Jo's News and Views No 4 April 2026

Hello Everyone 

Well, I'm sure I asked for rain, even a shower would have been welcome but no, continuous sunshine with some ridiculously high temperatures for April. I'm sure the garden will suffer but for now it is a glorious feast for the eyes. 

In the Arboretum the bluebells, allbeit Spanish and English, have taken over from the crocuses and daffodils, photo 1. Also on the drive was this large area of Dornicum orientale 'Leonardo', photo 2. A large yellow daisy like flower that blooms for ages.

On the Front Lawn the gardeners were working to improve the grass here, photo 3. An important job at this time of year. In the bed behind the Camellias is the Malus 'Bowles's Hybrid', photo 4. This tree was raised from seeds, that came from Kazakhstan, by Mr Bowles and produces red flesh apples. 

At the far end of the New River Lawn is this wonderful Paeonia suffruticosa 'Shugyoku Den', photo 5. The flowers are as large as your hand with your fingers stretched out, amazing. In one of the tubs along the path nearby was this delightful Pulsatilla vulgaris, the Pasque flower, photo 6.

In the Kitchen Garden the pear trees in the Fruit Arch were covered with blossom, photo 7. Nearby the Prunus laurocerasus 'Camelliifolia', the Curly-leaved Laurel was also covered in flowers, photo 8. I am always intrigued by this tree because it one of Nature's wonders, how does it know it has to curl its leaves?? 

Moving on to the Tulip Terrace I was immersed in colour. The sight of so many different tulips was a truly wonderful sight, photos 9, 10, 11, and 12. The new variety included here is more than just a double, photo 13. It has almost a peony like flower and the colours range from yellow through orange to red, amazing. 

In the Rose Garden the tulips in the beds there add a welcome pop of colour, photo 14. As does the beautiful rose there, photo 15. It is Rosa 'Canary Bird' and the flowers really are 'Canary yellow', photo 16. 

Walking through the Pergola garden area on to the path by the pond there is a bench inviting you to sit and enjoy the view for a while, photo 17. Nearby is a small Crab Apple tree covered in blossom. It may be small but it has a big name as it is Malus x scheideckeri 'Red Jade', photo 18. 

Walking around the Pond towards the Old Conservatory I stopped to enjoy the mix of colours here, photo 19. Those gorgeous blousy tulips have been planted here alongside Fritillarias and Smyrnium perfoliatum, photo 20. Then over the window across the side of the house is Rosa banksiae 'Lutea', photo 21. The common names for this rose are Banks' rose or Lady Banks' rose as it was named after Dorothea, Lady Banks, who was the wife of botanist Sir Joseph Banks. 

Finally, a little bit of fauna for you. When I was walking along the path to the Rock Garden I saw this lovely Orange Tip butterfly on a bluebell, photo 22. I've included a copy of the photo with the butterfly circled in case you can't find it, photo 23.The green mottling you can see is on the underside of the wings. Then this beautiful swallow has arrived, photo 24. I know one swallow doesn't make it summer yet but it is a start.! 

Hope you have enjoyed this wander around the garden with me. 

Best wishes 

Jo