It’s all beginning to hot up in the Herm gardens although the lack of rain means the gardeners are having to water some areas.  We last had ‘proper’ rain early April so everywhere is starting to look quite dry.  Brett has been leading large groups on his weekly garden tour.  The garden tour takes place every Tuesday at 11am and is of interest to everyone, even if you aren’t a keen gardener. 

This week Brett and James have been working behind the scenes in the nursery planting up the hanging baskets and tubs.  These will stay in the poly tunnels for a couple more weeks before being hardened off.  During the first week of June they will be distributed around the island.  Frost killing off the bedding plants isn’t a problem here but strong winds are!  Putting the baskets and tubs out any earlier means the plants run the risk of being battered, so over the years Herm gardeners have learnt not to be too hasty in getting the summer displays out!

The valley and woodland walk has had lots of favourable comments.  The bluebells have been fantastic but are now just about over for this year. 

Ceanothus arboreus ‘Trewithen Blue’ (Californian Lilac)

The Ceanothus is a large evergreen shrub that can grow to 8 - 10 foot. It produces beautiful dark blue flowers in the spring time, flowering only on one-year-old wood. Pruning the plant must therefore be undertaken after flowering so as not to disturb bloom the following year. It is a plant that thrives on Herm. The plant likes well drained sandy soil and full sun. This one is flowering in the garden of Harbour Cottage.