In April I took the above photo of the Pergola. Now half way through the first month of summer – what summer – the Pergola is looking rather lovely.
Our French garden intern Laura has worked very hard in the Walled Garden. First getting the Pergola into shape by planting all the dahlias and annuals that JT had ready for her on her arrival on the 3rd May. She has ensured that the beds of the cutting garden remain weed free and she has raked the path to keep for the same purpose. Raking paths is a wonderful way to keep weeds down. I’ll get James Jnr. to rake gravel next week all around the house.
This lovely scented rose is now in full bloom.
In the afternoons we have together been clearing in other parts of the Pleasure Grounds or we have been keeping the beds around the fruit trees tidy. Now as you walk up the Pergola you get lovely glimpses of the various rooms. Newly edged beds and the sight of soil around the trees.
We have also man-handled all our citrus tree out onto the gravel path and the view from the principal glass house is really quite special.
Most summers we’ve struggled to find the time to get them out, but because Laura is so fast and such a hard worker the mandarin, my lemons and BD citrus seedlings are all out enjoying the rain and the sun. As I write Laura is using citrus for a delicious Tart au Citron. Isn’t it fantastic that we live in a climate where we can, with a little effort, produce our own Co. Down citron!
