July 2010

The churchyard at nearby St Bart's buzzes drowsily with insects. Rank and wispy grasses sprout casually from cracks and crevices between cheek by jowl epitaphs. Encrusted with scaly lichen and baked in the July sun, these ancient testimonials have become increasingly difficult to read. The profound purpose of each solemn text is undone by the centuries, as forgetful limestone tablets crumble and spall in this quiet corner for reflection. Its occupants are gone and this place really does know them no more.

Like some giant beacon, the imposing church spire glows against its brilliant cerulean back-drop. The prophetic gesture it makes is not lost, and this historic building stands resolute on the edge of Corsham Park.

The cool, peaceful sanctuary of St Bartholomew's is immediately apparent on entering within. Sunlight is filtered through stained leaded lights, resplendent with vibrant colours of scenes from the Bible. It is projected across a complement of polished pews and falls upon the purposeful masonry of a stout pillar. Perhaps, however, it is the stunning spectre of an arrangement of seasonal flowers that steals the limelight in this theatre of ceremony and sacred ritual. The resident odour of bees' wax mingles with the perfume of lilies and delicate white rose buds in an altar adornment framed with frothy gypsophila. For generations, Corsham people have plundered their gardens in beautifying the church that has witnessed their christenings, weddings and funerals. The gravity of this place is tangible.

July's flowers are diverse in colour and form. Sprays of verbena are delicate and appear as a deep purple haze that ebbs and flows in the breeze. Dahlias come in all shapes and sizes, although perennial favourites, like the Bishop of Llandaff, are often reserved for "hot" borders where reds and oranges are keenly sought. By contrast, some hydrangeas are delicate (see lace cap pictured above), as are the eternal folds of pale English roses. Such variety provides the gardener with considerable scope in devising any particular scheme of choice. However, a fait accompli is occasionally encountered in areas such as the former Rose Garden at Corsham Court. Every credit is due to Duncan Armstrong and the other gardeners there for maintaining colourful perennial borders between the neatly clipped box hedges, whilst the soil was allowed to recover from "rose sickness". However, the return of roses to this quarter (as reported last month) is welcomed, and that elusive romantic theme will prevail once more.

Late last month, the gardeners at Corsham Court began the task of ridding the iris bed (opposite the Bath House) of ground elder that had crept out from under the established shrubs and mingled with the bearded iris growing at the front of the bed. The best of the rhizomes were saved, only the newest sections being retained with a good fan of leaves attached. These have been planted out in a sunny position to grow on. They will only be replanted at a later date, after being carefully checked for weed roots and having had their leaves reduced by about two-thirds to prevent wind rock. The cleared iris bed has since been mulched and planted with annuals to provide an attractive display until autumn, when any remaining ground elder will be treated with glyphosate.

In the orchard, another job that will be tackled this month concerns the thinning of fruit on the apple and pear trees. The trees have their own thinning procedure known as "June drop" whereby they shed many of the nascent apples. This should be taken further so that there remain only two or three fruits in each cluster. This allows light and air to each fruit, which reduces the risk of disease, allows more even ripening and produces larger apples and pears.

The North Avenue Field has already been mown, and will now be grazed over by this year's lambs. Mowing is normally deferred until late July or even August so that any wild flowers have ample time to set seed. In order to hasten the development of the area as a wild flower meadow, green hay will be brought in from an approved source for feeding to the flock at pasture. The hay has been taken from herb-rich grassland on a local farm with similarly calcareous soils. As the sheep consume the hay, it will release its seed onto the closely cropped/grazed sward. Tiny hoofs poach the ground and bury the seed that will hopefully germinate, leading to the proliferation of our native lime-loving wild flowers thoughout the North Avenue.

This is the 55th edition of the Garden Diary and we would be pleased to receive any comments, queries or observations. Posting a monthly missive into cyberspace is a "hit and miss affair" and we truly would be pleased to hear from anybody with suggestions, views or whatever. You can click here to send an email.

Parking in Church Square, Corsham is reserved strictly for those visiting Corsham Court or attending St Bartholomew's church and churchyard. Such is the popularity of nearby Corsham Park that too frequently visitors to the Court have experienced difficulty in parking in the Estate-owned square that has always served principally as a facility for house and garden entrants. Corsham Park has become popular with folk far and wide and most will drive there. To accommodate their vehicles, a new car park (with 1.90m height restriction) has been provided in Lacock Road. There are spaces sufficient for up to 55 cars and direct access to the Park via a new permissive footpath through the Park wall and narrow belt of woodland immediately behind. This facility is offered free of charge and has been provided at the sole expense of the Corsham Estate.

(Thanks to Christine Waltho (Editor), Duncan Armstrong (Head Gardener) and Christopher Couzens (Photographer) who assisted in the compilation of this month's diary.)