I recently took this photograph when sweeping up the leaves on my back yard. I hadn’t previously taken much notice of the lichens on my acer tree, but on that day the sun’s reflection made them stand out like a miniature coral reef. Perhaps it’s the more dominant autumn leaves that cause us to overlook…
I planted a hazel tree in my garden in February. Corylus avellana is its botanical name, and every garden should have one. I already have several hazels in a garden hedge, but I wanted to give this particular bushy tree a bit of space to grow. Every year I spot hazel seedlings growing in the…
Dear friend, We’re delighted to share our biggest-ever range of workshops with you this Spring, featuring practical gardening and allotmenteering advice for beginners, as well as floristry crafts, and a special full-day beekeeping taster. Thinking ahead to Mother’s Day, we offer custom gift cards that make it easy for you to gift experiences to friends and family.…
Gardening is the healthiest of all recreations, as it calls into healthy activity every faculty of body and mind, and is therefore of especial importance to artisans, persons employed in sedentary occupations, and those who live in thickly populated districts, and their families. You would be forgiven if you believed that this statement was made…
Dear friend, Have you seen Spring bulbs emerging yet? It won’t be long before we can celebrate the first daffodil of the year, shortly followed by bright tulips, delicate cherry blossom, and huge magnolias 🌸 The long, verdant leaves of these daffodil shoots in the photo above were spotted on our Nursery garden. Last weekend…
For those of you who’ve experienced a tour of St Ann’s Allotments, you may recall that the principles of Victorian gardens, such as our allotments, were ‘Privacy, Pleasure and Peace’. The three P’s. The plots were used for growing flowers, relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying afternoon tea on the lawn. Those Victorian principles are still enjoyed…