Chesham Bois House

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Seasonal Interests

Spring:

In February there is a fine display of snowdrops in the orchard and the hellebores show the garden is waking from the winter. In March (depending on the temperature) the daffodils all over the garden start to come out and some last until late April and at the bottom of the garden there is an ever increasing display of primroses as well as daffodils which peaks in early April. Hellebores also dominate at this time and the muscari (grape hyacinths) give a good blaze of colour in front of the house.

Erythroniums, if not eaten by the muntjac, are lovely and the scent of the azaleas fills the air. A big magnolia soulangeana looks spectacular at this time but tulips can only be grown in pots owing to the muntjac.

Spring into Summer:

A feeling that summer has begun is when pots of various succulents from the glasshouse come out and the copper beeches with their new leaves bring a pinkish glow. The low beds below the house and the gravelled area around the house are at their best at this time

The Gloire de Dijon rose is early flowering. This rose is over 135 years old as seen in a photograph taken in about 1870 but when the front of the house was underpinned in 2000 it had to be removed so was stored in a large sack and was then planted 6 weeks later and to the astonishment of all, survived.

In May the cow’s parsley or Queen Annes Lace dominates the orchard and other areas and changes parts of the garden into a magical place for a few weeks.

Summer:

In late June/early July the garden is at its height. The herbaceous beds are a blaze of colour, there is a good display of alstroemerias and dioramas (Angels fishing rods), succulents on the terrace, the flower pots, the pergola bisecting the 23 small beds which have a variety of vegetables and plants especially the opium poppies all add to the ambiance.

Summer into Autumn:

The michaelmas daisies, many different types of salvias, a lovely flowering tree, the koelreuteria, as well as sedums and the blue of pevorskia and caryopteris livens up the autumn. Now the grasses have started to flower especially those in the meadow providing an allee which is an extension of the rill. Once again the herbaceous borders come into their own

Autumn into Winter:

The garden winds down in October and November although the pink nerines add a cheerful note of colour but it is still enjoyable to walk round as there is still a lot to appreciate if the frosts are late.