Feeling Hot HOT HOT!

I hope you have found somewhere to work in the shade for the last few weeks. Chatting with our local wholesale nurseries here in Hereford, for most this is the earliest they have had a water warning; more and more are looking at personal reservoirs and other means of irrigating, and serious money is being spent in these areas.

Talking of keeping it local, our Plants for Peren–nial display has been completed by Louisa in the Hilliard Garden, showing off all but one of the plants in the scheme – available to buy in your local garden centres. Allensmore Nurseries released the first Plant for Perennial, an eye-catching Dianthus ‘Pink Celebration’, in 2023 and this started a conversation with other Hereford and Worcester plant breeders to champion Perennial by selling plants, with a donation within the sales price coming to the charity. This is a full circle product grown by our industry, feeding back into the charity that will be here to help them if they need it. So far Plants for Perennial have raised over £30,000.

Highlights from the garden

Our Liriodendron tulipifera 'Aureomarginatum' or variegated tulip tree, by the statues trumpeting you into the garden, is covered in flowers blending into the yellow-green foliage of the tree. As they are also yellow they are tricky to spot, but once you have your eye in they are a stunning cup shaped flower with an orange band around the base of each petal. An old wives’ tale is that when Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of Eden, Eve grabbed onto the leaves which caused them to rip, and we are left with the leaf shape we see today.

Around the garden you will see clumps of Lilium martagon; these dainty flowers punctuate borders here but also look at home in the long grass area. They do obviously get the dreaded lily beetle on them, but we have enough wildlife in the garden to help keep those under control.

Looking forward

August marks Sir Roy Strong’s 90th birthday – what an amazing life to look back on, and no plans of slowing down. At The Laskett we will be recognising this milestone over three days, 19th – 21st
August, with additional activities for our visitors to enjoy on these days.

Then in September (6th – 14th) we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to the garden for h.Art. Clair Hodgson who is our current Artist in Residence will be showcasing her beautiful artwork; from his recent success on BBC’s ‘Make it at Market’ Jan Bruce will be showing a collection of sculptures; Jane Farrington will be displaying her theatrical diorama; and David England who is a stone’s throw from The Laskett, just five houses away really, will be bringing artwork to The Laskett as our first outside artist. 

Little birds and smelly plants

It’s been pointed out to me by a visitor that we have a pair of Muscicapa striata or Spotted Flycatchers living onsite. These fabulous little birds are on the UK conservation status Red List, so let’s hope they find The Laskett a safe place to return to each summer. You may spot them swooping to catch flies around the fountains near the house or resting on the telephone lines.

What’s that smell, I hear you ask – no, it’s not me – it’s our little collection of Dracunculus vulgaris (dragon arum). These lilies cause a stir on Sir Muff’s Parade, kicking out a pungent aroma for a few days, attracting smaller flying critters to pollinate them. The smell isn’t like most lilies, rotting materials is the hint of this one, but this garden is full of talking points so why not a stinky one?

And with that I can see right now – the Kelsmor Dairy ice cream delivery van backing up the drive, I really must help them unload, I’m just so helpful. Why not come and enjoy an ice cream with us?