Newsletter August

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Notes from the Flower Farm

Hello lovely Flower Friends

Of course my opening sentence just has to make reference to this ridiculously challenging weather! Personally I love it and we have been waiting decades for this sort of summer, but, and of course there is a big but. With my sensible head on I am becoming increasingly concerned about national water supply, farmers, food growers, fire risk and of course internationally there are very worrying times for those where the parched earth has succumbed to wild fires.

Some of us have enforced hosepipe bans, some of us haven’t, but I believe it is only a matter of time. There are many loopholes to hosepipe bans which I think none of us should actively seek. Mainly out of respect to those who truly need a constant supply; reference food growers again.

Temporary Use Bans include exemptions for newly planted tree saplings, whips and hedging. I think this is worthy of note as the importance of every tree/hedge planted, whether forestry or back garden, cannot be over stated. In my garden, the only place where the grass is not crispy, crunchy and the colour of my daughters sun bleached blond head of hair is the grass under the trees.

August can be a difficult month for flowers, shrubs and trees anyway. Garden centres and plant nurseries often take time out and have staff holidays as footfall can be quiet and many are on holiday. That doesn’t mean plants stop growing or needing attention but generally it is a quieter, more settled time in the garden. Later in the month there is usually a morning when I will step outside and feel a very subtle change in the air. I used to feel the change was a step out of summer but I now feel it as more of a move towards possibly the most beautiful time of year. The biggest changes to our natural surroundings take place during September and October and I relish it and look forward to it.

Kindest wishes

Alison

13th September 2026 -

Annual Open Day Email Correction

Some of you may have received emails, WhatsApp or paper invites. Rather annoyingly I managed to put the incorrect RSVP email address for you to reply to so if you can make it please kindly RSVP below. Having said this if you can pop by, just do. The RSVP is just helpful as a numbers guide.

We have traditionally held our Open Days at the end of July but we thought we would change things up a little this year and showcase the time of year when the Dahlias are in fill swing.

RSVP

Selling Like Hot Cakes in the new ‘Little Shop’.

I have recently opened a small shop in the studio situated at the end of the garden. Gifts, including willow dragonflies and seahorses, dried arrangements and wreaths are all available. Selling very quickly are my hand made flower frogs. I have thoroughly enjoyed making these and will soon be making another ‘batch’ as they have flown off the shelves!

Whats looking good in the Flower Field……

Of course it has to be the Dahlias. I have chosen to continue to water the Dahlia beds as a priority. To be brutally honest they are high value items and by contrast the early and mid summer flowering perennials have panic flowered and now dried to a crisp. I shall leave these to fend for themselves and search for water deep down.

I am feeding the Dahlias every other week and watering thoroughly every 4 days. They are all looking good and looking back at photos of last years flower field at this time they look pretty much the same. So a win so far, lets hope they continue to perform into the autumn. If you are growing Dahlias you may be interested in my twice yearly Dahlia Masterclass

Dahlia Masterclass 11th October 2026

11th October 2026

1pm until 3pm

This masterclass is part of a two part series of workshops. A spring in-depth look at Dahlia tubers, cuttings and all things growing, propagation and care. An Autumn overview of the mature plant, plant care, maintenance and winter husbandry. Both workshops have generous floral take home elements.

These are hands-on, practical sessions where the Grower will chat through the joys of Dahlia growing with hints and tips along the way.

All materials and equipment will be provided together with refreshments.

£47.50

learn more

A moment with a tree…

Trees are best chosen throughout the Summer and planted when all the leaves are off, usually the end October beginning of November. So now is the best time to look around and choose that tree.

Next time you visit us look out for one of our favourites in our garden. Catalpa bignonoides Aurea, or the Indian bean tree. The green of the usual Catalpa bignonoides is less remarkable however the ‘Aurea’ has these brighter golden leaves. ‘Aurea’ is an adjective of Latin origin meaning ‘golden’, ‘gilded’ or ‘shining’.

Indian Bean Trees are one of the last trees to come into leaf in the spring. I can often have a garden full of burgeoning spring growth with the Catalpa sitting naked well into May and not in full leaf until mid June. We panic every year thinking its not well as all the other trees seem to be flourishing.

Panicles of white flowers will appear in mid to late summer followed by long green seed pods which turn dark brown and can remain suspended from the branches right through a mild winter.

Their huge leaves do remain until the first frosts and if there is an especially hard frost they will just drop their leaves in one night without any autumnal colour change at all.

In September I will be giving a Tree Talk. September is the perfect time of year to choose a tree (for planting in November) that will become part of your garden for years to come. We'll discuss choosing the right tree for your garden, considering size, shape, seasonal interest, wildlife value and soil conditions. If you are interested in attending click to learn more.

Tree Talk Info

Thank you for reading

As this hot season continues, I hope you find time to pause, notice a plant that is putting every effort into producing a flower and marvel at natures resilience. Rain will come. When, I don’t know, but it will.