Summer's End - August 2019

Summer's End

As July proved to be a month of contrasts, so the unpredictable weather continued throughout August. Rain aplenty and a couple of miniature heatwaves!
The end of summer always seems to roll around quite unexpectedly as we're left to slowly mourn the loss of the warmer weather and vibrant colours of the garden.

On the south side of the stableyard, there is a passage which leads towards the fields beyond. In years gone by, people could walk through the gate and into this land. However, escaping livestock rendered the need for a wire fence to be erected around the perimeter - blocking the gateway in the process. A new gate was installed last year to replace the existing perished one, but the entrance was still blocked by the wire.

Only now has there been a suitable opportunity to remedy this. Giles set me to work digging four (deep!) holes in which to install huge wooden poles. Two of these would be installed next to the wall, and the others adjacent to provide a passage between the wire fence and the gate. The holes were dug and the following week, the poles installed - ready for the fencing to be altered.

Before...

After

The earth was tough to break through and I was glad of the offer of help from Alan who helped me to finish off the holes to Giles' satisfaction.

Elsewhere, the grass was being cut - in and around the garden - and the meadow in front of the house was having its annual trim - a big job! Whereas last year, the dry weather had made this job much easier, this years' wetter weather made the grass harder to cut and more effort was required to rake it too.

I joined the effort in the afternoon, raking the damp grass into piles and taking it away to the woods in the dumper truck.

Although they are fading now, many of the garden's most vibrant summer hues were seen in August, with Antirrhinums and Agapanthus adding colour and form. 

Agapanthus

Antirrhinum

The main border overflowed with plant life - more subtle tones now on display. 'Bears Breeches' (Acanthus) are a particular favourite of mine at this time of year - with its towering structure in purples and greens - its leaves smooth and spiky.

Acanthus can be seen in the middle of each border

Fruit and vegetables continued to be harvested throughout August, with a particularly varied basket of goods being put together to take to the house.

But as the summer raspberries and loganberries bore their last fruit, it was time to cut back dying plants before tying in new growth. It is a satisfying (but prickly) job!

And as August progressed, the focus shifted towards cutting back, with bushes being pruned and annuals being uplifted.

As the cooler months progress, so there will be more opportunities to develop the garden further for next season. In September, we all look forward to Apple picking and juicing! 

Spring Blooms and NGS Opening - May 2019

May promised to be a busy month in the gardens at Norton Conyers. With 2019's first opening of the House and Gardens,  a wedding and the NGS (National Garden Scheme)  opening just around the corner, the only short-cuts being taken would be when cutting the grass!

It was also the month in which some of the garden's most popular flowers bloomed.

But on my first day in the gardens in May, it was the simple emergence of fresh growth on the White Willow (Saxis alba) which piqued my interest. The willow was pollarded in March, and the new growth will reach remarkable heights.

Saxis alba (White Willow)

Before pollarding, March 2019

But the real excitement of the month was seen in the unfurling of Iris flowers. It is known that irises are best two years after splitting, and 2019 is that year! As each bud began to fill out, so its shade gradually transformed to reveal the flower's eventual colour.

The yellow irises were the first to bloom - petals reaching out as though stretching from a slumber. Their true form gradually revealed itself, with intricate delicacy. However, it wasn't until mid-May that the border truly began to truly show off its colours. 

5th May

13th May

13th May

20th May

30th May

30th May

Iris border, 9th May 2019

Iris border, 3rd June 2019

The timing of the NGS Opening on the 2nd of June was perfect to allow visitors to see the Iris border in their absolute prime.

So, the Irises somewhat stole the show in May, but many other glorious flowers made their presence felt.

The Wisteria above the apple store door sprung to life in its lilac radiance - emitting its sweet, intoxicating scent.

Wisteria

Surrounding the South entrance to the Orangery is the glorious Rosa banksiae lutea - its subtle beauty was revealed with its gentle golden hue.

Rosa banksiae lutea

Outside of the gardens, a carpet of bluebells provided Spring enchantment - stretching over acres of verdant woodland. 

Bluebells

Walking through the woods, I came again to the lake, which had transformed almost beyond recognition since last seeing it in January.

Work for me this month mainly consisted of grass cutting and road repairs - both time-consuming jobs!

NGS Open Day, June 2nd 2019

And so one of the main highlights of the year at Norton Conyers arrived. With the new car park full for much of the day, plant sales and afternoon tea proved very popular.

In contrast with last year's NGS Opening (which fell on 3rd June), tea was served in the stable-yard, and the peonies were not yet in flower.  

With mixed weather reports, the rain thankfully held off, allowing visitors to explore and enjoy the Spring beauty of the gardens. 

The year is now in full flow and we look forward with anticipation to the warming summer.

