Justin’s Garden Blog – Autumn Newsletter
With the fourth heatwave of the summer now behind us, the gardens have moved quickly into an early autumn. The long spells of heat have taken their toll on many of the trees. To protect themselves, they have begun shedding unnecessary leaves, or in some cases curling their foliage inwards, conserving energy to safeguard the tree as a whole.
Hedge-cutting season is now coming to a close. The evergreen magnolias overlooking the Parterre have had their autumn prune. These trees thrived in the warmth this year and rewarded us with a particularly beautiful display of flowers through the summer. Sadly, the box hedges have not been so lucky. Alongside the familiar challenge of box blight, we are now facing the arrival of the box moth caterpillar. Treatments are underway, though it remains uncertain how successful they will be. It is beginning to feel as though the days of buxus in British gardens may be numbered.
On a brighter note, the vegetable garden has been thriving. It has given us a plentiful supply of crops for the kitchen, and this will continue well into the festive season. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing produce make its way from garden to table, providing fresh ingredients for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The gardens have also welcomed many visitors over the summer months. It has been a real pleasure to share the beauty of Nynehead Court with those who have come to explore, as well as to talk about the history of the estate. Alongside gardening, history is a personal passion of mine, and I find it a joy to bring both the grounds and their stories alive for others.
As autumn takes hold, I look forward to crisp mornings, the glow of sunrise and sunset across the lawns, and the blaze of seasonal colours that make this time of year so special.
All the best,
Justin
Head Gardener, Nynehead Court