Bulbs Light Up The Darkness...

Winter really can be gloomy, dark and take a lot of effort to get through.  Especially for us gardeners out there!  There is very little work for us to do, shorter days, longer nights.  We are propelled in to a state of perpetual darkness.

However, we should not let this dampen our spirits for we can prepare to brighten up the darkness and lift our spirits for the upcoming months. The answer is bulbs! 

I have a fond admiration for bulbs, as to me they are a glimmer of hope that spring is around the corner and their enchanting array of colours inspire me and leave me longing for warmer days ahead. 

We at the museum would be at a loss without bulbs as the knot garden does peak at late spring/ early summer so there needs to be something to fill the void through the autumn/ winter period.  Due to some technical errors with ordering stock, we have been a little late receiving the order.

Fear not however, as soon as the order arrived we got to work straight away, with back breaking anticipation to get the bulbs in the ground.  Man has now done his work; it is up to nature to do the rest.  Over the next couple of months we will have surprises, little gems of colour popping up all over the Garden Museum, being the opening act of a horticultural 2012.

We have planted hundreds of bulbs around the gardens of the museum so look out for the following over the next couple of months;

Tulipa acuminata

Gladioulus byzanthius

Muscari camosum

Nectaroscordum siculum

Tulipa ‘Flaming Parrot’

Tulipa ‘West Point’

Narcissus ‘Golden harvest’

Eremurus stenophyllus

Fritillaria persica

Fritillaria lutea

Fritillaria aurora

Plane and Simple

As the Museum drifts into November and the year of 2011 draws to a close, there seems to be no indication that winter is at our door step.  The air is mild, the leaves are desperately hanging on and there is no sign of any frosts signalling the end of autumn, thus spiralling the natural world into a state of dormancy.

We are taking full advantage of this mild weather and getting vast amounts of gardening completed.  The London Plane tree leaves provide us all with a test of mental and physical endurance to keep our spirits positive.  The trees provide the team with a fresh pile to be swept up each day so a big thank you to the trees!

However, the Garden Museum has recently set up a partnership with Kensington Gardens, The Royal Parks and Enterprise plc.  Due to the waxy properties of the Plane tree leaves, they are impossible to break down and due to the vast number that we collect, the museum just does not have the facilities to accommodate and compost the material, and we unfortunately had to send it to landfill.  However, Kensington Gardens has a huge composting site within the grounds in which all green material from the central parks is processed, composted, and put back into the grounds.  They have kindly offered to collect our waste material every week and provide us with fresh compost. 

A big thank you must go out to

Ray Brodie, Park Manager, Kensington Gardens

Theresa Short, Assistant Park Manager, Kensington Gardens

Bennie Connolly, Enterprise Contracts Manager, Kensington Gardens

The Royal Parks and Enterprise plc partnership is a powerful step in promoting green infrastructure and sustainability for London, and setting an example to the world.

Making A Beeline For It!

Check out the new Beegate Estate at the Garden Museum...

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/5685

Knot 4 A While...

The crème de la crème of the Garden Museum is undoubtedly the 17^th century style knot garden.  However, some elements of the design have become redundant as time goes on.  I am aware that many keen admirers of the garden will have noticed that the quality of the knot is not what it used to be.

However, there is a change on the horizon, and over the coming year, we will aim to restore the knot garden to how it was originally designed.  One feature which we have put back into the knot garden are the four box topiary pyramids, situated at each of the four corners.  This striking feature of the knot garden has been absent for some years due to over clipping in the past.  Moreover, to recreate this pyramid again would take many years, due to the slow growing habit of the Box hedge (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffructicosa’).

Therefore, the museum could not wait any longer and we purchased the four box pyramid topiaries.  The volunteers and I got to work and planted them in the desired positions.  This gives an instant visual effect and enhances the overall appearance of the knot garden,

Over the years we will train the box to grow into the shape that was originally designed.  It will be a slow process but will be worth it in the end.  For those of you who remember what the knot garden was once like, or for those of you who are simply intrigued, then come on down to the museum and pay us a visit and let the team know what you think. 

The Garden Museum needs you!

The Garden Museum is a fantastic place of horticultural excellence and gives the viewer a chance to retreat from the outside world.  However, it takes a lot of effort to keep the Museum running.  We rely heavily on the kind generosity of volunteers giving up their free time to come and work at the Museum, whether it is behind the desk or working in the garden.

