Cherry Blossom Season at The Alnwick Garden remains one of the most highly anticipated sights of Spring. Gaining global coverage each year, the moment all 326 Taihaku burst into bloom, visitors from all over the country flock to our gates to make the most of the blossom’s transient nature.
Despite the blossom’s fleeting appearance acting as part of its magic, each year we can’t help but wish that it lasted just that little bit longer. Enter our Maker of the Month: Tom who, for the second year running, has created a unique Alnwick Garden blend using carefully harvested blossom petals directly sourced and handpicked from our Orchard.
Spilling all the tea, Alnwick Garden Sencha is now available from our Pinery Gift Shop and we have an exclusive insight into the fascinating process of tea making from picking to pot!
What is the origin of your business?
I started Estate Tea in 2015, on the day
that I graduated from university in Newcastle. At the time, there wasn’t much
in terms of a tea culture in the North East, so it was a big leap of faith. We
wanted to bring a little bit of that speciality tea culture into the region. It
became clear that if we were to succeed, we needed to be a very specialist tea
merchants; focusing on sourcing classic teas, single origin varietals and in
house blending – not the passing trends that you find on supermarket shelves!
How has your business evolved?
We decided to open our first tiny shop in the little known arches next to Gateshead’s High Level Bridge. We ran this for around a year and a half, with our customer base of tea enthusiasts steadily growing. Unfortunately in 2020, the covid pandemic hit and we had to close our store.
This was a bit of a do-or-die moment for us. We knew that we needed to upscale our shop to accommodate for social distancing in the future, so we took this opportunity to move our shop and production facility to Heaton in Newcastle. This new shop and production is 5 times the size of our previous one, giving us lots of space to grow.
Who is involved behind the scenes?
We have a team of 5 people, who help to run our teahouse, shop, ceramic
studio and wholesale department (where we supply to other cafes and
restaurants). Our tea is made up of a really eclectic mix of people – all with
different skills and backgrounds. I consider myself very lucky to work with
this group of people.
What do you hope to achieve with your business and customers?
My
personal aim for my business is to bring a standard of tea to the North East of
England that hasn’t been readily available in the past. It’s also to educate
people about the culture and ceremony surround speciality tea, that is often
lost in modern day society.
Are your products sustainable?
All of our products are sustainably packaged. We use reusable and recyclable aluminium caddies to package our teas. The plastic pouches inside the caddies are also not actually made of plastic! They’re made of a plant based biodegradable material which breaks down in as little as 12 weeks! This means that over the last 3 years we’ve saved over 30,000 pieces of plastic from landfill.
For the perfect way to comemorate Blossom Season and to take a unique part of The Alnwick Garden home with you, head to our Pinery Gift Shop to pick up your limited edition tin of Alnwick Garden Sencha while stocks last.
For more tea tasting and testing, you can visit Estate Tea Co at their delightful shop in Heaton and keep up to date with them here.
Nuzzled beside other poisonous plants and toxic shrubs, The Giant Hogweed takes up a prized position in our Poison Garden as one of the most commonly found, yet highly dangerous weeds. Although we are only able to maintain one Hogweed plant, somehow three had taken root within our Garden which required urgent maintenance. Fully suited and booted, we sent in our trusty Senior Gardeners to tackle the recent infestation all whilst ensuring their safety.
Giant Hogweed or Heracleum Mantegazzianum is an expansive,
hazardous plant that can cause serious damage, particularly to those who are unaware
of its unpleasant properties.
Harbouring harsh chemicals within its sap, Hogweed can be
responsible for some gruesome injuries if it comes into close contact with skin.
Initiating photodermatitis, the chemicals can leave skin incredibly
sensitive to sunlight, resulting in severe burns, blistering and intense
scarring.
With a spectacular ability to spread everywhere it shouldn’t be, Giant Hogweed can grow within the most surprising of conditions and rather quickly due to the wind dispersing its seeds. There is no confirmed rules or regulations regarding the elimination of Hogweed within public spaces, although most farmers and gardeners strive for their land to be free of its risks.
