I guess the best thing that can be said for the somewhat curious season we seem to be having is that it has brought the flowering of our Summer Borders forward by several weeks. Penstemons which normally flower in mid-December are blooming their heads off right now. Winter dragged a bit, then summer arrived with a bang. Spring, I think, was that four days in between. No-matter, what I’m sure is a tricky season for farming areas for us has the garden looking glorious.


Another plant to have enjoyed the season has been our old Japanese Silver Bell. I have never seen it with so much flower. And our Hostas are fabulous. These will be good now for the summer. Also, a little boast over Paris polyphylla, the no-more-gaps plant as Ric Dooley christened it years back. Our little colony is looking simply splendid hanging over the hostas.

Now, for those looking for Christmas ideas – we are busily selling tickets to Cloudehill’s twilight performances of Shakespeare by Ozact (January Fri 1st & Sat 2nd). This year Bruce and the team are putting on Midsummer Night’s Dream, everyone’s favourite Shakespeare! What better present could there be? I reckon three or four tickets for that tricky uncle/brother-in-law, the one who has everything. Even better, send them that obscure bottle of wine someone left behind after a dinner party last winter and grab a few tickets for yourself!

The tickets are selling! Try Booking makes buying as easy as falling off a very slippery log.
Check our website events page.
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