Seasonal turns...

In a season when we should be contemplating a fall of snow, about the only thing that is descending at the moment are leaves from the trees. It would seem that the season of autumn has extended into early winter. Oaks are still showing green leaves and again we will probably end up with new leaves pushing the old leaves off - similar to the effect that adult teeth have on baby teeth!

Autumn by the Japanese Hut

©Sam Youd

Having said all of that, we have had two nights of frost down to minus two which effectively has stopped the growth of the grass and given the message to the border plants that it is at last time for them to go to sleep.

The fruit tress are still bearing good crops of apples despite the lateness of the season with also continuation of crops of figs, particularly the variety Rouge de Bordeaux which has a luscious red centre, deliciously sweet.

Good success has been had with a third batch of pineapple plants which means that we will now be able to complete the planting of the pineapple house in all three bays, with the prospect of maybe some plants from the first batch fruiting next year.

The conservatory is almost at the point of completion except for one or two jobs which need to be adjusted; planting has already started. We look forward to this new and exciting adventure, so if you think garden visiting is only a spring and summer occupation then there’s still time to readjust your thinking. Get out there and enjoy these fine sunny, mild days.

Sam Youd, Gardens Manager

Japanese Garden on fire!

Panic not - its glowing with autumnal colours only!   



 

Japanese maple leaves © Eleanor Gorsuch

Not many places are as beautiful as the Japanese Garden in Autumn.  The historic garden, which this year celebrated the centenary of its introduction, is arguably at its most beautiful in October. Now is the perfect time to see its striking and varied collection of Japanese maples turning rich red, russet and gold.  It really is a sight to fall in love with.

The garden has provided Gardens Manager, Sam Youd, with inspiration for the following poem:

Kaede

One hundred years performing before Gentry and Nobility.
Their annual pageant carefully crafted to reflect the seaons.

The Interval,
Tea Ceremony;
anticipation of different scenes.

Shafts of filtered light enhance the costumes.

A year of rehearsal over, the final performance.

Applause and standing ovations from every side.

Colourful explosions of reds and yellows,embalmed in tempura.

A curtain of snow prepares to fall.

Sam Youd, October 2011



We hope you enjoy it!.  Visit our Japanese Garden. 



NB. 'Kaede' is Japanese for maple.  Traditionally, autumnal maple leaves are dipped in tempura batter to make a beautiful table decoration and delicacy.









Tatton showmen

8 July 2011



Caption competition?!

©Sam Youd





We are on day 5 of the build of our show garden at the RHS Show site (a garden inspired by the centenary of the Japanese Garden). At the moment it feels like October with the wind whistling across the open parkland.

 

Beginning to take shape..

©Sam Youd



Having dug out the pond we’re now ready for planting but we’re really concerned about the wind burn on the tender acers if we were to put them out today. However, we need to place these large acers before we continue the planting of the rest of the garden. We’ve looked at the forecast and decided to put off the planting until tomorrow, which is just as well, because as we speak it is throwing it down with rain and may get even heavier.



Up to now build has gone really well; the weather has been reasonably kind, although, like all gardeners we’re bound to moan about the fact that the garden is really hard – due to the fact that we had a very dry spring and whatever we have had since then, has found it difficult to penetrate.



The other gardens are looking good and everyone seems to be ahead of schedule – there is a good atmosphere as most people know one another anyway. By next week, as more plants arrive, we will definitely see a constant migration of plants between one garden and another as we all swap our surplus plants!



The best way to build a garden for the show is to always have in mind that anything you do or plan to do, needs to be done early in the hour, early in the day, early in the week. No procrastination should be allowed and good logistical planning is essential! The aim should be to finish the garden as early as possible so that by the time judging takes place the garden should look settled and the plants should have started to re-grow.

 

Gardens which are finished early always attract TV/media attention as reporters and producers are always looking for finished items. In view of this, it’s extremely important to have a couple of quirky stories in hand – which act as a media carrot. I’ll keep mine to myself, for now (ie make some up later!).



Have a good show!



Sam Youd, Gardens Manager