So, May is here already. At this time of year the warm sunshine and moist soil provide perfect growing conditions. You can almost see the plants grow in front of your eyes. With all this growth, some of our taller herbaceous plants will need some form of staking and now is the time to get your supports in place before plants get too big.

At Glyndebourne we use two methods of plant support: the first, metal hoops with link stakes, is widely available and used by most gardeners. The second method is hazel sticks, also known as coppicing, which is a traditional and sustainable way to support plants.

We grow a few hazel shrubs specifically for this purpose. Every fifth January or so we cut the stems back to about six inches to encourage new growth then after a few years you end up with fan-shaped branches that are ideal for staking. What is wonderful about hazel is its versatility – not only does it provide the perfect material for plant supports, in the spring its catkins, or lambs tails, look absolutely beautiful and can also be used in flower arrangements. And of course, hazel produces nuts, but be sure to pick them quick. We get harvesting while the nuts are still green, if we leave them to ripen on the bush the squirrels always get to them before we do.

A plant that looks magnificent in the Glyndebourne orchard at the moment is Camassia (pictured left), a relative of the Hyacinth that is native to North America and Canada. We mostly have Camassia leichtlinii, which grows to a height of about a metre and has hundreds of star-shaped flowers in a variety of colours. The dark blue flowers are always the first to bloom, followed by light blue and purple and then white, giving us more than a month to enjoy this wonderful sight.

Apparently the bulbs of one type of Camassia (Camassia quamash) can be eaten, and supposedly taste like sweet potatoes or sweet chestnut when cooked. Maybe I will taste them one day but for the moment I’m happy sitting back and enjoying the way this plant is brightening up our orchard. But staying idle for long is not an option – Glyndebourne Festival opens in a few weeks’ time and we will be working hard between now and then to ensure the gardens are as magical as the operas on stage.

  • Glyndebourne’s gardens are open to ticket holders for Glyndebourne Festival (May 17 to August 24) only. Tickets from £10 to £250 via Glyndebourne.com or 01273 815000