Tea in the stable yard

Plants for sale

A Year at Norton Conyers - February 2019

And so, this month marked a year working at Norton Conyers for me. I feel very privileged to have the chance to work in this glorious, historic estate - helping to build on the work of previous generations.

Having started this blog on my first day working in the gardens on 19th February 2018,  now is a good opportunity to look back and reflect at how the gardens have evolved in that time, and also how differently the garden grows from year to year.

There was little sense of Spring in the air on my first day last year - in fact, it rained for the entire day! And towards the end of February 2018, the infamous 'Beast from the East' hit, bringing much of the country to a standstill.

This year, it seems we had the worst of the winter cold at the end of January. And with temperatures reaching 18C in parts of the country during February, the weather continues to keep all of us on our toes.

And with warmer temperatures bringing trees into bud, and signs of life beginning to emerge from their winter dormancy, there was certainly the sense that 'Spring sprung' in February this year.

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Medlar (Mespilus germanica) in bud

The dumper truck was in full use for the duration of this month. It is a well-used asset to the estate and owes nothing after nearly 60 years of service! I used it to transport tonnes of freshly-cut logs from the woods to be seasoned. It also had the purpose of collecting waste metal from around the estate to be recycled.

Whereas usually habitat piles would be built with waste garden material, the volume produced through cutting back shrubs, ivy and brambles meant some of it would have to be burned. We rarely burn material at Norton Conyers, but sometimes it is a necessity. As plant material was cut back between the boundary of the woodland and the car park, and along the south wall of the gardens, I loaded the dumper truck and transported the material to the old tennis courts, where a bonfire was started.

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Whereas the Snowdrops (Galanthus) had only recently emerged this time last year, their prime had already been enjoyed by the beginning of February 2019. Throughout the month, they would become tired and tinged with brown. But as Snowdrops herald the beginning of Spring, so this meant the gardens would quickly begin to transform with fresh life.

Rhubarb (Rheum) was relocated (and some removed) in bud on 26th February last year; a year to the day, and - in a show of the early onset of Spring - some had already sprouted. 

Rhubarb (Rheum)

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The mist was thick on the morning of the 25th February; after a glorious few weeks of weather, it was a reminder that we were still in February, and winter weather would still make an appearance.

On this morning, I was set the task of digging out the Chrystanthemums within the willow-bordered garden. All withered and in a monotone dull brown, they offered a stark contrast to the varied pastel shades that were enjoyed over the summer. Again - a reminder of the passing of the seasons, and the stark contrasts in colour, texture and light offered in the gardens throughout the year.

Chrysanthemums, Feb 2019

Chrysanthemums, July 2018

Next, it was to the vegetable garden. Bex had strimmed the Manure Grass which had been sown towards the end of 2018. Alan, Bex, Margaret and I turned over the Manure Grass with spades. It is sown as a fast-growing grass, which, when turned back into the earth, breaks down to enrich the earth - it is a natural fertiliser, which also discourages the growth of weeds.

After our morning break, the sun suddenly began to break through the clouds and mist, and the temperature soon began to rise; jackets and jumpers were promptly removed.

And as some of the remaining vegetables were removed from the patch in the afternoon, these milestones in the seasons remind us to look forward to the new growth which will appear over the coming weeks and months.

February ended in glorious sunshine, and as winter dissolves, the cycle of life begins again.

Christmas at Norton Conyers

Festive Shandy

And so the end of the year approached. Days were bookended by darkness, and available working hours shortened.

Frost was regularly seen on the grass in the mornings, and sharp, crisp and cleansing air was refreshing - or biting - depending on the number of layers worn. Damp earth was a constant feature.

But echoes of summer were still on display - the season's growth provided plenty of work over the subsequent weeks.

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Mid November 

Weeds and plant growth in the round garden were cleared, before turning over the earth and mulching. Giles handed round a fallen 'bletted' Medlar fruit - it was much like a fig in both taste and texture. Bletted fruits are 'overripe' and are in the early stages of decay - the starches have converted to sugar. Although medlars are not commonly found nowadays, they were widely cultivated in medieval times - they were popular because they can be stored for a long time after picking - useful at a time when food was very difficult to preserve. Medlars can only be eaten raw when bletted. However, the ripe fruits were picked for making jelly, which is available to purchase in the gardens. 

Medlar Trees

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A greyscale colour scheme loomed over a cold Norton Conyers the next working day. Work in the round garden was to continue, with shrubs to be pruned. The Elder (sambucae) in demanded particular time and attention. Saws and loppers were used to maintain the shrub's shape and structure - sidewards growth was cut, leaving taller, vertical growth.

Sambucae (Elder)

The dumper truck was used to transfer the mass of branches to the woods, and it was employed for the rest of the day tidying the south border.

