Hydrangeas always strike me as quintessentially English, although by far the greatest species diversity is found in eastern Asia – in Korea, China and Japan. I think it is the attractively muted colours of many varieties, and perhaps the fact that they are at their best in July that make them seem so very English. Anyway, they are absolutely at their best at Hergest right now. Look out too for the bed of agapanthus on the lower terrace just beneath the Croft, which are also in full bloom.

The herbaceous border in the Kitchen Garden continues to delight: the blue delphiniums are especially striking. Nearby, the artichokes have reached ever dizzier heights: we’re eating as many of these as we can but are losing the battle – not that it matters, as in time the artichokes will give rise to large purply-blue flowers, rather like thistles grown for giants. Amidst the vegetables, sweet pea are now racing up their frames and smell wonderful.

Regular visitors will notice that we are working on extending the colour at the far end of the Kitchen Garden with recent plantings of clematis and more climbing roses. One of the lavender beds has also been replanted. And there is already a hint of autumn as the pears on the espaliers grow rounder and start to ripen.