The Giants of the Gardens

 

In our Cedar meadow, where the giraffes are now, we have four fine specimen conifers. Despite their size I think they were only planted in the nineteenth century.

Sequoiadendron giganteum, better known as The Giant Sequoia or Wellingtonia arrived in Britain no earlier than 1847 and the Cedars possibly replaced some much larger specimens. In the 1880's the winters here were so severe that the ancient trees were killed outright. I think the plants we see today are the successors.



only visible with a magnifying glass the
tips on these needles are translucent.



It has taken me sometime to identify the Cedars correctly as they are closely related to the better known Cedar of Lebanon. Thanks to Hugh Johnson's book 'Trees' I finally got out there with a magnifying glass to spot the only sure difference: A tiny translucent tip on the end of the needles which requires very close inspection. Ours have this and therefore are definitely Atlas Cedars (C.atlantica).

We have two fine specimens of Sequoiadendron giganteum, Wellingtonia or Giant Sequoia but, up until now, no specimens of the even taller Sequoia sempervirens or Dawn Redwood. So I started at the bottom and grew this baby (below) from seed. We have two and they are now around 7' tall. Draped in ghostly fleece all last winter they should now be strong enough to go it alone. You can see them near the carpark.

Sequoia sempervirens

I'm not alone in wanting to grow these magnificent trees from seed and this site http://www.redwoodworld.co.uk/talltales.htm provides some lovely anecdotal stories from around the world.



The Giraffes arrive...oh, and a couple of gratuitous zinnia pics.

In May I bumped into these two at the Chelsea flower show. For some time I had been looking for a sculpture that would fill the space at the end of the long terrace without costing a five figure sum. Being on the plebeian side of art appreciation, cones and helixes didn't speak to me but these guys did. They arrived today and look perfectly at home looking dreamily over the park. I fear that, like the teas, they may become a bigger draw to the gardens than our carefully crafted planting schemes. Since I am mad about them already that suits me fine .

At 13' tall this fellow could do with a name, any suggestions?



Zinnia prob. 'Aztec Sunset'
(it's a long time since the spring sowing)



Zinnia profusion 'Coral Pink '



Autumn Country Market

This years' Autumn Country Market on September 11th  (11.00 -4.00 pm) looks to be our best yet. With 30 stallholders throughout two courtyards, the newly renovated coach house and for the first time, the old stable block, it promises to be a great day out.

The decks have been cleared for action and we look forward to welcoming local craftsmen and women and local food producers. Other stallholders include a retro or vintage section including pretty decorative items and cup cakes.

Coach House cleared for action!

The beautiful International harpist Eleanor Turner and her students will be playing for charity and there is face painting for little ones.



Eleanor Turner



Laetitia Maklouf, garden author and broadcaster will be joining us for our Question and Answer Gardening Session and  signing her book 'The Virgin Gardener' so if you are new to gardening she is the one to talk to.
Lucy will be talking vegetables and cut flowers and Ursula Cholmeley will be answering your other queries.

Of course, the tearoom will be open offering light lunches and teas.

We are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather but with 12 acres of gardens to explore including the Yew tunnel to shelter under and almost all the stall holders under cover in the event of the odd drop of rain, we hope you will come and see us this Sunday.