Hi it’s Kath here, writing today’s blog, I shall start with our two new trainees: Nicola and Ryan who are coming to the end of their third week with us, they have had a whirlwind of lessons in how to use this and how to use that piece of kit and today they are to be tested on their first ‘plant identity list’. They have been busy learning some of our Herbaceous Perennials on the main borders. They are given a list 40 plants to find, learn and recognise and then they are tested on 25 of them. No pressure eh guys? Good luck to you!
Talking of the main borders there’s lots of fabulous late summer colour at the moment, with the Kniphofia’s Aconitum’s and Actaea’s taking centre stage. Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea group) ‘Brunette’ is simply stunning at the moment with its delicate white flower spikes and these have an enchanting scent if you get close enough, contrasting with the fabulous dark purple leaves they would be an amazing addition to anyone’s garden.
Elsewhere in the garden, the volunteers and I have been on our hands and knees planting little wild flower plugs for our annual shade meadow. We have started with Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos- cuculi) and Red Campion (Silene dioica). The other meadow, not in the shade has been having its annual short back and sides in readiness for planting up. It’s now looks positively bald; but we have sown some seed down and more plugs are to be planted over the following weeks, knee pads on folks!
Sherida one of our Seattle Interns (See Tom’s blog last week) has come to the end of her two weeks with us, it will be sad to see her go, we always enjoy having them over. Hallo to Claire Larry and Holly if you’re reading this, all of whom have all been with us in previous years. We still have Lisa with us for another week, so that’s good.
Finally the Ginger (Hedychium) Andrew planted in the summer has decided to flower at last, we have been watching closely and it is rewarding us now. It’s in the Goldsbrough Garden if you want to see it, not in full flower yet; but I shall be standing by with the camera for when it is.
Happy gardening this weekend wherever you are, the weather seems set fair - thanks for reading
Kath Musgrove – Gardener with Gardens West