May 2007

After many months in the planning, and siting, the interpretation boards are now in place. Inlaid into local stone these boards are placed at several locations throughout the grounds to enhance your enjoyment of the gardens, the trees and the wildlife.

Following soon will be 3 larger boards which will expand on the theme of the interpretation boards as well as having detailed maps of the grounds and local area showing, amongst other things, the network of paths throughout the grounds and the surrounding woodlands.

The work in the Japanese styled garden goes on. The flat areas have been seeded with grass and the pagoda is due for erection in the near future. Autumn planting schemes are being planned with an opening date for the garden predicted at spring 2008. It is going to be the most lovely place although time will be required for maturity to knit the plants together….that’s something you simply can’t hurry in a garden.

Elsewhere things are blooming. Meconopsis are a great show in the herb garden as are various forms of allium and iris. Some unusual forms of primula can be found around the grounds and the last of the daffodils, pheasant eye, are still in flower.
In the cut flower beds early gladiola and various lillies will soon be in flower, the dahlias are planted and the sweet peas are well established.

The vigorous Clematis Montana is flowering in several trees and on walls, the climbing roses are looking healthy and the rhododendrons and azaleas are in full bloom.

We have a new mower. Nothing unusual in that, you might think, but with the large areas of grass which we have to cut it is an important investment. It cuts a little higher than the previous machine so look forward to a “greener” feel to the grounds, grass just a little longer but green grass rather than yellow moss.Just another tweak in the on-going development of the Palace gardens. Innes

Garden Gallery