You may notice that there are a generous number of warnings around this time of year about Hogweed’s potential danger, particularly concerning children and their general awareness of the plant. Here are some of the ways to keep safe and avoid getting caught in a blistering blur.
Know your plant:
Hogweed bares a strong resemblance to Cow Parsley and takes up a vast amount of room when grown to full size. Having a thick, strong stem and a flowering head, Giant Hogweed can be further identified by the striking purple sap that can be seen staining the root.
Do not touch:
If spotted, avoid close contact at all costs and if you should accidentally brush by it, wash the affected area quickly and thoroughly.
What if I see it in my garden?
There is no rule to eliminate Hogweed from your garden or
allotment but many like to be ridded of the precarious plant. If you decide to
tackle from the root, make sure to wear gloves and plenty of exterior protection.
Our Senior Gardeners were fully protected and were still incredibly careful whilst handling the remaining of the Hogweed. To learn more about poisonous plants and where to find them, head beyond The Poison Garden gates if you dare…
Our Gardeners were were safe and in good hands at all times, to learn more about the weird and wonderful tasks they often undertake click here
From all angles, the Grand Cascade offers a breath-taking sight and with 20 years and counting, it has remained utterly timeless throughout the decades.
The first thing to greet you on your Alnwick Garden adventure and arguably one the most iconic features within our 45 acres, the Grand Cascade was one of the original features of the garden. Officially opening in 2001, a wealth of guests have since been dazzled by its beauty or soaked by the catapulting water jets.
Described as the Central Spine of the garden, Belgian
designer Jacques Wirtz’s garden design has made an unmistakable impression on
the surrounding atmosphere. A stunning example of how the garden’s vast history
has perfectly blended with various contemporary elements.
Architecturally, the Grand Cascade takes advantage of the
natural landscape that was left in a damaged and desolate state for more 40
years. Uprooting the original site and transforming it into something that
would captivate visitors and garden lovers for years to come.
For two decades, our guests have been dazzled and delighted by the water’s choreographed displays where 120 jets create a volcanic eruption every hour, creating a
cacophony of sound that whooshes through the garden. A colossal 250,000 gallons of water circulate through the system and is all controlled by just two members of The Alnwick Garden team. Helping to assist the magic of the Cascade, Allan and Gordon, our handy maintenance men, work hard below the scene’s way down in the Pump Room to ensure a stunning display every time.
There is no doubt that the Grand Cascade is wedged between photos in hundreds of family albums, as the mammoth fountain as it has diligently served as both the focal point and backdrop to thousands of photographs across the years.
Delighting children who speed past the jets screeching with
joy as they get drenched, providing the all-important backdrop to proposals, weddings,
and family photos. The memories linked to this spectacular piece of water sculpture
are immeasurable.
Consistently challenging what an English Garden can be, the
Grand Cascade was the first instalment and undeniably the catalyst to the Alnwick
Garden adventure, that so many have been able to enjoy across the years.
To share your memories, head to our 20 Years of You page and upload your images.
As part of our Maker of the Month Series, we will be celebrating independent and North-East based suppliers of our Pinery Gift Shop. Supporting small and shopping local is what we do best and we want to shine a light on the makers behind the magic.
The bright June sunshine does an exceptional job of reminding all of us to take better care of our skin and as Father’s Day fast approaches, Chris O’Grady is on a one-man mission to encourage a natural approach to skin-care. Carefully blended and lovingly packaged, Chris’ unique range of products make for the perfect gift.
Chris’ business adventure is rooted in a personal discovery after examining an alternate, more holistic route to skincare. Propelling him around the world on a dermatological voyage, Good Day Organics eventually came to be what it is today.
“When I was 18 and suffering with bad acne I tried a ‘crazy’ alternative to the mainstream treatments called organic jojoba oil, within 2 weeks my acne had cleared up and my skin felt amazing. That was the start of the journey which 14 years later, after 12 months working for an organic manufacturer in Melbourne and 6 months research across America led me to set up Good Day Organics Ltd in early 2014, with the intention of putting years of experience and worldwide research of organically sourced skincare ingredients to use.”
