The Earliest Blooms

September 02, 2025

The Newt (Somerset, England)

After Stourhead , the second garden on the tour that day was "The Newt". Talk about a change in garden styles! As I review my photos, I can appreciate the beauty and style of this garden, but I must confess, it was one of my least favorites. I remember mostly the heat (it was one of our warmer days), the glaring sun with few trees in sight, and the commercial feel of the whole enterprise. But then again, this was mainly a vegetable garden and I was having an "off" day (I had just toured Stourhead, where I missed some of the main landmarks). The entrance took us through an area with gift shops and display areas (nice thing about photos is you see things you missed - I had not noticed the intricate ceiling design) - We did have an actual tour guide at this one, and he led us through the entire garden - Down a winding, blinding white walkway, towards the large vegetable garden - Leaving one vegetable garden, we headed up a grassy avenue with water features. Along th...

Acer palmatum 'Murasaki kiyohime' and Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus)

I love this time of year when the garden looks fresh and unblemished. The plants are tidy (if you've cleaned up, of course) and they stand out individually, unencumbered by their soon encroaching neighbors. Today was another round of cold rain, typical lately on my off-days, but it was beautiful yesterday (Easter Sunday) and we worked in the garden all day.

I've been bringing home loads of bark chips to mulch the beds, so far just one load per week because of the weather. Yesterday we edged the grass walkway as well as the Pan garden in back. I'm hoping to get a major project completed - edging the grass area of the Pan garden with bricks - before our open garden. If the weather continues to be uncooperative, that chore may get delayed.

The grass pathway in front looks so good!

Some blooms from yesterday -

Geum 'Mango Lassi'

Windflower (Anenome blanda)

Anise (Illicium foridanum 'Woodland Red')

Daphne 'Carol Mackie'

Daphne cneorum (Rock Daphne)

Daphne tangutica

Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow' - For years, I've threatened to take this plant out because it looks awful most of the time. However, the first flush of growth is spectacular.