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Cressing
Temple
Tudor Garden Update - Very Late Summer 2007 |
As we come into September the flowering season for most plants is coming to
an end. Exceptions are the later blooms of soapwort, tobacco plants and the
small greenish flowers of hops.
Seed heads are developing throughout the garden with striking examples seen on cardoons and artichokes.
Fruit and nuts in the orchard and nuttery will soon be ready for picking; and as autumn approaches pumpkins, seen in the potager garden, will turn a distinctive orange. Look out for the many figs on the fig tree, first recorded in England in the early 16th century. The vivid scarlet colour of ruby chard - often mistaken for rhubarb, again in the potager, looks particularly wonderful when the sun shines through it!
The uncut patches of grass and seed heads, to the right of the arbour, are left to encourage wildlife: insects, moths, small lizards, toads and voles thrive in this type of habitat. In early summer this area is full of wild flowers making a 'flowery mead'- a feature of medieval gardens. It is cut back periodically and will be shortened in the coming weeks.
Our mandrake plant, situated in the medicinal border, will re-emerge in autumn. Through summer it remains dormant beneath soil level, another quality that seems to warrant its sinister and magical reputation. It will be back for Halloween!
The garden fountain is
now turned on at peak times only to reduce evaporation. However, if you particularly
wish to see it running at other times please ask a member of staff.
William Rallison
Horticulturist
