July Update

JULY

A trip to Yorkshire and hydrangeas in abundance.

July has been full of lessons. Some obvious, and some unexpected. My first groundbreaking statement is that I can confidently confirm mulching is king, not only for weed suppression, but for being able to lock in the moisture, protect the soil and generally keep everything happier, healthier and more productive. Shocking. 

Keeping everything alive in the heat has been a challenge, and it’s a relief to see how much difference one tiny tube of drip irrigation can make. Will installed an additional system along the terracotta pots on the terrace, and after some back and forth googling water pressure, had success with the thinest, skinniest of tubes. In hindsight I wish we’d done it months ago as it’s freeing to not feel bound to a watering can every day. 

My plan of seed sowing in larger 9cm pots was a success in that they were able to survive the heat by being sat in a tray of shallow water, but a bit of a failure come time to plant out as the roots had become so intertwined that there were heavy losses as I tried to pry them apart. Back to the drawing board!

The dahlias in the garden are slug damaged disasters, whilst the dahlias in the field are thriving, perhaps more predators for the slugs in the field? But more on those glamorous beauties next time.

Viburnum opulus, Rosa ‘Iceberg’, ‘Penelope’, ‘Malvern Hills’, Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’, Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’, Ammi majus.

A huge perk of being back on tour has been that it’s facilitated visits to some of the most wonderful gardens and floral mentors and friends around the country. Sarah Statham encapsulates these qualities in abundance and it was an excellent start to the month being able to jump on a train from Manchester to go and spend a day with her in her small corner of Yorkshire. 

Since our first class in 2022, I’ve always appreciate her council, so the day was filled with much chat on all things business and design, new plant discoveries (Pimpinella major ‘Rosea’ will be a firm addition to the field come autumn), all whilst creating with exceptional ingredients from her garden and the power house growers of Yorkshire. A truly superb day. 

It’s been a tale of two cities with the hydrangeas - the ones at the garden which we can keep an eye on and irrigate have thrived, whilst the varieties in the field have really struggled with this hot, dry spring and summer. Some favourites from the garden include Hydrangea aspera (villosa group), a glorious shrub with lazy, outstretched limbs which we first saw at Dixter planted with Japanese anemones and thalictrums - something we’ve replicated here in our own way in the garden. I’ve always found Hydrangea paniculata more appealing both in the garden and to design with than the mop head macrophylla varieties. I find there to be more air and delicacy in their shape, and the beauty continues as they fade throughout the summer and in to autumn. Three favourites blooming in the garden are ‘Limelight’, ‘Wim’s Red’ and ‘Great Star’ (all pictured below). Relatively easy to take from cuttings, Will has been increasing our stock of them over the last few years. I’m a lucky man!

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight’, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Wim’s Red’,  Hydrangea paniculata ‘Great Star’

August sees a pause in dancing but a big step up in design work, with multiple weddings and projects waiting in the wings, I look forward to sharing more next time. 

Thanks for reading.