Gardens Blogs

Autumn Garden Blog by Head Gardener, Claire Greenslade

Oct 30th, 2024

Claire shares how she's learned to embrace the romance of autumn, appreciating the final burst of colour and the beauty in decay as she prepares the garden for the colder months.

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May Garden Update from Head Gardener Claire

May 31st, 2024

An update from Claire Greenslade on slug invasions, landscape resilience and efforts to enhance sustainability and maintain the garden's unique charm.

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The 2024 Young Horticulturist of the Year Grand Finalist Line Up is here!

Apr 19th, 2024

After a well fought round of Regional Finals across the UK and Ireland, the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and Young Horticulturist of the Year are pleased to announce the Grand Finalists for 2024.

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Cedar Tree Update

Jan 18th, 2024

An update regarding the cedar tree on the east side of the daisy steps at Hestercombe.

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Managing the winter blues with plants

Oct 30th, 2023

Our Head Gardener, Claire Greenslade, explains how to manage the winter blues with plants.

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Winter update from our Head Gardener

Feb 21st, 2023

Our Head Gardener, Claire Greenslade, provides an update on what our hardworking team of gardeners have been up to at Hestercombe over the winter months.

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Head Gardener Blog - New Year Tasks in the Garden

Dec 21st, 2022

Our Head Gardener, Claire Greenslade, discusses the gardening jobs that can be started in the new year.

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Head Gardener Blog - Snowdrops

Nov 30th, 2022

Head Gardener, Claire Greenslade, on Snowdrops, the impressive display that we have at Rook Wood from late December to March, as well as the history and some fun facts surrounding the plant.

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Planting for Drought Tolerance

Aug 19th, 2022

Head Gardener, Claire Greenslade, on how we can adjust our garden planting to better suit long, dry spells

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Preserving Water at Hestercombe

Jul 22nd, 2022

Head Gardener, Claire Greenslade, shares tips on how we’re saving water at Hestercombe

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How Hestercombe is trying to save the British ash tree

Feb 7th, 2022

Head Gardener, Claire Greenslade, explains how Hestercombe is fighting ash dieback and trying to protect the future of our woodlands

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Love - it doesn't have to cost the earth

Feb 7th, 2022

Head Gardener Claire explains why buying British grown or sustainable flowers is the best way to show love this Valentine's Day

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Hestercombe's Head Gardener on how we're protecting our beloved 'leaning tree'

Jan 31st, 2022

Hear more from Claire Greenslade on the recent checks carried out on Hestercombe's Cedar of Lebanon

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Tree's not a Crowd: National Tree Week

Dec 2nd, 2021

National Tree Week is the perfect time for celebrating trees. Did you know that our sweet chestnut on Hestercombe's Orangery Lawn is over 500 years old?!

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Autumn is on its way at Hestercombe

Sep 2nd, 2021

Get outside this season, breathe in the fresh air and watch Hestercombe gardens come alive with the rich colours of autumn.

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Hestercombe's Craft Callout

Aug 19th, 2021

Are you a creative looking for your next opportunity?

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Auction of Mushroom Magic Trail Toadstools

Jul 29th, 2021

A number of beautiful hand-painted, solid wood carved toadstools are to be auctioned as part of The Mushroom Magic Trail

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No Mow May

May 10th, 2021

No Mow May ~ can you resist your mower for one month to help insect life in the UK?! Head Gardener Claire Greenslade sets you a challenge...

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How to Encourage Wildlife into your Garden

Apr 27th, 2021

We love to see wildlife activity in our gardens but how can we encourage and support them? Head Gardener Claire Greenslade explains.

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Bluebells at Gotton Copse

Apr 23rd, 2021

In 2005, Hestercombe Gardens Trust took ownership of Gotton Copse, a patch of woodland roughly 9 acres in size, but it was several years later that we started to restore the area ~ and found swathes of glorious bluebells!

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Irises on the East Rill Borders

Mar 31st, 2021

A 2004 project successfully replanted a unique variety of historic irises on the East Rill borders in Hestercombe's formal gardens ~ and many of them will be sold in the Plant Centre

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How to Sow Seeds: a step-by-step guide

Mar 4th, 2021

Head Gardener Claire Greenslade shares her step-by-step guide on how to sow seeds, from preparing seed trays to hardening off

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Lutyens Trust America features Hestercombe's Head Gardener

Feb 26th, 2021

Head Gardener Claire Greenslade appeared as a panellist in the Lutyens Trust America's webinar, 'Gertrude Jekyll and the Garden at Upton Grey'

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Sponsor a Bird Box

Feb 9th, 2021

For only £20, sponsor one of 60 bird boxes at Hestercombe, and help provide a safe, cosy home for a family of little birds! A lovely little nature-inspired gift for young family members.

