A Month of Contrasts - July 2019

I write on 1st August - Yorkshire Day - and it seems quite appropriate to be doing so. July saw the very best and the worst of the Yorkshire weather; unfortunately the recent deluges have badly affected local areas. But overall, the mix of weather has been conducive to a very healthy garden.

The highlight of the month was Norton Conyers' inclusion in Country Life magazine - the article providing a detailed insight into the history of the house, gardens and estate, and how the garden continues to evolve. The author of the article, Non Morris describes:

'there has been an incredible and passionate battle to restore and preserve the house. It's [Sir James and Lady Halina]'s tenacity, generosity and unflagging sense of duty in their role as guardians of such a special place that pervades every aspect of Norton Conyers today.'

A quote from Lady Graham included in the article describes Head Gardener Giles' work:

'I think Giles has got the eye of an artist. His colours are very subtle.'

Perhaps the ultimate example of the clever planting in the garden is the main border, which is currently abundant with shades that combine to create a visually sensual experience. Unlike the artist, Giles has only his memory and knowledge to draw upon when he instructs the team to go about their work. It is remarkable to think of the 'blank canvas' that is worked with in the winter months - how decisions made during this period have such a strong influence on the appearance and overall feel of the garden months later.

*

Last year, we endured a lengthy heatwave, which made for a difficult growing season; twelve months on, and the colour around the garden is more vibrant, with a lush, verdant backdrop.

Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)

A favourite plant of mine is the Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus), which emerged in bright shades of pink, red and magenta. In isolation, each is a tiny firework, but with the countless flowers in this section of the cut-flower border, the result is a sea of colour.

Giles and I continued our work by the lakeside during the first weeks of July. We continued our assault of the Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). Having cleared as much as we can at this stage, we will return later in the year to remove any new growth, and so prevent the exploding seed heads from spreading this invasive species.

Bright green foliage is now abundant in the woods, and the lake itself is filled with plant life; a stark contrast to the scene in January of this year.

January 2019

July 2019

*

The gardens have been a hive of insect activity - particularly towards the end of July - with butterflies and bees paying particular attention to the lavender borders. 

Blue Thistle (Eryngium planum)

Anthirrhinum

Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)

Poppy (Papaveroideae)

Lavender (Lavendula)

Dahlias

A favourite plant of mine during this season is the Acanthus or Bear's Breeches. With its towering structure, and outstretched tongue-like leaves, the spiky plant has great visual and structural appeal.

Bear's Breeches (Acanthus)

A particular highlight of the gardening year for me is the ripening of fruit. Raspberries, whitecurrants and redcurrants were among the ripening berries in July, with blueberries and apples well on the way.

But as this new life emerged, so the process of removing exhausted plants from the vegetable garden began. Cauliflowers had been a great success, and the remains of the plants needed digging up. Remaining peas and mange tout were harvested, before removing the plants. We had limited success with the strawberry plants this year due to squirrels and other four-legged invaders. Some of the plants were at the end of their three-year 'cycle', so 'runners' were removed to produce news plants, before the old plants were discarded.

However, many of the vegetables are only just maturing, so the harvest season will continue for a number of weeks yet. In order to maintain the environment, work weeding and digging over the soil continued throughout the month. 

*

And so, despite a wet weather forecast for the next few days, the sun is at least trying to break through on Yorkshire Day. Plum, Gile's dog will most likely be making the most of the dry weather!

In addition to usual opening times on Mondays and Thursday, the gardens are now open every Sunday until 8th September. For further details about the house opening, visit http://www.nortonconyers.org.uk/opening.html

Clearing Up - Norton Conyers, 15th March 2018

Another damp day; Spring wasn’t here yet. But the gardener is well prepared - waterproofs and boots were adorned today. We looked a colourful bunch as we left the Orangery this morning and headed to the Dumper shed. And to be honest it was a bit of a dump! It had been left relatively unused at the end of last season, so there was reason for the mess. There's no problem things being left a little untidy, as there are always keener priorities to attend to. So, bearing in mind the poor weather, this was the perfect day for such a job. 

