Latest Garden Pictures

A selection of photos from the garden recently as we approach our open day on the 30th July

June Colour

The latest clematis to flower is Pangbourne Pink which is a dwarf variety and reliable.

Rosa mutabilis is another reliable plant with Kniphofia Rich Echoes complimenting it.Not sure what the weird allium is but small birds use it as a perch!

Our favourite water Lilly Texas Dawn is in full flower with all the warm weather.

Zantedschia aethiopica looking the best we have seen it, loves being in water.

In the foreground is Dianthus Brilliancy which is in its third year.

The BBC Calls!

Graham received an email on Monday from a production company working for the BBC. They wanted to film a garden and garden owner where there is plenty of wood/timber used in a garden for various purposes to use in a current gardening programme called "Garden Rescue" The programme goes out every afternoon at 15.45pm on BBC 1.

Graham spent about an hour speaking about various features in our garden and then the interviewer/camerman spent another 3 hours filming the garden. We suspect about 2 to 3 minutes will be used in a programme broadcast in late May/June. Also quite a bit of the filming will be used via the BBC archive on other editions of the programme as the interviewer was impressed with our range of features.

The use of modern technology meant Graham had a remote mike under his shirt with wifi unit tucked in his back pocket and also a mike on the camera. Gone are days when a full production crew turn up!

Our latest wood feature the pontoon became the core interest and Dean was also keen to film from the boat which gave Graham palpitations as it was the first time this year he had used it so rowing was a bit erratic!!

We await with interest as to how all the 4 hours spent in wonderfully bright sunshine will be edited and if the brief mention of our NGS open day will not be left on the cutting room floor!!

Duck Wars

Our resident brood of ducklings were joined today by another lot of 13! This usually causes much infighting but apart from a nose to nose confrontation of the mothers it has been mostly peaceful/

Pond Side Colour

It must be a record year for marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris) as they are full of flower. The bog bean(Menthyanthes trifoliata) is also in flower.

Today the reflections in the pond are excellent with nice fluffy clouds and little breeze to disturb the water

Tulip Time

All our tulips are in full bloom about two weeks early!

 Tulip Ballerina (orange) is doing well and its the 8th year its flowered so a good doer!

 Tulip Shirley is a favourite because it starts off pure white and gradually changes colour to a lilac ripple!

More shots with Fuji XT1

A few more close ups 

More Photos with Trial Camera

We have one Primula denticulata which comes every year so must remember to get some more

The narcissus are bulking up well in the moist soil on the pond bank.

The Amelanchier features in an arty shot!

First Moor hen Brood Arrives

Just noticed today that after nearly 4 weeks the moor hen eggs have hatched, there 8 eggs but cannot count how many chicks for fear of them falling out of the nest in fright if I get too close!

I had to rebuild the nest with its eggs when inadvertently I came across it when cutting down dead Thalia leaves. Quite pleased the moor hens seemed happy with my redesign and theen carried on as normal!

Camera On Test

I have been loaned a Fuji XT1 camera to see if it takes improved photos as our existing Olympus camera is now 15 years old. This is medieval in digital camera world!
So see what you think of these photos, are they better?

The first one shows our lawn just after cutting today.

The marsh marigolds are nearly in full flower

Magnolia Lionel Messel still going strong!

A close up to test camera in macro mode!

Magnolia campbellii

Visited a friend nearby to admire his magnificent specimen of Magnolia campbellii in full flower. Its normally at home in Cornwall where it is warmer but as you can see it is thriving here in Norfolk.

The same garden has over 300 species/cultivars of hydrangeas so will try to get some pictures later this year for the blog.

More Colours of Spring and a New Seat!

 The Magnolia loebneri x Leonard Messel is putting on its usual fabulous display. For several years I thought it was a form of stellata until a friend put me right!!

A new bench has arrived to replace the metal one which has rusted badly and is no longer stable. It is of the classic Lutyens design and suits our arbour structure.

Bergenias are always reliable and this one is called Morgenrote and has lasted nine years so far!

Daffodils in Full Bloom

The recent warmer weather has brought out a good display of daffodils and narcissus this year after quite a poor show in 2016. I cannot think why there should be a difference!

One of Sally's favourite flowers,viola, are also starting to colour up.