High summer has arrived at Goldstone Hall Hotel and Gardens and with it changes can be seen around the garden.  The ‘Super Trouper’ roses at the front of the hotel continue to provide an eye catching display of vibrant orange blooms which fade to a deep red as the bloom ages.  They are widely acknowledged as one of the best roses for the constancy of their colour.  Indeed, our head chef Evan sometimes crystalises the petals in sugar to use as a garnish.

Summer borders

Along the double herbaceous border there is a new palette of plants coming to the fore just as the early summer favourites are fading into the background.  These include Phlox paniculata cultivars including the pure white ‘Mt Fujii’. Rudbeckias, the North American Black Eyed Susan, have golden ray florets around a dark central cone and make perfect late summer companions for other late summer perennials such as sedum.

Beneath the cherry trees at the bottom of the main lawn the long grass in the wildflower area has been cut back.  This helps to weaken the grass so that other plants can have a fighting chance.  We have planted some perennial flowers into the grass including Valeriana officinalis and will continue to add more to enrich this part of the garden.  If you fancy some exercise why not take a stroll down to Goldstone Meadows and walk along the streamside.

Cutting the yew hedges and topiary is also a task for this month.  August is certainly a time when plants are at their most floppy, exuberant and growth is at its maximum which means that the garden can be crying out for some definition.  The strong shapes of the hedges, topiary help give some structure to the summer garden.  The yew buttress along the herbaceous border makes the perfect foil against which the herbaceous perennials can be seen at their best.

In the cutting garden the sweet peas are reaching the top of their supports. We cut these as often as possible as if the plants are left to go to seed they will stop flowering altogether.  The key is to give them plenty of water to stave off mildew and keep them putting out long stems which are better for displaying in vases.  The dahlias such as ‘Eveline’, ‘David Howard’, ‘Honka Red’, and ‘Crème de Cassis’ are giving their best and regular dead heading will help them keep going until the frosts.

Kitchen Garden 

In the kitchen garden we have begun summer pruning the espaliered fruit trees so that the apples and pears can ripen and the plants can develop fruit bearing growth for next year. All of the gooseberries, red and black currants have finished cropping though the blackberries and late summer raspberries are beginning to ripen.  In the polytunnel the tomatoes, peppers and aubergines are ripening with the extra heat as are the dessert grapes.

Whether it’s a flower, fruit or vegetable all of this fabulous garden produce will find its way to our award winning kitchen and on to your plate to be accompanied by a glass or two of our fantastic wine collection.

Join Us in the Garden 

Whether it is the taste and aroma of great food, fine wine, or the sights, sounds and smells of the English summer garden here in Shropshire, there is always something to delight the senses this season at Goldstone Hall Hotel & Gardens.

We’ve also got a few spaces left on our Taste of  Spice event where you can join Sarah and I on a walk and talk tour, followed by a delicious seasonal and spicy tasting lunch. Click here for more information and to book.

Also, don’t miss our garden updates on our new Youtube channel, see here.

Warm wishes from the Garden Team

A Georgian manor house and restaurant with 12 comfortable bedrooms overlooking the rolling tree-strewn hills of the North Shropshire countryside. Boasting 5 acres of award-winning gardens, including a productive one-acre kitchen garden.

Located in the ‘Golden Garden Triangle’ close to Wollerton Old Hall Garden, Hodnet Hall Gardens & Dorothy Clive Garden.  

A warm welcome awaits you.

Find out more about the hotel and garden opening times here.