Some of you may have had the pleasure of visiting Freshwater Court at some point over the past four years, whilst Chris and Hilary Jarman have been renovating the magnificent house and grounds.
Chris tells us that last weekend, along with a team of local volunteers they started planting out Bluebells as part of the renovation of the gardens at Freshwater Court.
There are over 10,000 to plant out so it will take some time, but the plan is to establish a bluebell wood running along Windmill Lane so that it is visible in the spring to walkers and hikers.
The Bluebells are the proper English Bluebells rather than the much poorer Spanish variety that has been taking over in many parts.
The difference is that the English bells ‘hang’ gently and serenely to one side but the Spanish bells are more like horizontal trumpets in all directions.
The English bells retain that wondrous iridescent blue for which Bluebell woods are renown – against the muted dull blue of the Spanish impostors.
All of the Bluebells were raised by my father Cyril Jarman back ‘home’ in Gloucestershire. He has tended them for the past three years from seed collected from the same woodland where I played as a child.
What a lovely touch and well done to all the volunteers who have been waiting for some time to help out!
We’re sure that this Bluebell Wood will look stunning and congratulate Chris and Hilary for their constant efforts to enhance the environment that surrounds them and the local community.
For more information about the English and Spanish Bluebells, Chris points us to this article ran by The Telegraph in March 2003
