What a record-breaking Summer we’ve had at Carey Secret Garden!

Ironically, I’m writing these notes in the midst of a torrential downpour! What an astonishing summer it’s been!

Here at Carey, we are lucky enough to have our own water supply in the form of a diverted watercourse off the River Piddle, known as ‘North Stream’.

This was excavated in the late 1800s to supply water to the garden of Carey House and also to the walled garden. However, due to the prolonged period of very hot, dry weather, even this supply dried up totally from mid-August, leaving us really struggling to irrigate certain plants.

The fact that some of the garden was substantially mulched in the early spring doubtless saved many of the trees and other plants we have. However, I feel the principal reason we have come through what has been the driest period in this area since 1976 relatively unscathed is simply down to the types of plants we grow here at Carey.

Most are drought tolerant, aromatic plants such as lavenders, salvias, scented pelargoniums and herbs, including a wide variety of rosemary, thyme, savory, oregano and culinary sage. Whilst a few species from each of the groups of plants have struggled in the extreme conditions, the vast majority have fared well. The real stars in the garden that have thrived in these Mediterranean like conditions are the Peach, Almond and Nectarine trees, which have produced multiple fruits. I am also very proud, that after many years of trying, I have finally managed to get several varieties of our ginger lilies to bloom, which are quite magnificent!