May/June 2008

Well, it’s been dry. Apart from a few showers we have had little or no rain for a month,now, and things are beginning to get desperate. Watering can help but there is really no substitute for a good dowsing of the natural stuff which gets well down to the roots.

The big advantage of a cool east wind and no rain is that,of course, the grass doesn’t grow too much which makes life a little easier when there is a large area of the “green stuff” to keep on top of. Highlights around the garden at this time include a lovely show from the rhododendrons, clematis montana climbing up,and out through the top of, a couple of large trees, meconopsis(both blue and white),papavar poppies, various trollis and allium and the candelabra primula, Miller’s Crimson, new this year in the Japanese garden. The climbing roses around the main building and in the herb garden are just about to bloom, Kiftsgate,Rambling Rector and Himalayan Musk are three of the best. There is also an old climbing rose on the front of Corriebruach House. It’s an ancient plant and was severely pruned this spring but it has responded in great style with a stunning show of large,highly-scented blooms and it will go on throughout the summer.

The Japanese-styled garden continues to develop. It is turning out to be a lovely spot with the removal of some trees, during the winter, allowing much more light to penetrate the garden and offer a dappled effect throughout the day. The only drawback has been the explosion of sycamore seedlings in the cleared areas. They are easy enough to remove but after several thousand one begins to flag…..but removed they will be, bit by bit.

Despite,or perhaps because of, the dry weather the herbs in the herb gartden have never looked better. Parsley,which we have struggled with in the past, is growing strongly, thyme and oregano mounds are everywhere and fennel,lovage and sage are all in great condition. Last year our “cut-flower” lillies failed. We took advice and after feeding heavily with potash and phospate and spraying for mildew the bed looks much better this year. The one other option we were given was to haul them all out and start again…..glad we didn’t take that drastic action.

Rain will come, the wind will swing round to a more southerly direction and normality in the weather will return. Then the delphiniums will bloom and they give every indication of being the best show yet. Come along and enjoy it all, the gardens are open all the time and it's free!. Innes