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Get involved with the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

Jan 21st, 2021

From 29th - 31st January is the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch in 2021. It's free to join in - all you need to do is sit and watch birds in your garden or favourite outdoor space for an hour, and note down all the different types of bird that you see.

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How to Plant a Tree

Jan 15th, 2021

Hestercombe Head Gardener Claire Greenslade provides a handy set of guidance for why, when and how to plant a tree.

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Green Ideas for the Garden

Jan 15th, 2021

Head Gardener Claire Greenslade explores the concept of re-using old bicycle inner tubes to help new trees grow, and reduce plastic in the garden

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How to Prune Apples and Pears

Jan 15th, 2021

Step by step advice from Hestercombe's Head Gardener Claire Greenslade on the do's and don't's of pruning apples and pears

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Composting: how we compost

Dec 5th, 2020

Out in the gardens, our gardeners have been making the most of wet days by turning the compost heaps. Head Gardener Claire Greenslade tells us more!

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Putting the Gardens to Bed for the Winter

Nov 19th, 2020

November signals a busy time for our gardeners who have to prepare the gardens for the chilly winter months ahead. Head Gardener Claire Greenslade explains what this involves.

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Autumn Arrivals – What to Spot this October at Hestercombe

Sep 30th, 2020

Now that summer is behind us, the cold-loving flowers and shrubs of October have started to bloom, bringing new colours and points of interest to the gardens.

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Gardener Blogs: Starting New Flower Beds

Sep 14th, 2020

Have you ever been scared to start a project in the garden because of the enormity of it? It happens to all of us, especially when deciding on the size of the flower beds.

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What's Looking Good in the Gardens: The Glorious Great Plat

Aug 15th, 2019

Feast your eyes on the riot of colour that is the Great Plat in Hestercombe's formal garden

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Wonderful Wildflowers

Jul 11th, 2019

At this time of year our beautiful wildflower meadow is a haze of flowers with the hum of bees and the fluttering of…

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Buzzing About Our New Bees

Jun 19th, 2019

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Behind the Pergola: what's looking good in the gardens

Jun 18th, 2019

Find out what's looking good in the gardens this June at Hestercombe - we explore the varieties found behind Lutyens' pergola.

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How We Make Charcoal

Jun 18th, 2019

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Looking After Our Feathered Friends

Apr 17th, 2019

For the keen twitcher, the amateur bird watcher or the casual observer of our feathered friends, we’ve the perfect setting at Hestercombe to get a view of some of Britain’s favourite garden birds.

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Wild Daffodils at Hestercombe

Mar 11th, 2019

Daffodils (in Latin, Narcissus pseudonarcissus) springing up signal the arrival of spring and have been the muse for many artists and poets including the famous poem by William Wordsworth, who had a home in Somerset.

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Celebrating International Women’s Day at Hestercombe

Mar 8th, 2019

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How to plant Snowdrops

Jan 28th, 2019

The snowdrop brings a cheerful reminder that spring is on its way ~ Hestercombe’s Head Gardener Claire Greenslade explains how and when to plant them.

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Enjoying Dog Walks in Somerset

Jan 21st, 2019 Gardens

Why Visit Winter Gardens?

Dec 21st, 2018

When it's cold outside and the days are short, it can be all too tempting to hunker down, cosy up and stay indoors.…

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Winter Gardening Ideas

Nov 8th, 2018

Winter Gardening Ideas: How To Look After Your Garden As the chilly nights draw-in make sure you follow…

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Autumn Gardening: top tips

Oct 1st, 2018

Head Gardener, Claire Greenslade gives some top tips on autumn gardening. Now autumn…

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5 Ways You Can Try Wildlife Gardening at Home

Aug 15th, 2018

There’s little better than a butterfly fluttering past, a bee buzzing by or a dragonfly darting through when you’re…

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Why do we make charcoal at Hestercombe?

Jul 20th, 2018

If you wander up to the far reaches of the Landscape Garden here at Hestercombe, you’ll stumble upon our kiln. It’s…

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3 Plastic-free Gardening Tips to Try Today

Jun 30th, 2018

As horticulturalists, plastic has historically been a huge part of our gardening efforts. Just think of all the seed trays, plant pots and plastic watering cans we get through, even in a small garden!

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Get your garden summer ready...

Apr 30th, 2018

Make the most of National Gardening Week

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Bat Research

Jan 1st, 2018

Interesting facts about some of Hestercombe's regular visitors.

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