I’m rather behind with blogging and as it’s been a while since I posted any photos of the Priory, here’s a quick, excitable splurge; a brisk whizz about the gardens, showing some photos from the past few weeks.
This steep bank below the greenhouses is one of my favourite spots at the Priory. It is no longer strimmed from early spring onwards and has rewarded us with primroses and anemones;
dog violets, a few daffodils and, earlier, crocuses. A reward for doing nothing.
Similarly, bluebells and Erythronium ‘Pagoda’ are spreading and establishing themselves in another patch of uncut grass.
On the meadow, under the huge oak, primroses are on a colonisation quest. Here the meadow grass doesn’t get so long as to smother them.
They have helped make up for the dearth of daffodils. I have realised, too late, that a lot of the meadow is simply to wet for the latter.
It is a sodden environment but the fritillaries at least appreciate it;
which, as they are personal favourite, gives me smug pleasure.
Also out on the meadow the ten young fruit trees are blossoming, safe behind their deer barriers. Apart from quinces, the garden fruit trees didn’t produce any fruit last year. Not a plum, not an apple, not a pear, not a cherry, not a … well, you get the idea.
I think this year will be better.
Where the drainage is sharper (like here on a sloping lawn beside the drive), daffodils have done better – though my bulb supplier, Philip Nyssen’s quality control seems a little lax*. These are four pockets of Narcissus ‘Ice Follies‘ but, as you can see, a few of another variety have slipped in. Should I be annoyed? Should I rant? Stamp my foot? Should I rip out the interlopers? Probably, but that seems churlish and mean-spirited. They can stay, I suppose.
On the east lawn where again the drainage is good (there is a ditch cutting across this shot) another introduction is doing well: N. ‘St Patrick’s Day.‘
My all time favourite daffodil is N. ‘Thalia‘ planted here on the east lawn and I’m pretty fond of
N. ‘Pipit‘ too – doing moderately well on a drier part of the meadow.
Under a large oak these doubles have been here for years. Even if I liked them (which I don’t)
the flowers are too heavy to stand upright. What’s the point in that? Silly things.
The Priory has two Amelanchiers; this one planted too close to the tulip tree by the house
and another smaller one in one of the kidney beds. Beautiful, huh?
And after last year’s rubbish performance the blackthorn on the river bank has put on a good show this year. It is getting a little too large – I think next winter I shall lift its crown by a few feet and reveal the mass of wild garlic at its feet.
And finally a shot across the east lawn to the greenhouses – taken yesterday. Which brings us up to date. Phew.
Yep, the gardens are certainly under way. Now, if I can just stay on top of it.
* An addendum. Within hours of publishing this post, I had a very nice email from Karen at Philip Nyssen, apologising for the strays amongst my Ice Follies and offering replacements. How gracious – though on reflection, I ought to apologise too. I should have contacted them as soon as the problem became evident rather than waiting almost four years before having an online moan.
