Garden Manager’s update
Well it’s been a very busy time in the garden and nursery since the last newsletter.
Our warm and mainly dry summer was a joy to work in and great for our visitors. Not so good for our plants. The trees have had a stressful time, both in the nursery and garden. And weather like that really highlighted the value of the mulch we have laid down around our new herbaceous plantings. Valuable moisture was retained in the soil and the competing weeds kept down, allowing the plants to grow and mature nicely.
Competition for moisture and nutrients was also a key feature in the nursery this summer. For the first time, we have trialled a green manure crop between the rows of trees. The main purpose is to provide ground cover to out-compete the weeds. Then you dig in the plants at the end of the year to improve the soil structure. A Secondary benefit is reducing evaporation of moisture from the soil. Additionally the plants provide a food source and habitat for a number of beneficial insects.
Green manure experiments
Our experiments this year have been really successful. Phacelia tanacetifolia germinated rapidly and out-competed the weeds. Its long-lasting blue flowers attract masses of bees and other pollinators and they look beautiful too. Mustard (Sinapsis alba) is proving useful among our taller trees and the leaves make a good salad! A lovely red flowered clover (Trifolium) is looking promising among the very small trees, as it is quite low growing. On top of all the benefits for the trees, we have hardly had to weed in the nursery at all!
The renovation of the water garden continues. The re-establishment of candelabra primulas has provided a stunning display and more recently we have been planting an array of new ferns under the guidance of our Garden Director Duncan Rice. Our humid, shady woodland is ideal for ferns, which provide attractive, architectural forms while forming excellent ground cover. Planted en-masse they echo the naturalistic style that creator Kenneth Ashburner perfected in the garden.
Our loyal and enthusiastic band of volunteers continues to provide amazing support for the charity. From garden furniture repair to propagating new plants, they carry out many essential tasks, and all with a sense of joy and enthusiasm.
As Autumn passes into Winter, we are going to be busy in the garden felling some of the established trees to make way for new plantings.
Unusual Birch from China and the Himalayas We are removing some provenances of common European trees to make space for more unusual and attractive birch from China and the Himalayas. This will add interest to the garden for the future and showcase the enormous variety of birch found in the wild.
Throughout the summer there has been a great deal of interest in our nursery. We have many reservations for trees. We will soon be starting to lift and dispatch these throughout the UK. If you are thinking of planting trees this winter, why not have a look at our new website shop, where you can see our stock. Remember that, as a Friend, you get a 30% discount on any trees you buy from us. You can visit the shop here: https://stonelanegardens.com/shop
Friends and volunteers are the life blood of Stone Lane Gardens
New Season Trees are now available.. many have 
Much Ado About Nothing?