Taking an organic approach, Chris provides a ‘back to basics’ method of grooming as all of his products are natural, plant-based and designed with sensitive skin in mind. Breaking away from the mainstream, the alternative route has led to a successful small business with incredible results.
‘I started selling the Mount Purious Skincare range at Tynemouth market in 2014, and quickly added the mens range in 2015 when I moved over to the Quayside Market. The Pet Care Range and Gardeners Ranges followed in 2017. Although my days of standing at cold markets are over, I’m continuously adding new products to the ranges’
Behind every product is a story and by shopping local and supporting independent, we can allow that story to continue. In his Maker’s Message Chris writes:
From the very start it has been very important to me to provide the very best products, in the most ethical and eco-friendly way, to the highest standards. To ensure my customers that every product I sell, has been lovingly hand formulated, using the very best ingredients, everything in my premium ranges is handmade in small batches in Co Durham, from Organic, Cruelty free and Plant based ingredients.
Whether it is for a friend, family member or a self-care treat, Chris’ products make an exquisite addition to anyone’s grooming routine. For more information you can visit his website here
Good Day Organic’s can be found in our Pinery Gift Shop located at The Alnwick Garden and will be on display for the entire month of June. You don’t need Garden Entry to access our shop or plant centre so make sure to pop in!
As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, it is
wonderful to see wildlife spring back into action. From watching the bees buzz
hard at work, to the simple joy of witnessing a butterfly gently land on its
chosen flower, the world around us is always waiting to be appreciated.
That is why the month of May draws focus on what we can do as gardeners or as wildlife enthusiasts, to promote all the living things that make our environment a better place to be!
‘No Mow May’ suggests that you leave your lawn untouched for a whole month and let it go back to its wild roots. By doing so, plenty of creatures and crawlies have a wider space to flourish in their green surroundings and promote a healthier, more diverse eco-system and all within your own garden!
The Alnwick Garden actively protects the wildlife that make a home within our walls, and we have various nest boxes, insect hotels and habitat piles on-site. But if you are looking for an easy way to make a big impact, ‘No Mow May’ might just be the perfect answer.
To learn more about how to get involved, you can visit Plant Life’s handy guidehere
Or you can follow our journey of effective sustainability by looking at our Environmental Impact here
Nestled between our Plant Centre and Pavilion, the Pinery Gift Shop boasts spectacular displays that celebrates all corners of The Alnwick Garden. Championing independent, local artists and products, today we are shining a light on our ‘Maker of the Month’ and exploring the work of Craig Ellis.
Four years ago, whilst working as a teacher, Craig was set a ludicrous challenge by the school librarian to create something out one of the books. Much to the amazement of his colleagues, Craig returned with a paper-crafted masterpiece launching him into a serendipitous business adventure! Quitting their jobs in education, Craig and his wife uprooted their lives in 2018 and began selling out in local markets and craft fairs. Now setting up shop in The Alnwick Garden, their creations can’t go unnoticed.
Rooted in ancient Japanese culture, Craig uses the art of Kusadama to create a variety of paper sculptures which include the incredibly popular ‘Forever Flowers’- the floral art-piece that requires no maintenance. Alongside his wife, Craig designs and constructs other impressive products such as his Folded Books and Fairy Houses.
Each creation is extraordinarily unique and no two are the same. A complex process, every flower is individually folded needing 11 folds per petal. Just under 400 folds are required for each arrangement and it is all completed by hand. The Folded Book process only becomes more intricate, as one book can take up to 8 hours to complete. To create the desired design, every single page in the book is marked and measured to the nearest millimetre and with average book containing 500-600 pages, these designs can be wildly time consuming, but the finished product is astounding.
Remarkably, no part of the book is cut out or thrown away, meaning if it were to be unfolded, the book could once again be read!
Intertwining his creations with the North East landscape, all of Craig’s products use materials that are locally hand sourced and made just 7 miles from The Alnwick Garden. With a background in Environmental Chemistry, each product is created with an eco-conscious work ethic and prioritises sustainability.
All the ‘Forever Words Folded Books’ are carefully selected from second-hand sources in the local area. Due to most of them being damaged, they are rescued from the rubbish heap and given a second lease of life in the shape of something beautiful. Similarly, driftwood from local beaches such as Embleton, Holy Island and even fallen trees from The Alnwick Garden make up the base of the Fairy Houses.
