Lovely Ladybirds

Today seemed quite a normal day, until lunchtime that is. For the past couple of hours we've been swamped with thousands of ladybirds! They're everywhere - crawling along window frames, nestling into our computer keyboards and flying pretty much everywhere you look.

We think they're harlequin ladybirds, but some have lots of spots, others only just a few. Some are red with black spots, others are black with red spots!

It's taken us all by surprise.

The Great Plant Giveaway

Well it's that time of year again - which is great news for all garden bargain hunters. Our plant sales centre is offering a plant-astic three for the price of two offer on all of its plants (except the ever popular hellebores and newly arrived orchids). To top it off, all packets of seeds are an amazing half price!

So there really is no excuse to get your garden ready for next Spring.

Hurry while stocks last...

Insect Inspiration

Something new is happening in the Old Orchard! The gardeners have been busy making a winter home for beneficial insects like ladybirds. But they need help as it's not quite finished yet.

We need these insects so that next Spring they can help Sarah, the Kitchen Gardener eat all of the bugs that munch through her vegetables.

So if you visit this Autumn and Winter, remember to collect things like twigs, cones, fallen leaves and feathers so that you can add them to our new insect home.

Autumn Glory

Finally, the rain has arrived today. However, the magnificent September weather has resulted in some stunning early Autumn colour. The Wilderness is leading the way with the Euonymus europaeus turning an eye-catching shade of pink. Not to be out done is the yellow Tilia cordata, growing just opposite the Euonymus.

If roses are more your thing, see the beautiful 'Gruss an Achen' while you can in the White Garden. As soon as the bad weather takes hold, they will disappear almost as quickly as they appeared.

It's a Jungle Out There

Last week two very special visitors set up home over in our Plant Sales Centre. The magnificent (almost life-size!) mother and baby giraffe, created by Zimbolic have certainly been causing a bit of a stir amongst visitors since their arrival. Hand crafted in Zimbabwe, the beautiful giraffe sculptures are made from recycled metal oil drums and provide the artists with stable employment and a safe workshop environment.

Other, more conveniently sized sculptures for sale include ducks, hedgehogs, herons and wart hogs! An ideal Christmas present for someone who has everything.

Autumn's Here

It's true. Autumn has officially arrived. The garden team have spent the day securing the glass panels to the front of the tropical planthouse. The panels are essential to protect the tender plants from the threat of winter frosts. The panels will stay in place until all chance of frost has gone - sometime during late Spring 2010!

Don't Miss the Dahlias

As Autumn closes in and with the first frost forecast on Thursday don't miss the stunning display of Dahlias. The Red Border is living up to its name and is looking resplendent in the late summer sunshine.

But be quick. As soon as the frosts arrive, the Dahlias will be gone for another year.