• Red peppers and green leaves

    Seed Sowing

    Growing from seed is very rewarding and easy to do. Not only can it save you money, it also gives you the satisfaction of watching your seedlings grow into mature, healthy plants which can hopefully bear you fruit or flowers. We’ve recruited gardener Jude to talk you through how you can grow your own “windowsill

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  • An illustration of an Edwardian christmas tree being set up by a family and maids
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    What did the Nettlefolds do for Christmas?

    Christmas at Winterbourne   Margaret Nettlefold’s household diary provides fascinating insights into middle class life in late-Victorian and early-Edwardian England.  She clearly gave careful thought to Christmas presents and cards, and listed everything in the diary.   For example in 1904, Margaret gave a camera (referred to as a ‘Kodak’) to her husband John, a

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  • Salvia hadspen and melianthus major

    Plant Spotlight: Salvia involucrata ‘Hadspen’

    Plant Spotlight: Salvia involucrata ‘Hadspen’ Tender perennials are not for the faint-hearted. They require plenty of patience, some favourable weather conditions, and more than a little bit of attention in order to achieve their potential. But at this time of year, basking in the September sun, they more than justify the effort, and our new

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  • Stipa gigantea

    Plant Spotlight – Stipa gigantea

    Plant Spotlight: Stipa gigantea Golden oats (Stipa gigantea) is well named. A large evergreen grass up to 2 metres tall, in summer it produces long panicles of arching oat-like flowers that emerge purple before turning golden-brown as the season progresses and the deciduous leaves of other species begin to change colour and fall. They are

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  • Plant Spotlight – Tromboncino Squash

    Our tromboncino squash (Cucurbita moschata ‘Tromboncino’) have been causing a real stir this summer in the Walled Garden and Courtyard area near the Gift Shop. This giant, climbing squash is spectacular at this time of year, producing long trumpet-shaped fruits that can grow up to 1m long (!) if left on the plant to mature.

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