A mildly confusing December

It’s been a very mild winter so far, and as we exit December and move into a new year, I’m seeing some very confused plants. Our early daffodil avenue is already well into flower, which is at least a month ahead of schedule. It is amazing to walk down an avenue of daffodils in early January, but I worry about how they will cope with a sudden change in the weather. We are seeing other bulbs starting to emerge around the estate as well as rhododendrons in flower. Let’s hope this predicted cold snap doesn’t cause too much damage, but rather reminds the gardens what time of year it is!
December flew by as usual, and I find myself reflecting on a positive year in the gardens. We saw new beds planted, a new jetty on the lake and the maturing of many of the newer plants around the gardens. The Winter borders were further extended, and they are looking spectacular at this moment. I can’t wait to see our new heritage collection of daffodils come into flower in March.
We have a lot of jobs lined up for January. It’s seen by many as a quiet time of year in the garden, but for us it’s a chance to get ahead with the mulching, edging and general housekeeping before the real madness! It’s also now time for pruning and tidying the grape vines, fruit trees and bushes as well as ornamentals. Our apple orchards will be getting some formative pruning next week. While doing this we will be firming up the roots of young trees and plants that may have been loosened by the high winds and wet conditions. It is extremely important, and you should check your own gardens for this too.
Our tree surgeons will be busy in the coming weeks as they do their annual checks of the mature trees around the estate. This involves climbing to examine the canopies for cavities or dead wood and in some unfortunate cases even felling a tree for safety reasons. Our arboretums have really benefitted from professional regular care over the years, and because of this we are seeing healthier trees that are better prepared to withstand the more extreme weather that we are seeing.
It has been a very mild winter so far but I’m always aware of the chance of a sudden change. There is a cold snap predicted, and we have the fleece and straw ready to protect the less hardy plants should this happen. Regardless of the weather, the grounds and gardens really look beautiful at this time of year, especially the lake walk. There is something here for all the family, and let’s face it, anything that gets us outside and into nature, especially the children, must be a good thing. We are very lucky to have such a diverse estate on our doorstep, and the season tickets are a bargain for locals who wish to make it a regular visit. I hope to see you in the gardens in the coming weeks. Adam

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