APRIL MUSINGS
Seasonal stories and notable happenings from the team behind Ochre Botanical Studios.
Thank you for joining us here!
There’s something about spring that calls us to wander – to walk a little slower, look a little closer and breathe a little deeper. In April, I have been fortunate to have had some time pottering, visiting family and friends and spending a very restorative amount of time outdoors (and often in the sunshine!).
One very special garden I visited to happily wander, was Sissinghurst Castle Garden. I am still carrying the calmness and inspiration it offered, and thought i’d share some of my photos and thoughts from that special day to celebrate the botanically beautiful month of April.
Visiting Sissinghurst Castle Garden was suggested to me by the wonderful Ros from The Natural Dyeworks when I mentioned my visit to Kent. Sissinghurst is in the enchanting Kent countryside and I enjoyed the journey past several Oast houses. We love and get very happy about hops you see.
Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicholson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and began transforming the gardens in the 1930s, nearly a century ago. I wandered the captivating garden rooms once before lunch and again after. I can’t even tell you what I had for lunch that day (and not that you’d necessarily want to know!), but my mind was occupied by the beauty of the surroundings. I didn’t want to leave.
The garden was awake with a kind of quiet beauty: the gentleness of an emerging spring, beautiful light, birdsong and buzzing bees and a soft green glow that comes with new growth. I could feel the energy from other visitors, themselves also lifted, excited and elated with nature.
I loved the differences between the gardens – the combination of the formality and wilder areas. The Orchard was especially dreamy with daffodils naturalised in the long grass and fruit trees swaying and starting to froth with soft blossom. The tower (which I climbed!) ascends majestically, proudly observing the gardens below.
I spent a long time watching; the flowers dancing in the breeze, catching the light as they move and the shadows and silhouettes made, branches swaying back and forth rhythmically, the fritillaries nodding and bobbing excitedly (these were in the garden I believe is called the Nuttery which seemed so thoughtfully nestled and special). It turns out that these movements weren’t so easy to capture, and perhaps my words before might describe, but if not, you have my word that it was all very special.
As well as observing the delicate spring dances of returning familiar faces, I am always on the look out for new varieties that captivate me (I definitely should write these down as I frequently forget) as well as combinations and proportions that appeal, and how things grow and position themselves in relation to one another.
There were so many thoughtful combinations and my mind then wondered about what will come later in the season. There’s a certain kind of magic in those moments – when buds are forming, perennials are well into their stride and the whole season feels full of promise.
Against the tower, there was a rambling rose I was particularly taken with, I can only imagine how beautiful it will be in flower – if anyone fancies a trip to see the roses in bloom, my bag can be packed in a few minutes.
Thank you to the magical garden at Sissinghurst – sometimes it’s the softest palette, the subtlest, most thoughtful combinations, the lovely dancing playful movement and the gentlest scent that linger longest in the heart.
Thank you Ros and Marion for all the suggestions and who knew how much I’d love the colour palettes and the garden. I really did.
Notable Happenings
SCOTLAND’S GARDEN SCHEME, Various Dates and locations
Opening a selection of gardens across Scotland, to wander and observe, and raise money for charity.
BELTANE SEASONAL SANCTUARY, Sunday 4th May, Tyninghame Town Hall
We are delighted to provide flowers for this amazing seasonal yoga and slow living half day retreat in East Lothian with Rosie Steer and Wild Tide Yoga.
SUMMER CLASS – FLOWER, FLOUR: OCHRE X FAT PUMPKIN FARM, Sunday 3rd August, Custom Lane
Join us for a unique and immersive experience on a full day workshop in Edinburgh this August!
SEASONAL BOUQUETS, next delivery date is 9th May
Throughout the main growing season we will have beautiful garden inspired bouquets available for delivery to specified Edinburgh postcodes. These are available to order on our website
Speak again soon...
