Harvest - September 2019

I'm writing in mid-October. The majority of the produce of the garden has been harvested, and apples are being juiced. Pumpkins are on the shelves in the apple stores, onions hanging on string, chillis stored in baskets.

But Autumn always starts for me with the arrival of Cyclamen Hederifolium outside the gardens - the pale magenta flowers reaching out of the earth. We first catch a glimpse of them towards the end of summer. Not only do they herald the beginning of a new season, they are also a promise of colour and beauty all year round.

Cyclamen Hederifolium

Fencing

Newly-installed Gate

Early September, and with the gate now installed outside the stableyard, fencing was to be installed in the car park. The former 'Pony Paddock' sits next to a sheep field. By installing the new fencing,  sheep would be able to graze the land to the side of the car parking area and so minimise the necessary maintenance of this area.

Many of the support poles had already been installed during the previous week, but Giles had me digging a large hole for one of the end posts.

Fencing Installation

Juicing

In my absence, apple juicing began in September, and carried on into October. Using traditional equipment and pressing methods, the apple juice produced combines many of the garden's different varieties, including Discovery and Beauty of Bath.

The Colours of Autumn

Autumn is usually associated with dull browns and greens. Although the palette of colours is more limited at this time of year, the fruits of harvest still offer great vibrancy and interest - pale green apples dappled with red; glowing tomatoes; shining purple and brown paper bag onion skins.

Squash 'Crown Prince'

'Gardeners Delight' Tomatoes

The Dahlias also continued to provide a stunning colour contrast well into October.

Dahlia 'Sean C'

A Scent of Whisky

In mid-October, I was tasked with driving the dumper truck to Keepers Cottage. There, I shovelled a heap of bark (some trees had recently been felled), before transporting it to the berry garden. The wood chippings were shovelled around the base of the raspberry plants. This will improve drainage and deter weeds. Steam rose as the moist bark was uncoverred, and a gentle scent - a little like whisky filled the air.

With the clocks about to go back, there will be some cold, wet days ahead in the gardens. But with the change in the seasons comes new interest and activities.

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! 

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.

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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

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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. 

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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

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