It’s been a busy period in Uppark garden since Christmas.
We’ve been clearing up after the festive events, hedge-laying in the upper car park, doing the groundwork for a new (second-hand) glasshouse, cutting back, pruning shrubs, generally tidying up the gardens and preparing for the coming year.
Above: The next phase of hedge-laying around the visitor car park was completed just before Christmas.
Below: Gardener Jenny on the mini-digger, excavating in preparation for the glasshouse base.
Subsequently, little time has been spent appreciating the garden in its winter setting.
So, I thought it was about time to go and have a look to see what’s on the move in the gardens at Uppark.
Above: Snowdrops (Galanthus sp.) and the pale yellow winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) are beginning to emerge near the scented garden
Above: Christmas box (Sarcoccoca hookeriana var. digyna) and snow on laurustinus or laurestine (Viburnum tinus)
The Snowdrops (Galanthus sp.) are about in abundance. Christmas box (Sarcococa confusa and Sarcoccoca hookeriana var. digyna) are doing well and I think benefiting from a lack of heavy snow. The Viburnum tinus is putting on a good show despite the recent snowfall and as always the winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) are providing patches of bright colour amongst the remnants of the autumn fall.
You may have already seen in the media coverage relating to flowering of plants indicating an early start to spring. At Uppark the cold cloak of winter persists and there are few plants ready to emerge.
Soon it will be Valentine’s day and spring will not be far away and it’s this time of year that the National Trust carries out a flower count at some of its gardens to give an idea of what the season is like this year. So look out for further observations on National Trust gardens in winter.
In the eighteenth century, Valentine’s Day evolved into an occasion in which couples expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers. I’m sure the availability of flowers at this time was not as good as it is today and so it must have been a labour of love to search and find flowers in the middle of February.
Snow has finally come to Uppark and given the place a different look. Here are a few photos taken recently.
More Uppark winter photographs can be found in Uppark In the Snow
Volunteer recruitment days at Uppark
From 7 March this year Uppark will be open 7 days every week (363 days per year) so we’ll have more opportunities for you to visit and get involved.
If you’re interested in joining the volunteer team here we have many roles on offer with two drop-in volunteer recruitment days on 20 February and 24 March between 10am-12.00pm in the Orangery café in the East Pavilion at Uppark.
Contact Uppark for more information on 01730 825415 (option 2) or email uppark@nationaltrust.org.uk
Uppark Garden 