The rain begins. The garden opens for the summer. Sunshine and showers, the old familiar.

 

One of the brick columns sent aslant during the storms is straightened by the gable end of the house. Now that essential repair works are mostly completed we can address gaps in planting and further tidying of disrupted areas. A few annual seeds are scattered around, we will see what comes up.

 

Still more trees go in – as a bit of long term planning a new pinus radiata near to the original at the end of the lochan which acts as an eye catcher. About a third of this was lost in the storm and the hope is that by the time the new tree is established it will be ready to replace any further losses but continue to complete the view.

 

A bit of necessary pruning and thinning of damaged and overgrown laurel in the Woodland garden is completed and further planting along the Holzwege wood path area. This will all take time to settle, but already we are beginning to see the benefits of light let in to previous densely shaded areas like this. The understory around the Pyramid in particular is starting to look more lush and fulsome.

 

Huff Lane and the yew hedging around the Roman garden are given a light clip to keep them in shape. Once started though it is one of those jobs that just has to continue – so the perimeter and large yew hedge at the top of the Parkland get attention too.

 

A few more containers are refreshed or planted up with stray perennials from the greenhouse.

 

The new tool shed is completed. A refuge place for volunteers who kindly helped with its construction.

 

The Allotment and Kailyard are looking tidy as beds are filled out and pushing forward in growth – a steady round of weeding keeps them in check. It is beginning to look like a decent crop might result.

 

Nettles and willow herb are rampant again. Both get a bit of a seeing to, but far from completed, it will be a task that will continue in some form or other for the rest of the summer. The gaps in the lawn and some of the bare sections of pathways through the Wild garden are filling in with newly germinated growth.

 

The area behind the Beehives is planted up with cranesbill to soften some of the piles of logs and wood chip which were abandoned here.

 

The Hortus gets a bit of necessary upkeep – the blighted box is still unsightly but nepeta is coming up, one of the beds filled out with bronze fennel and the Cloud Pool cleaned.  

 

The flag is flown once more. The Oerlikon and the Lyre hoisted aloft. Visitors can again brave the track and the weather to reach this island in an inland sea.