Blue Is The Colour

Camassia leichtlinii

The cacophony of colour produced by the many hundreds of tulips planted in the gardens is starting to fade and being replaced by the calmer, cooler colour of blue. The first to flower is the Camassia leichtlinii and Ceanothus arboreus 'Trewithen Blue', with the many Wisteria not far behind, all calming the sensory overload before the summer explosion of colour. 
The Camassia leichtlinii, with their blue upright spikes of star shaped flowers, are flowering in the long grass area of the Nuffield lawn. The Ceanothus arboreus 'Trewithen Blue', an evergreen shrub, is found against the wall at the far end of the herbaceous border, and has produced a stunning display of large panicles of fragrant, pale blue flowers.

Ceanothus arboreus 'Trewithen Blue'

Double Width Diagonal Lines (Not Circles)

On the 3rd May Joss mowed circles on to the quad lawn, see blog entry 'Double Width Circles'. From these photographs it is clear to see that these new larger circles have been abandoned for double width diagonal lines. The reason, as Joss mowed the larger circles he noticed that, on some of the curves, a ridge was forming in the turf which was beginning to cause a problem. The circles, although a favourite with visitors, students and staff, have had to be changed to diagonal lines.

Fertiliser, 'Marathon Sport'

With heavy rain forecast in the afternoon, continuing overnight, Joss spent the morning adding fertiliser to four areas of lawn in the college. Starting with the largest of the lawns, the Nuffield Lawn, Joss doned full protective clothing; suit, gloves, boots and mask to apply the fertiliser granules. Marathon Sport is an extended release, high nitrogen fertiliser that will keep the turf well supplied with nutrients for 8 to 12 weeks after application and, as can be seen in the photograph below, is very dusty during application, hence the need for full protective kit.

Weighed Down With Stones

The fruit trees were pruned in February, see blog entry 4th February 'Fruit Tree Pruning', but with instructions having been left by Chris, the Orchard Manager at Waterperry Gradens, Ali returned, with Sophie, to the orchard this morning to carry them out.
Three young apple trees, Pitmaston Pineapple, were planted in the orchard in January 2011, see blog entry 27th January 'Planting, Pruning And Mulching' and two years later, are in need of a little attention. Having grown in an upright fashion, Chris left instructions to weigh the young branches down to help create the open, goblet shape that all the trees now have. Stones, tied with string, were used as weights and will be removed in the autumn when the tree becomes dormant.

The Wrong Tulips

Last Autumn Ali and Graham planted an additional 50 'Spring Green' Tulips in the serpentine border, see blog entry,18th October 2012 'Holes In The Ground'. The tulip, green and ivory in colour, was planted to compliment the box balls, but, as can be seen, a pink form has found its way into the display, in fact 50 of them! The problem has been traced back to the growers and all the rogue tulips have now been dug up. Ali and Graham will be back later in the year to plant another batch of 50 'Spring Green' Tulips, hopefully green and ivory in colour.

The Swans Are Incubating Their Eggs

The swan nest is now a huge mound and has continued to grow as the eggs have been laid. The female swan seems to have finished laying her eggs, 2 maybe 3 have been spotted over the last few days, and the pair are now taking turns to incubate them, hatching should take place after 35-42 days. (10th - 21st June)

Double Width Circles

Last year Joss changed the mowing design on the quad lawn from diagonal lines to circles, see blog entry 26th March 2012 'Round In Circles'. The circles proved a huge success with numerous positive comments received throughout the summer. This year the circles have returned, but this time bigger, double width circles! The process to start is still the same, Joss runs string from a corner, diagonally across the quad, to the opposite corner, staking each end. He repeats this process creating a cross of string on the lawn, giving him the centre point from where he starts the first circle. This time, rather than change direction after each circle is mown, he mows two circles in the same direction, twice the width. After two circles are complete he has to change the direction of the mower, going in the opposite direction to the two previous circles, creating the amazing striped effect, truly amazing to watch it being done, stunning!