Jo's News and Views No 6 June 2025

Hello Everyone 

First of all I would like to apologise for being so late with the June edition of my newsletter. I had my other knee replaced at the end of June so have not felt like doing anything. The good news is that my recovery is going well so no more excuses. 

By now I expect you are all aware that the temperatures for June were the highest on record. So I think we can expect some casualties in our gardens as the plants struggle now with very little moisture. 

On my visits to the garden in June I found a profusion of colour everywhere I looked. The Honesty Bed outside the Visitors Centre was full of Verbascum, Yucca and Linaria, photo 1. Nearby is one of the two Lime trees here. I believe Julia asked for some branches to be cut back but it was well and truly scalped. So I was pleased to see it burst into leaf at the beginning of June, photo 2, and by the end of June it was very well covered, photo 3. On the front lawn this group of foxgloves caught my eye, photo 4. 

In Tom Tiddlers Ground I found this beautiful Philadelphus, photo 5. The perfume surrounding it was heavenly. In the Rose Garden there were many roses blooming, photo 6. So lovely to see so many there. 

On the Tulip Terrace the summer bedding has been planted, photo 7. I expect the Canna Lilies in the centre of each bed will enjoy this warm weather, photo 8. In the Glasshouses some of the plants were flowering, photo 9. Always a delight to see them, photo 10. I love the Hoya carnosa that climbs along the wires, photo 11. It is also known as the Porcelain plant or Wax flower, photo 12. I think you can see how it got this name. 

In the Kitchen Garden the array of colourful wildflowers was amazing, photo 13. It was good to see an abundant crop of Conference pears on the fruit tree arch, photo 14. I wonder if the pesky parakeets have found them yet ?? In the Wisley Corner the Rosa Wisley 2008 (Ausbreeze) was covered in flowers, photo 15. 

The Eremurus Border was also in full flower, photo 16. The standard Ballerina roses are always a delight, photo 17. So many flowers on each small tree, photo 18. In the border was this Malva, photo 19. Again, completely covered in flowers, photo 20. Also here was this Salvia, photo 21. One of the bigger ones available. 

On the Hollow Lawn was this large shrub Ligustrum ovalifolium, photo 22. Beautiful flowers that remind me of lilac, photo 23. Nearby was this lovely Lilium martagon, or Turks Cap Martagon lily, photo 24. 

Finally, this seems to be a very good year for butterflies. I have seen Peacock butterflies, photo 25, Comma butterflies, photo 26 and the exquisite Mint moth, photo 27. 

So I hope you have enjoyed my wander around the garden. We have another hot spell of weather heading our way so take care of yourselves. 

Best Wishes 

Jo