June’s Garden Update
The Peonies have arrived!
Of all our borders at Floors Castle Gardens the most loved and most photographed must be our Peony Bed. Despite the poor weather over the past few weeks of May, the peonies have decided that they aren’t going to wait any longer and are beginning to flower now! Unfortunately, the rain has damaged some blooms but with warmer days forecast we expect them to be at their peak glory at the beginning of June onwards, perfect timing for our Private Evening Garden tour with Fizz and Canapes led by our Assistant Head Gardener, Kate McClorey on the 7th of June (Only 2 spots remain on this month’s tour, however we have Evening Tours in July and August that still have availability)
The Irises are also looking gorgeous with Rajah in the central border being admired by all visitors and watch out for Iris ‘Papillon’ in the Tapestry Garden. Artist Cedric Morris, a distinguished plantsman, experimented with the cross pollination of irises to produce new colour combinations. Famous for their offbeat shades many were named with the ‘Benton’ prefix.
We have some Benton Irises in the garden which are well worth seeking out and we hope to expand our collection further:
‘Benton Menace’
This was apparently named after one of Morris’ cats – a particularly troublesome Tom! It has fabulous rich purple falls and plum-coloured standards – incredibly beautiful!
‘Benton Nigel’
Nigel Scott was a close friend and associate of Morris and contributed significantly to the garden at Benton End – Morris’s home. The iris is a sumptuous deep purple with darker violet blue falls and is a fitting memorial to Nigel who tragically died whilst on a plant hunting trip in 1957.
‘Benton Judith’
This variety has particularly lustrous deep purple almost black falls and paler purple standards with silvery markings – named for Judith Wogan a secretary to the Arts League of Service who staged Morris’s first one-man exhibition in 1925.
The Spring Border particularly beautiful just now so do try to see it before it finishes, and our roses and Summer Border take over. Another must see right now are the Wisteria and Rhododendrons both in the Millenium Garden, a real feast for your senses with striking colours and smell!
Take a piece of our Garden home to yours… Our plant tables at the Garden Ticket Kiosk and the Apple Shed are bursting with new additions at very reasonable prices, lots of bargains to be had! A large selection of Annuals, Perennials, Herbaceous, Vegetables and even ready to go beautifully planted vintage terracotta pots, perfect to brighten up any patio or doorway!
Best wishes,
The Floors Castle Gardening Team
