Jo's News and Views No 1 January 2025

Hello Everyone 

I hope you all escaped the wrath of Storm Eowyn this month. Apparently it was the worst storm we've had over the last ten years. Luckily, the garden at Myddelton came through it unscathed and is looking lovely. 

At the very beginning of the month we had several hard frosts so hopefully they've killed off a few of the pesky bugs that annoy us so much in the Spring. I took the opportunity of visiting the garden for some photos so here is a selection for you. A frosted leaf, photo 1. The hedge in the car park, photo 2, with a close up, photo 3. In the Arboretum the Quercus rubra, the Red Oak, had nearly every branch covered in frost, photo 4. Then the roses on Bowling Green Lawn took on an unworldly look as it, too, had every inch covered in frost, photo 5. 

Later in the month I chose a very sunny day for my visit. In the car park the Prunus serrula, or Tibetan cherry, was glowing in the sunlight, photo 6, and the bark of this older tree was certainly impressive, photo 7. I think you can see why it is a favourite ornamental tree for any garden.

On the Tulip Terrace I stopped to marvel at the lengths the gardeners have had to go to keep the squirrels from digging up the tulip bulbs they have planted here, photo 8. I am looking forward to the sight of the blue violas, wallflowers and tulips in the Spring. 

Further along the New River Lawn I stopped to admire the Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane', a Witch Hazel. I know I featured it last month but it is so beautiful I wanted to include it again, photo 9. The flowers are just exquisite, photo 10. On the opposite side of the lawn the Hellebores are flowering, photo 11. Such a beautiful flower. More next month I am sure. 

Walking down to the Rock Garden I stopped to admire the Metasequoia glyptostroboides, the Dawn Redwood, photo 12. I am so glad it has an impressive name to go with its impressive stature. In the Rock Garden the Magnolia stellata was covered in buds, photo 13. This tree will look fabulous when the buds open. I think at this time of year it is always good to find plants that make you look forward to better days. 

On Saturday 25th January the garden hosted the Ultimate Snowdrop Sale. Snowdrop enthusiasts are known as 'Galanthophiles' taken from the name Galanthus or snowdrop. The morning was a great success with 152 people visiting the sale and buying more snowdrops for their collections. The garden has snowdrops everywhere and here a few for you to enjoy, photo 14, 15, 16 and 17. 

So my fauna selection this month is full of drama. In the carpark I spotted a Nuthatch arguing with a Blue Tit over a possible nesting site, photo 18. I have circled the birds in blue so you can pick them out. The Blue Tit is bottom left and the Nuthatch is top right. Next is a Jay that I spotted preening itself in a tree near the pond, photos 19 and 20. Finally a territorial argument in the trees beyond the car park. The Kestrel was sat there quite happily when a Magpie decided to chase it away, photos 21, 22 and 23. There is a Jackdaw sat in the bottom branches taking no notice at all of the drama going on above it's head. 

Well, I hope you have enjoyed my wander around the garden. 

Best wishes 

Jo