them along, it is a good idea to feed them once the flower is over. After a couple of years, you may want to buy new bulbs depending on the quality of the show.
What we’re looking forward to in 2022
Cat – There are so many brilliant plants and parts of the garden, it is hard to choose! I would say… In late spring when the Iris pallida is in bloom by the Herb Garden. They are a variety which is light lilac in colour and smells divine! Like blueberries and bubblegum. I can’t walk past without smelling one!
Lesley – I look forward to the peonie walk in the walled garden every year!
Kevin – The 1st flush of vibrant green leaves of Spring, along with the pear and apple blossom. Also looking forward to the new flowers of the roses planted in the new oriental garden.
We look forward to seeing you all very soon!
Cat, Undergardener
@cat.kin_
