Storm Eunice and Garden Visits

Storm Eunice

On Friday 18^th February, the UK was hit with strong winds from Storm Eunice, bringing gusts of 80mph to this part of the country. Due to the forecasted high winds, the Gardens, Plant Nursery, Tearoom and Garden Shop were closed to visitors and staff.

Head Gardener Åsa Gregers-Warg and Gardens and Nursery Director David Ward headed to the Gardens early the following morning to assess the damage left in the wake of Storm Eunice. They found three fallen trees: a Rhus potaninii in the Woodland Garden, a eucalyptus on the edge of our Plant Nursery and an oak in the Water Garden. A Genista aetnensis in the Scree Garden was also damaged, so our Grounds Team worked to remove the sections that were unsafe.

The trees were cut up into manageable logs and some were moved to our wildlife area to add to our log piles, providing food for our many garden invertebrates and shelter for small mammals and reptiles.

Bethlem Royal Hospital Visit

On Monday 7th Feb, Bethlem Royal Hospital paid us a visit to discuss how they might create a gravel garden on a patch of ground adjacent to the walled garden which had previously been used as a car park. The Bethlem Royal Hospital is located in over 200 acres of green space in Southeast London. The extensive grounds boast wildlife rich meadows, woodland, streams, three orchards and walled garden. We welcomed Peter O'Hare (Head Occupational Therapist), Sergio Heredero (Horticultural Instructor) and George Williams (Horticultural Instructor) who encourage patients to spend time and work in the walled garden and orchards. This activity is used as part of a range of interventions to help with their recovery from mental illness. This year, George will also be running a John Muir Award, encouraging participants to garden with conservation and environmental issues in mind.

 Julia Boulton and David Ward (Garden and Nursery Director) were happy to share the experience we have on soil preparation, plant choices and maintenance. It's an exciting project and incredibly beneficial work that they do - we look forward to seeing what they do with their space.

Gardeners’ Question Time Postbag Edition

On Tuesday 8^th February we welcomed Gardeners’ Question Time host Peter Gibbs and panellists Matthew Wilson, Christine Walkden and Bunny Guinness to the Gardens to record a Postbag Edition. They explored the Gardens and answered listeners questions along with Head Gardener Åsa Gregers-Warg and Garden and Nursery Director David Ward. The episode was broadcast of Friday 18^th February and is still available to listen to  here.