What to look out for  in the garden on your visit:

By Gilbury Bridge take time to admire the two wonderful specimens of Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’

Along the Main Path to the House take a look at the Iris Garden with some very interesting informal plantings of Irises. This is also a very good wildlife area, especially for dragon and damsel flies.

It’s always worth taking a look at the spectacular and amazing Wiggly tree (Platanus orientalis) with its huge trunk and sprawling branches. Planted circa 1730.

Close to Top Pond are a number of very good flowering “Dogwoods” especially Cornus kousa ‘Venus’ with pure white flowers, Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’ with pinkish flowers and Cornus kousa ‘Kenwyn Clapp’ with starry cream flowers.  Several Rhododendrons are of interest in this area especially Rh ‘Hermes’ with yellow and orange flowers, Rh. ‘Damozel’ with pink flowers and Rh. ‘Kilimanjaro’ a deep red with dark blotches.

 Don’t miss the views up or down the ravine from the Japanese Bridge and the Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’ on the pergola. The edge of the  deciduous Azalea beds are planted  with Asiatic Primula’s including Primula beesianum and Primula pulverulenta at the middle and lower ponds.

The Herbaceous Border is waking up after the winter with lots of interesting, Peonies, Allium’s, Hesperis, Iris’s, Euphorbia’s and the Chinese Paperbark maple (Acer griseum).

In Yard Wood the Azalea Drive still has some very interesting Azaleas in flower and down by Jubilee Pond Iris sibirica is in full flower. The grass areas around Jubilee are left long to encourage the native common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii).

The American Garden and Domesday Yew areas always have plants of interest especially Kalmia latifolia the Calico bush from the USA.

John Anderson, 
Head Gardener.