The Parsonage Garden Blog - Spring 2025

The seeds are sown, our flower beds have been mulched, the swathes of delicate snowdrops and the cheery clumps of aconites (stalwarts of the winter garden) have given way to an abundance of daffodils. The myriad of tulips we planted last autumn are about to burst into flower: spring is definitely with us and this year has blessed us with sunshine.

The Mahonia, planted behind the bronze statue of the Bronte sisters in the courtyard garden, has been a highlight of the early spring garden with its bright yellow blooms, as are the St Patrick's Day daffodils, which didn't quite come into flower at their allotted time, but are looking wonderful now in their pots flanking the steps at either side of the entrance to the Parsonage. As the daffodils fade, the tulips behind will have their moment in the spotlight before the roses once again become the stars of the garden. 

All these, and many others, are working together along with the Hellebores and Fritillaries to bring an uplifting palette of colour to the pots and borders. The vibrant greens of the fresh new growth, which is beginning to open its leaves, will soon bring forth drifts of perennials, with Alliums and Primulas already poised to put on their splendid show. 

As we look forward to all that spring has in store, we also have the chance to look back at all the work that has taken place over the winter months and we begin to reap the benefits of all that has been achieved. 

There was plenty to keep us busy throughout the cold dark months and, with the new facilities well under way, we began putting together a wish list of all the plants that would fill the new areas created once the building work was complete.

Foremost in our minds was that the area should be set aside for wildlife and that the new planting would encourage this as much as possible.

The sedum roof, which was installed on the new building, is already thriving and should soon be alive with insect activity. Below this, a mixed hedgerow of Hornbeam, Privet, Berberis, Beech and Wild Rose has been planted which will soon become interwoven and provide both shelter and food for wildlife.

The addition of three new native trees: a Downy Birch, a slender tree with peeling white bark, a Tilia,  a small leaved lime and a Hornbeam, along with a row of Rosa Rugosa, will enhance the access path to Parsons Field. The old stone troughs by the gate have also been given a new lease of life with the planting of wild strawberries, Rosemary and other herbs and the area beneath has been filled with branches and twigs and will hopefully soon become home to a variety of insects.

To the front a Crab Apple, Red Glow, Cornus Sibirica ,with its vibrant red stems, Pyracantha Orange Glow, Hydrangea and Buddleia are amongst the new planting with the aim of having something of interest in each season. These will be added to as the months go by with summer perennials and spring bulbs.

Excitingly for the gardeners, our utility area has now been completed by the addition of another compost bay and a new shed/greenhouse which enables us to grow our own seeds on site for the first time. Trays of Cosmos, Marigolds, Nasturtiums and Hollyhocks line the shelves already and will give us a plentiful supply of summer bedding without the need for too many visits to the garden centre.

When the area was cleared to make way for the new shed, as an added bonus, copious amounts of beautiful compost was unearthed beneath the huge pile of dead branches which had accumulated over many years. This has kept us busy mulching all the beds in the garden and we will hopefully be reaping the benefits of this all summer long.

Lastly, we give the warmest of welcomes to Lynda, the newest member of our team, who joined us over the winter months - well maybe not quite the newest member- for the last few weeks we have been joined by  two young cats who seem to be making themselves very much at home amongst the plants!                                          

 The Garden Volunteers