A Walk in the gardens March 2007

The beginning of the month came in cold and blustery but as March progressed it turned dry and sunshiny. I have had several walks this month and each time there were new plants coming into flower. Many bulbs are flowering these include daffs, scillas and tulips. The Camellias have been splendid. Rhododendron Christmas Cheer is still flowering. Many of the large-leaved Rhododendrons such as sino-grande, grande and giganteum had their earlier flowers spoilt by the wind but the later flowers are looking great .I’m not sure which this one is but I thought it looked rather good!
On Spring Bank and in the Malcolm Allan Garden Rhododendrons cilipinense and moupinense are flowering. Also in the Malcolm Allan garden is Rh. emasculum.

Rh RW Rye continues to flower in all corners of the gardens and another yellow one in the walled garden is Rhododendron Quaver.
Two of Sir James Horlick’s own cultivars flowering just now are Rh. Titness Victory

       and Rh. Gigha Gem. The bright red flowers of Rh. barbatum hybrids provide colour in various parts of the gardens. Another red is Rh. Bibiani 

in the fulvum garden.
In the north walled garden Magnolia Leonard Messel has burst into bloom.
Much of the storm damage has now been cleared away and with the drier weather the work on the herbaceous borders is nearly finished apart from the planting.
A new standing out area for young plants has been made and one of the green houses has a display of cacti and succulents.
My final photo is taken from the steps up to the view point and shows the garden staff working on the herbaceous borders.