SUMMER AT HOWICK HALL GARDENS
The bulbs in the Wild Flower Meadows on the north and south-east sides of the Hall are over early this year, but the wild flowers will be showing well in June and the long grass will remain uncut to allow them to seed.
In June the early border plants in the Clock Border will be in flower - including some large alliums – and the giant catmint on the top terrace will also be out. In Silverwood, blue Himalayan poppies (Meconopsis napaulensis) will be out.
The Bog Garden - at its best in late June, July, August and September – has been established with many unusual herbaceous plants grown from seed collected in the wild from different parts of the world. Look for Astilbe, Arisaema, Primula, Rheum alexandrae, Rodgersia and Trollius. (The Chinese necklace poplar, Populus lasiocarpa, at the north end has spectacular catkins when in flower in June and July.)
In mid August the agapanthus on the terrace are a special feature, being mainly original plants bred by Lewis Palmer and now widely marketed as the Headbourne hybrids.
FAMILY EXPLORER CHALLENGE - We hope families will enjoy our ‘nature trail challenge’ which leads through the arboretum and poses a number of questions about wildlife and nature. It takes about 2 hours to complete. Look out of red squirrels, herons, swans and ducks!
See details below for the ‘Family Moonlight Walk’ at 8pm on 10th July and our Annual Church Fete will be held at 2pm on Sunday 30th August.
To make sure that none of his children were frightened of the dark, the 2nd Earl Grey made them walk down the ‘Long Walk to the sea in the moonlight at the first full moon after their 10th birthday and bring back to him a flower of ‘Grass of Parnassus’, which only grew in one spot on the dunes.
The event will start at 8pm in the Earl Grey Tea House with a light supper followed, by a ‘storyteller’ who will explain the history of Howick and Earl Grey’s children before taking on the 3 mile round trip walk which will take about 1 – 1.5 hours.