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I wandered towards 'The Keepers Cottage' before work started in late November. Having travelled in the dark, a clear, atmospheric morning quickly revealed itself as I walked - salmon-tinted clouds and an almost egg-shaped moon still suspended in the sky. A golden streak of light started to expand over the fields. And - although cold, the bright, dry weather provided a pleasant working environment for the rest of the day.

Towards The Keepers Cottage

We worked on clearing the garden's main border - a significant undertaking, with masses of growth removed. However, with nearly a full quota of gardeners and volunteers on hand, this work was completed quickly.

Clearing the borders

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The orangery borders were cleared, and Rosa Floribunda Iceberg (a beautiful white rose) were pruned on the last working day in November. Drizzle was a constant feature, but a brief spell of storm-like weather has us sheltering for cover in the orangery. 

Heavy rain briefly stops play

Having cleared the border, I noticed that the bottom of the Vine House wall featured arches. Giles explained that these were to allow the strong, woody vine roots to grow without damaging the wall.

Arches in the vine wall

The weather improved, and a robin followed us around the garden. It appeared suddenly and boldly - often within arms reach - and seemed to study our work.

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Clearing borders would go on for another two days. It neatened the garden - putting it to bed for the year.  The compost bays were once again full of organic matter.

The cleared main border 

Contrasting weather on 3rd December

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Into mid-December now, and Giles wanted three rows of gooseberry plants to be removed. They were to be replaced with Jostaberry (Ribes x nidigrolaria) (a gooseberry / blackcurrant hybrid) and Worcesterberry (Ribes divaricatum) plants. "They are spikier plants and have smaller fruits!". Giles said - knowing full well that he wouldn't be the person picking or pruning them! "The fruits are sweeter and we want to promote as many different varieties as we can." 

The existing gooseberry plants were removed quickly and disposed of in the woods. Holes were dug for the new plants and mulch added. 

After lunch, Plum and Shandy watched on from a sunny spot as we went to the round garden to replace tired roses Rosa 'Buff Beauty' - a beautiful creamy orange rose. Flowering had been in decline for the last few seasons, and the scent - or lack of - was disappointing. 

Dogs enjoying the winter sunshine

The roses were unearthed and 18" x 18" holes dug - surrounding plants were temporarily removed in the process. This earth was moved to the vegetable garden. A solution of one part Jeyes fluid to four parts water was poured into the holes. Both of these steps reduced the risk of any disease from the previous plants being passed on to the new roses. A layer of mulch was then added before the new young replacements planted.

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Another day, and a walk through the woods and to the lake beckoned. Trees were bare and the view over the lake was clear - this was in stark contrast to the green and leafy surrounds in July which completely obscured the view.

An unobscured view across the lake

Today I was struck by the beauty and surprise within nature - even in decay. I had watched the stunning Physalis alkekengi - more commonly known as the Chinese Lantern - grow, develop into its perfect orange lantern shape and then begin to decay - losing colour before the fragile papery covering started to break down. But I hadn't been close enough to see the beautiful fruit within, which now revealed itself.

Physalis alkekengi

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It was time to prune the roses on the north wall and on the wall outside the car park - Rosa 'Madame Alfred Carriere'. During this process, it was important to consider the future shape of the plant before cutting branches. 'Useful' branches were tied in. Plum and Shandy (who was in full festive attire) watched on. 

Shandy cleaning Plum. Plum watching Emma at work

A previous gardeners' mark atop the garden walls 'Ernie 1989'

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20th December - our last day in the gardens of 2018. And a bit of festive fun for us all - wreath making. Willow was gathered and four stems weaved into a circle before cuttings from the garden were added - eucalyptus, holly, rosehips, fir cones, rosemary, bay leaves... and our wreaths were made! 

Weaving willow

 

During this time, Giles had cut down a tiring apple tree Malus 'Beauty of Bath'. Alan and I helped load the wood into the dumper truck. A new apple tree Malus 'Egremont Russet' was later planted.

And after lunch, the Christmas party at David's studio in the courtyard. Savoury nibbles (Emma's goats cheese and fig tarts proved popular), homemade cakes (Mrs G's plum cake and Derek's wife's tea loaf were personal favourites), wine and beer were served and a suitably festive, warm atmosphere enjoyed by all. Sir James was here but it was a shame that Lady Halina wasn't able to join us due to being a little under the weather. 

Gardeners, builders, art students and Sir James!

A cosy spot for two tired dog

A charcoal drawing of 'Head Gardener' Shandy

As the party-goers started to leave, the year came to a close. The garden was neatly stripped back. But signs of life were beginning to emerge. 

And with new trees and shrubs planted, the new year brings with it an even greater sense of expectation and excitement.