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Phone: 01323 485151
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Email: john@bluebellwalk.co.uk
February 2022 Update
February 2022 Update
Beatons Wood
Storm Eunice vented its fury on Beatons Wood last month, with many large branches wrenched from the oaks. This image shows one that has fallen right across one of the main paths used by all who visit.
We have now cleared all the paths, but we still have broken branches lodged in the upper reaches of some of the trees. They may look frightening, but as Storm Franklin failed to dislodge them, we have to wait our turn before our tree surgeon with his climber colleague can visit. Rest assured this will all be completed before we open on Wednesday 13 April!
This image shows what we thought was a mighty oak, which was one of two felled as Storm Eunice raged. On closer inspection of the roots, it appears much was dead, even though when growing they appeared as heathy as those surrounding them. It might be just as well one does not know what is going on under soil!
As you can see the bluebell leaves are very forward, so I hope by the time the Arlington Bluebell Walk opens that the carpets of the white wood anemones are not over. Many visitors say they possibly enjoy them more than the blue vistas!
This year for the first time, there is the option of walking round Beatons Wood when visiting Bates Green Garden every Wednesday, giving an opportunity to those who want to witness how the flora slowly emerge as spring unfolds in Beatons Wood. The wild daffodils Narcissus Pseudonarcissus in this image taken in the Millennium Walk, are over by the time the Bluebell Walk starts.
We are holding a Marie Curie Daffodil Day on Thursday 24th March, with light refreshments provided by Hailsham Lions. Prior booking is essential through Marie Curie as in March parking spaces are limited, as the Car Park Field cannot be used.
John McCutchan
Bates Green Garden
We were delighted to host out first NGS event for many years on February 20th . Many people braved the elements, and it did us all the power of good to get together and talk about plants and nature. The snowdrops were undeterred by Storm Eunice. The day was very uplifting which is what we all currently need.
Our next NGS day is on Sunday March 20th which will be a Daffodil Extravaganza! Light lunches and cakes will be available in aid of Cancer Research UK. Please book online via the NGS website.
The Garden Team are busy ensuring the garden is tip top for all our visitors. Gina spent a day cutting back our Cornus collection grown for its winter stem colour. We kept the stems for as long as possible, they were bright and colourful, but as soon as the buds started to break, down they came. They are very easy to propagate as hardwood cuttings and I was able to show our student, Harriet, my favourite ‘Swiss Roll Technique’ for this type of cutting. It is space saving and a way to re-use old compost bags.
We will now begin to lift and divide any congested clumps of snowdrops so that we can improve our display for next year. One of the benefits of gardening is that it encourages one to look forward and plan ahead in the certainty that whatever you do will be a huge success…..
Emma Reece – Head Gardener
Links:
Daffodil Day for Marie Curie (24th March) -
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing?eid=24246&
NGS Open Day (20th March) -
https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/9900
Bluebell Walk website -
https://www.bluebellwalk.co.uk
Bates Green Garden website -
https://www.batesgreengarden.co.uk
This message was added on Saturday 5th March 2022
Comments
Query re scooters/Georgina Evans
This is just an enquiry as to whether the scooters will be available this year? I so missed my visits to see the bluebells the last two years.
Re: Query re scooters/Bluebell Walk
Hello Georgina
Thank you for your question. Yes, thankfully we are able to provide services as normal after the disruption due to the pandemic. So the scooters are available again this year.
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