The herbaceous border in the Kitchen Garden has entered its second flowering phase with flamboyant pink, red and magenta hollyhocks opening alongside tall, spiky and strikingly blue Eryngium, or sea holly. Different varieties of lavender can be seen too, as well as cheerful sunny-coloured clumps of Alstroemeria that now dominate the spring border.

Berries and vegetables are growing in abundance alongside annuals such as Dahlias and the orange Calendulas pictured here. These attract beneficial insects which prey on other less welcome insects that enjoy eating the crop.

A massive variety of Hydrangeas with their elegant shapes and attractively muted colours are in flower all around the garden – and there is an excellent selection on sale here as well. Look out too for the Agapanthus coming into flower in the bed just below the Croft – the subtly different shades of blue are a particular delight.

For something a little different, look out for specimens of Tropaeolum speciosum (otherwise known as Flame nasturtium or Flame creeper). It climbs through other plants, keeping its roots in the shade, and bursts into bright crimson flowers. It is putting on a particularly good show at the moment on the Mulberry Lawn at the bottom end of the Hergest Croft lawn. Or head up into the Maple Grove in search of the spectacular Pterocarya macroptera with its long tails of pale green catkins.