the blackberry garden

September has happened.

I had to spend some time in Stratford Upon Avon the other day and had an hour free.

I have been planning to go to Newby Hall for some time.

You know how it is: there you are in early Spring all excited when the plant catalogues start arriving and full of the joys of ordering frenzy.

Southport Flower Show (20th - 23rd August 2026) has become a firm fixture on my 'must visit' show list.

What a month August has been: it has been hot hot hot.

A couple of days after my visit to the Manor House, Upton Grey, I was on the road again this time heading for Hilldrop Garden in Essex, the garden of John Little.

I know I have said previously that Fothergill's Press Day is one of the highlights of my gardening year and it remains true.

I bought Rosamund Wallenger's book about the restoration of the garden at The Manor House, Upton Grey probably when it was published in 2000, it was certainly some years ago.

A few weeks ago I posted my latest 'The Questions' answered by Adam Woolcott who is the gardening expert for Webb Garden Machinery.

I had wanted to visit Audley End House and Gardens for some time.

It has barely rained at all this month.

Cedric Morris, reknown artist and gardener, lived at Benton End near Ipswich with his partner Arthur Lett-Haines from 1939 until Cedric's death in 1982, (Arthur sadly dying earlier in 1978).

It appears it is seven years since I last visited Melbourne Hall, this hardly seems possible!

There is a new kid on the flower show block, RHS Badminton Flower Show.

I was pleased to be invited to join the blog tour of reviews of James Dale's book 'The Future of Bananas'.

June has been a month of heatwaves.

Or the Quince Count commences - brace yourself.....

I have visited Barnsdale Gardens several times over the years.

I always enjoy BBC Gardeners World Live Last year I missed it so I was determined to get there this year.

"Do you want to go and see the iris trial at Lamport Hall?"

Adam Woolcott is one half of Woolcott and Adams, garden designers who have won four RHS Chelsea gold medals and three People's Choice Awards - which is no small achievement.

Well what can I say about May: its been a bit chilly, its been chuffing hot and we had a mahoosive thunder storm as well.

I recently wrote about a visit to Birmingham's Winterbourne House and Gardens and that there was a part two to the day.

The blossom is over and so hopefully are the frosts, so we are now in that precious moment of time when the quincelets are setting.

I was extremely excited when my press pass for RHS Chelsea Flower Show was approved this year.