Enjoy the garden whatever the weather

July 7, 2012

Our ‘woodland and water’ garden’ has thoroughly enjoyed the recent downpours and is looking fabulous, the birch trunks glowing with colour under gloomy skies. In the stream and pool-sides, the giant ‘rhubarb’ or Gunnera is bigger than ever and drifts of smaller moisture-lovers like large-leaved Rodgersia and Astilbe are at their best now. There are many species of Rubus in the garden, collected by Kenneth on his travels along with the trees: the Rubus x fraseri (thimbleberry) are particularly attractive and flower for a long period before the edible fruits arrive. As always, the garden is alive with birds with many youngsters now taking to the air. Even though the ground is rather squelchy underfoot, the garden is still a wonderful place to explore – whatever the weather.