Ashridge Nurseries Blog & Recipes

Plant Based Words & Photographs about Gardens, Recipes, Design, Bees and Wildlife

Weekend Wordsearch - Tomatoes & Strawberries
We have some new tomato varieties in stock, and strawberries are also red (but not in stock till Autumn). So we are going to plug them both here with a wordsearch! Tomato Wordsearch Can you find our different varieties of...
Drought-Resistant Gardening Tips
When gardeners dream of summer, we imagine borders overflowing with lush vegetation and profuse blooms stretching as far as the eye can see. But lack of rain, hot conditions and hosepipe bans are making it tougher to achieve this kind...
Wollerton Old Hall, Shropshire
Our trip to Wales, and March's regional winner of the Nation’s Favourite Garden A good garden map is a wonderful thing, an intricate portrait of signs, symbols and ripe expectation, where you can imagine meandering paths leading to as yet...
Simple Strawberry Jam
It's very nearly strawberry picking time! If you're lucky enough to grow your own strawberries, you probably pick them off the plant and eat them straight away, however if you do have some left over and don't know what to...
Weekend Wordsearch - Cosmos
Can you find our varieties of cosmos in the wordsearch below? Cosmos are the perfect easy cut flowers for all summer long. Can you find the different varieties in our wordsearch below? ANTIQUITY CANDY STRIPE CRANBERRIES DAYDREAM DAZZLER ROSE BON...
Weekend Wordsearch - Lavender
Can you find our Lavenders? We have a fantastic range of lavender this year. Can you find the different varieties in our wordsearch below? ARCTIC SNOW FRENCH BUTTERFLY GROSSO HIDCOTE MELISSA LILAC MUNSTEAD PHENOMENAL ROSEA VERA SCENTED PURPLE BLUE Download...
Mint Julep
The 30th May is Mint Julep Day. The bourbon based Mint Julep has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, on May 1st, since 1939 – bourbon being the signature spirit of Kentucky. Juleps originated in Persia and Michaelangelo...
Through the Tree Hole, Sir Michael and Lady Colman
In the last of our Through the Treehole interviews, we talk to Sir Michael (scion of the Colmans mustard family) and his wife, Lady Colman. Creators of the award-winning Summerdown Mint brand and loyal Ashridge customers for many years, Michael...
Lilies of the Valley
Lilies of the Valley are one of our plants of the month for May The unforgettable scent and exquisite bell-shaped flowers of lilies of the valley are natural muses, stirring the soul to eulogise them in poems, songs, and on...
Social climbers
With Spring bringing people out into the fresh air, it seems fitting to give a little air time to some of the garden’s most sociable inhabitants, the clematis. They say there’s one for every month of the year, and they’re...
Vertical Planting Ideas
Unattractive walls and fences are canvases hungry for climbers and shrubs, waiting for you to use them for vertical interest in your planting schemes, leading the eye smoothly from beds and borders out into the wider landscape. Sunny Cottage Cottage...
Weekend Wordsearch - Herbs
Can you find our Herbs? Herbs are now available to order as plugs or in 9cm pots. See if you can find the different varieties of herbs in the wordsearch below. BASIL CHERVIL CHIVES CHAMOMILE CORIANDER DILL FENNEL LEMON BALM...
Vegan Wraps
Pepper, Onion, Tomato & Avocado Tortilla Wraps Great Lent is here, so it's time to get some tasty meatless meals on the menu. Filled vegan tortilla wraps are quick to make and good for lunch boxes too. Ingredients: 1 Red...
UN World Water Day: 22nd March
World Water Day is on 22 March I’m afraid I'm too late to celebrate National Retro Day with you, falling on 27nd Feb. That one’s in the past. The same goes for National Awkward Moments Day on 18th March; I...
Planning a Scented Garden
In April, my garden is awash with Daffodils and Hellebores, filling the borders with whites, yellows and deep purples. I love seeing the joyful spring display, and this morning the enticing scent drifting from under the apple trees stopped me...
Weekend Wordsearch - Dahlias
Can you find our Dahlias? Dahlias are now available to buy as tubers. Our range of Dahlias include: Ball Dahlias, Cactus Dahlias, Decorative Dahlias, Pom Pom Dahlias & Waterlily Dahlias. See if you can find the different varieties of dahlias...
Weekend Wordsearch - Roses
Can you find our Roses? We sell a huge range of bareroot roses; shrub roses, floribunda roses, climbing roses, rambling roses, hybrid tea roses & hedging roses. See if you can find the varieties below in our weekly wordsearch. BALLERINA...
Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Chark Docolate Budge Frownies Yes, that is their correct name, and if you don't like it, that's fine: none for you, more for me. Treat mum this Mother's Day (Sunday 14th March 2021) with some truly indulgent, gluten free, home-made...
Sowing Chilli Seeds
It’s February, our kitchen table is covered in seed packets and the chilli season is just about to start. We grow a range of chillies to suit the different tastes in my family and for a variety of culinary uses...
Through the Tree Hole, Melanie Cable-Alexander
Author, freelance journalist and B&B owner Melanie Cable-Alexander has visited many gardens over the years having been features editor of Country Life. Here she recalls some memorable gardening moments. What is your favourite flower? At this time of year one...