Mid November

Grasses by the ponds

 A beautiful November day in the Garden.

The last of the autumn colour glowing in the sunlight.  The Taxodiums are almost red this year and some of the Nyssas are very late to colour.


A yellow Nyssa with a young Taxodium



Nyssas in the foreground and larch behind

Autumn Colour

Nyssa Sylvatica and pampas grass

Acer Palmatum

A taste of Autmn colour at High Beeches.

Centre Pond

The Fothergillas and Disanthus are looking very good this year.

Reflections and shadows

 Reflections in the ponds and shadows cast by the Autumn sun.

Every day the Autumn colour gets better at High Beeches.  It looks like being an exceptional year

Taxodium distichum and a Juniper frame

 a Nyssa

Early October

Cyclamen hederifolium

Symplocos paniculata

Just a sample of what there is to see at High Beeches this October.

Over the next few weeks the garden will have some of the best autumn colour in the south east provided by, to name a few, Liquidambers, Acers, Nyssas, Fothergillas and Parrotias.

There will be a photography workshop on 18th October run by Park Cameras and a Gift Fair in aid of Parkinsons' UK, Horsham Branch on Sunday 21st October

Betula lenta

Grasses at High Beeches

Miscanthus sinensis Malepertus

Miscanthus sinensis Zebrinus

Stipa gigantea (Golden Oat)

Just some of the grasses looking their best at High Beeches.  All are planted as specimen plants for accent and height and are fairly rabbit proof when established.

Heavy Horses

Monty and Dylan

On Sunday 12th August two horses from the
Working Horse Trust will be at High Beeches.

Monty aged 17 and Dylan aged 15 are half-brothers and each weighs as much as a small car.  Both are Ardennes and are roan, Monty is a red roan and Dylan a strawberry roan.  They are the most experienced pair that the Trust has and they have done everything from field work to cross-country driving.



Monty and Dylan Harrowing



The Ardennes is one of the most ancient draught breeds in the world and it is believed to be the

 founding stock for many working horse breeds. 

They first arrived in the UK with the Roman legions

 and later with the Norman invaders.



Stewartias at High Beeches



Stewarta rostrata

Stewartia rostrata seed capsules

High Beeches Garden has the National Collection of Stewartias

Stewartia (Stuartia) Theaceae are a small genus of ornamental shrubs and trees.  They require a semi-shaded position, lime free soil and are particularly suited to woodland conditions.

All have white, camellia like flowers which are produced throughout July and August

Stewartia sinensisf.

Reptiles at High Beeches

Two common lizards, Lacerta vivipara

A common Toad, Bufo bufo

The reptiles are enjoying the wet weather.  There are hundreds of frogs as well as toads, lizards and slow worms.

I have also found a glow worm, Lampyris noctiluca and hope to find more.

What is this?  A newt?

Wildflower Meadow

The Meadow just gets better and better.

Dominic Prince from Plant life and
Arthur Hoare, County Recorder for the Botanical Society of the British Isles led walks yesterday to study the wildflowers in the meadow and the garden at High Beeches.

The stage is being set for The Seed this weekend at High Beeches.  For further information go to www.goatandmonkey.co.uk

Wild Flower Meadow 2

The Wild Flower Meadow at High Beeches is looking beautiful.  A carpet of Leucanthemum vulgare (Oxeye Daisy) Ranunculus repens (Creeping Buttercup),  Rhinanthus minor agg.  (Yellow Rattle), Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Common Spotted-orchid), Veronica chamaedrys (Germander Speedwell) and Listera ovata (Common Twayblade to name a few.

The Wildflower Meadow is one of the best in the South East of England.  It is completely natural, has not been ploughed in living memory and has had nothing added to it.  It is a very rare example of a hay meadow, which many people are attempting to recreate.

On Sunday 17th June a botanist from Plantlife will be at High Beeches to take guided walks.

Shadows on the Meadow 1

Following the hot weather, the finest acid wildflower meadow in the South East is just coming into flower at High Beeches.

The evening sun cast shadows.

Follow this blog to see the meadow change over the next few weeks.

A Beautiful Tree



Fagus sylvatica heterophylla Aspenifolia

This has to be one of the most beautiful trees in the UK. Planted by Col Giles Loder in the early part of the 20th century, a survivor of the storm of 1987.  Also known as 'Fern leaved Beech' or 'Cut leaved Beech' it is one of the most effective of large ornamental trees.   At this time of year its young foliage glows in the sunlight.  It is one of many rare trees that make up the collection at High Beeches.

Bluebell Time



Blue Camassias, Prunus serrula and bluebells

Prunus serrula is mainly grown for its beautiful polished red-brown bark.  It was introduced to this

country by E.H Wilson from Western China in 1908.  Camassias (  Quamash or Wild Hyacinths)

 are perennials native to the Western United States.

Rhododendron campylocarpum and bluebells

The glades at High Beeches are thickly carpeted with  bluebells contrasting beautifully with yellow Rhododenrons and primroses.

The garden is open from 11 am on Bank Holiday Monday.

Birds of Prey at High Beeches

Colin of Breck Falconry Breck Falconry brought four of his birds to High Beeches for a display on the wild flower meadow and Hawk walks in the garden.

Beaumont, a Harris Hawk, enjoys his walks in the garden and Basil. a Peregrine Falcon gives a stunning display of speed.

Colin will back for a further display on Saturday 9th June.

Falconry

A first for High Beeches

on Saturday 21st April Colin Boorman is bringing his birds of prey for a display on the meadow.

This is a chance to see these beautiful birds in action and for £5.00 per person Colin will take Hawk walks around the garden (to be booked in advance).

www.breckfalconry.com

I found the first cowslip in the wildflower meadow today.  The Green winged orchid, Anacamptis morio will be flowering soon.

The garden is full of primroses, violets, anemones, and other wildflowers.  The bluebells are also coming into flower.

Magnolia sargentiana robusta

Mahonia Japonica

Chinese ornamental evergreen shrub with pinnate leaves and clusters of fragrant yellow flowers.  Cultivated in Japan.