The weather on my first week at Minterne seemed to be returning to winter, with cold nights & north easterly winds, but also thankfully very sunny. 

During my interviews I could see there was an enormous amount of work in the garden tidying, pruning, weeding, but it was not until I had been walking round looking in detail at the garden, that the amount sunk into me, and boy do I love a challenge!! 

There is such a variety of plants and shrubs, I could see when in flower this garden would come alive with colour and fragrance hitting you in all directions, and yet the garden was so peaceful and a pleasure to work in. At the moment the task of tidying ready for opening is under way in earnest, as winters weather had not been very merciful, especially on the paths and streams, but, as with all great gardens, time, patience and hard work produces the goods, and just to hear people’s praising comments on the garden is enough to spur one even more.

At the moment I am waiting for the Pieris and Magnolias to break bud to give an amazing show, which I hope the hard frosts of late have not damaged. The Rhododendrons will certainly be later this year due to the cold weather, maybe 2-3 weeks, but they have budded up well during the winter, so I expect nature to throw in some surprises along the way. 

The snowdrops are certainly a picture at the moment and soon to be followed by the daffodils and Narcissus coming into their best, as this old-fashioned winter, as we know of in days gone by, makes good for spring flowers as pests and diseases are killed or held back. A good sign that spring is truly on the way is to see the flowers of Yew, Oak and Maple buds bursting in profusion to show that the warmer weather is definitely on the way. 

From walking round the gardens a great many ideas flood into my thoughts and also into my dreams at night, to create pockets of high scented plants to walk and sit by. There are so many spots that would produce amazing photos for professionals and amateurs alike. The garden is a real treasure of nature planted with love and gently coaxed into producing an incredible display to be marveled at. 

I hope many of you will come to see this unfolding garden in the coming weeks and months. Thank you for your support, so that the people of now and for generations can marvel at this corner of paradise and serenity. 

Ray