A truly unique gift or centrepiece, you can learn more about our Maker of the Month in store where you can purchase a one-of-a-kind Craig creation.
You don’t need a Garden ticket to visit our Gift Shop, Plant Centre, or Bakery so if you’re looking for some local retail therapy, make sure to pop in!
It’s been a sad day here at The Alnwick Garden. Quietly tucked away under our giant deckchair and trying to find some shelter from the cold we found this little chap. Clearly forgotten by Father Christmas, he’s been seeking refuge in our garden since Christmas until eventually he found his way to our nice, warm office.
Having been fussed over and
pampered by the team, he’s feeling much better! But the North Pole is ever such
a long way away so he’s going to have to stay with someone until he can catch
the next sleigh ride back to the North Pole.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
We are looking for a caring,
loving and adventurous family to rehome him for the year and show
#TheForgottenSnowman all the sights he’s never dreamt of! In return the lucky
foster family will win tickets to come along to The Alnwick Garden on Christmas
Eve this year and help us reunite him with Father Christmas!
Comment
below telling us why your family would be the best host family for
#TheForgottenSnowman and share this post with your friends.
One lucky family will be chosen
on Saturday 15th February to win so comment and share before then!!!
When anyone asks Trevor Jones, Head Gardener at The Alnwick
Garden in Northumberland, to describe his average working week it is one of the
few times that he is lost for words.
As Head Gardener he is no longer surprised at any of the
requests made by his boss – The Duchess of Northumberland. From growing cannabis in the world-famous
Poison Garden to modelling for The Alnwick Garden calendar, the “any other
duties” part of his job description has been flexed to the max on many
occasions.
But as he is about to hang up his gardening gloves and move
into retirement, he is keen to find a suitable replacement who will pick up
where he left off and push boundaries further than ever.
“In my 12 years working at The Alnwick Garden, I have donned
a white chemical suit to conduct tours of our Poison Garden, flown around the
world to deliver horticultural educational talks and hosted World Naked
Gardening day. It’s fair to say that my
job is somewhat multi-faceted.”
The Alnwick Garden is the brainchild of Jane Percy, The
Duchess of Northumberland and a multi-award-winning visitor attraction based in
Alnwick, Northumberland. The 12 acres of
meandering and magnificent gardens are home to the world’s largest Taihaku
Cherry Orchard, a Grand Cascade comprising 120 water jets, a Poison Garden
filled exclusively with around 100 intoxicating and narcotic plants, the
world’s largest Treehouse Restaurant and one of the largest rose gardens in the
world.
With Trevor’s departure in 2020 he is keen to find a
replacement who will be willing to not only undertake such a broad range of
tasks, but someone who will push boundaries even further and take The Alnwick
Garden to the next level.
“We are always looking to be different and push the envelope
– our Halloween event this year saw people being chased by clowns, masked
characters and our CEO carrying a chainsaw.
I have become so used to it all that it becomes “just another day at the
office”!
We have the largest collection of European plants in the UK,
so when our visitors stop to ask me to name a plant I have to mentally flick
through the rolodex to educate them!
My replacement has to be open minded and drive change – The
Alnwick Garden approach is that nothing is too quirky!”
So, the hunt is now on to try to find this special person –
someone with passions, knowledge, ideas and of course an open mind. Quirks
aside, we are looking for someone with a huge experience and thorough knowledge
of plants, because fundamentally the excellence of planting is what is at our
core.”
As we approach Autumn, The Garden has taken on a whole new variety of colours.
From The Rose Garden, to The Ornamental Garden to The Cherry Orchard – everywhere you look, there are new colours to see, new scents to smell and new places to sit and reflect….
As part of our Elderberries Programme here at The Alnwick Garden, The Gentlemen’s Garden is a weekly session that encourages gentlemen to socialise, share traditional skills, and learn new ones, while working on their own allotment plots under the guidance of George Swordy, Senior Gardener.
Here, our front line journalist, Roving Robin, interviews George about what goes on…
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