It was a job that required thought as to where to start. There was much to tackle, but with a team of five, progress was soon seen. Giles and I moved wood and logs; the ladies started moving tree protectors to an adjoining building; Plum found a dead pigeon.

There were many tree protectors - maybe a hundred. As I joined the efforts to move them, I uncovered a beautiful Peacock butterfly in hibernation. Its colours were a reminder that nature only sleeps - it does not disappear.

The Dumper shed was full of old unused gardening bits and pieces. Giles is a very resourceful man; he won't throw anything away that might come in useful. However, he's not a hoarder either - everything he does is carefully considered and planned. For example, underneath is a barrel - formerly containing Mango Slices (best before 2000!) from Mumbai in India. It's something that's of value to the gardener - however often it might come into use.

As I cleared some wooden poles from a corner and relocated them, I discovered perhaps fifty ladybirds huddling together - like the butterfly, they had found the perfect, protected spot to spend the winter months. And we had found the perfect spot to spend a rainy day - the work was fulfilling and everyone was in a jovial mood; as we'd entered the Dumper Shed, Giles asked me to switch the light on. There wasn't a light. I'm getting used to this gentle ribbing.

As the ladies finished their clearing work, I stayed and swept the straw covered floor. After Plum found the pigeon, I wondered what else might be discovered amongst this mass of dried grass. I was reminded of an old episode of Midsomer Murders where the victim is stabbed by a pitchfork and covered up in the straw. Thankfully there would be no such discoveries today..

 Following our break, we headed to the stables. Having burned the majority of the rubbish the previous week, the cleanup job now began in earnest. Sweeping the walls and windows of cobwebs; old plaster and paint dust from shelves and window bottoms; the floor from oily dirt. This was a considerable undertaking. The stables had been left in a time-warp - used only as a joiners yard in recent days. It had been built in the 1700s and must have fallen out of use as a stables some 70 or 80 years previously.

I know this because there were old packets on the floor - an old decaying Osram bulb jacket; metal springs; an old car headlamp cover; small wooden signs; a woodwormed groomer's brush. The bench was still solid enough to stand on to do my work, but had seen considerable wear and tear over the years. Built to last. Having lifted it, I uncovered a small plank of wood. It was attached to the stone floor with tar. I lifted it - the perfect shiny black uncovered the still fresh scent of pitch.

Our indoor clearing work was over. We retired to lunch.

As we returned, Giles began cutting back the trees which hung over the road leading up to the stables. Luminous lichen layered long limbs. We dragged the branches over the front of the house; I felt the strain, as an Ox would bearing its Yoke.

Giles, Alyson and I then left the borders of the walls and began cutting back the branches overhanging the Wath road. The Norton Conyers estate covers an area of 1500 acres - another substantial job!

Giles used his extended saw on the branches; Alyson and I hauled the wood over the wall for Beth and Bex to drag to habitat piles. The trees were packed together to begin with; they soon spread out, and there was too much work for three people.

Giles handed me a luminous green jacket, and asked me to look out for traffic; he walked round the other side of the wall and began cutting back from the house side. Lorries and vans seldom made an appearance, but safety was paramount for all concerned.

We completed this work, and next it was back to clear up. However, I got a little sidetracked. The litter by the side of the road was shocking. It upset me that people would dispose of things in this manner. I later spoke to Lady Graham - she told me about how she had challenged a lady who had dropped a takeaway box on the London Underground "I think you've dropped something" she said. The reply verged on abuse - almost physical "I'm providing someone with a job!!". 

I picked up the vast quantities of litter: crisp packets; pair of shoes; glass bottles; a fire extinguisher(!). Lady Graham said that when Sir James and she passed by on their bicycles, they would pick up rubbish - they had only done this the other day. I am coming to realise that the Grahams and I share similar values.

It was a satisfying job I suppose, but one I hoped that I wouldn't have to repeat any time soon!

A satisfying day of clearing had ended - the estate had had a 'Spring Clean' and was sprucing up for its Easter visitors.