We are always looking for new volunteers to join the team.  It does not matter if you know nothing about gardening or horticulture.  It is a great way for you to get a taste for it and begin a whole new hobby! 

The main volunteer days for working in the garden are Tuesdays and Saturdays, but we have volunteers everyday helping to run the Museum on the front desk.

There are some great perks to volunteering at the Museum.  It can help keep you fit, learn new skills, make new friends and get involved with the team and give you satisfaction knowing that your invaluable services contribute to the growing importance of the Garden Museum being at the forefront on the debate of gardening and garden design.

If you are interested in volunteering then please do not hesitate to contact me via;

intern@gardenmuseum.co.uk or gareth10scotland@hotmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

Regards

Gareth

Gardening Services

If anyone would like any gardening services or work to be carried out then please do not hesitate to drop me an email and I will get back to you asap.


gareth10scotland@hotmail.com

Gareth

October 2011

What’s going on…

Where did summer go?  Did it actually arrive?  Or has it been and gone, rather like the shining moment when cherry blossoms are out in full force, but turn away for just a second and before you know it, it has disappeared.  That is what summer 2011 has felt like.

However, just as we thought it was over and we are preparing ourselves for autumn and colder times ahead, the sun beams down, magnificently for one last spell.  27ºC for October?  “Absolutely no chance!” I hear you say.  Though it is true.  An anomaly in our somewhat unpredictable weather, but one that gave the nation one last glimmer of summer before it retreats into the dark voyage of winter.

The weather really is a remarkable thing.  We British are obsessed with it.  We moan about it on a daily basis, but yet it is the pivotal ice-breaker for any conversation, so to that we must pay our respects and thank the weather for our introduction to October being a gloriously sweltering affair.

The sunshine is short-lived once more and Tuesday 4^th October kicks in and it is like the hot-spell never occurred.  We are officially in Autumn.  However, do not be disgruntled by this as autumn brings with it a palette of colours of varying shades and textures so get out there and begin snapping!

Within the Garden Museum there is plenty to do.  October is a time of clearing leaves, pruning, clearing leaves, cutting, oh, and did I mention clearing leaves?  It’s a thankless task but one that is still equally important as any other.  The Garden Museum has a row of London Plane (Platinus x hispanica) growing next to it.  As spectacular as they are, so is the volume of leaves that they produce.

However, we have plenty of rakes and volunteers who are not afraid to get stuck in!  (I cannot help but feel that this is some sort of initiation to be part of the Museum).  This will be the main bulk of the work taking place within the garden and competing with the trees to keep the garden looking presentable.

On a different note, there are plenty of tasks to undertake within the garden.  The Virginia creeper will not learn its lesson that it has to share the wall, not utilise all of it, so that will be given a good cut back for the winter period.

The Great Dixter border is looking a bit unsightly now and is definitely in need of some assistance so this will be worked on.  Sarah Price, award-winning garden designer, will be joining the Museum’s knowledgeable team and with myself, may be providing some evolutionary ideas to develop and enhance the border without it losing its integrity and character.

There is a lot to learn working for the museum and caring for the gardens is both a privilege and rewarding.  I cannot wait to get stuck in to some proper horticulture and do my very best by the Garden Museum and all those who visit it.  So let’s pick up our tools and head into autumn with our heads held high.

Gareth

Introduction and Hello!

Contained within the hectic, and often chaotic world of London, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, is one of London’s biggest secrets.  Tucked away in Lambeth lies one of the city’s heart-warming treasures; The Garden Museum.

The Garden Museum is one of the countries’ leading venues of exhibitions and events on the gardening world.

To step into the tranquil recluse of this converted church is to envisage a trip back in time.  A time when London would have been a very different place indeed.  This ‘pocket’ of London unveils a period garden reminiscent of the 17^th century and pays tribute to legendary plant hunters; the Tradescants.

A small garden it may be, for all those fortunate enough to have visited the museum.  However, do not be fooled by the size, as it packs into it a tremendous amount of horticultural finesse.  For me, as the next Horticultural Intern, the task of looking after these gardens is vast and the pressure is great.

Fear not however, for I am willing to accept the challenge and with my team of volunteers, I am adamant that there is nothing we cannot conquer!  With the knowledge and experience of everyone at the museum we will continue to educate and inspire members of the public that horticulture, gardens and green space play a vital contribution to our physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

I look forward to seeing you all at the museum!

Now, that is enough from me, I have some London Plane tree leaves to rake up

……………again!

Gareth