Hello, green thumbs and nature lovers!
It’s been a busy (and exciting!) few weeks around the estate, and we have plenty to share. From potting & propagating plants to uncovering rare fungal treasures, here’s a roundup of what’s been happening across the campus grounds and beyond. Let’s dig in!
Canna Believe It? Propagation Success with Our Volunteers!
This month, we kicked off our very first staff volunteering sessions! The estates team joined in with us to tackle the task of preparing our beloved canna lilies for overwintering in the poly tunnel. By carefully splitting and repotting we divided around 90 plants! These tropical beauties are set to make a strong comeback next year.
Meanwhile, our dedicated gardening volunteers took up the challenge of potting up some fuchsia and rose cuttings, propagated earlier in the year. A big shoutout to everyone who got their hands dirty—your efforts will help us have a beautiful display in the years to come.

Woodland Wonders: Restoration in Action
The woodland restoration project is in full swing, and it’s been a real eye-opener. The gardening team worked tirelessly to start the second phase of invasive shrub clearance. The images are an excellent demonstration of why it needs removal, as this huge area was completely dominated, with absolutely nothing growing underneath. The diversity was so poor that this area was only 2-3 mature invasive shrubs that had spread by layering, so not only one species, but one gene pool... It is essential to act now to remove the invasive shrubs as it has stopped the natural regeneration and succession of trees in the woodland, meaning the woodland will effectively be gone in the next 20-40 years, if left unchanged.
But it gets better, we have also now replanted the area with the help of Love Your Campus and Nature Conservation volunteers! Together with our garden team, we’ve replanted the area using a variety of native species, breathing new life into the forest. It’s incredible to see the transformation already taking shape—thank you to everyone who lent a hand (or a spade)!
Fungi Fame: A Rare Discovery
Now for some truly exciting news—Kew Gardens has confirmed the presence of two rare fungal species right here on campus! Say hello to the Bee’s Wax Bracket (Ganoderma pfeifferi), a near-threatened species that thrives in old-growth beech forests, and the flame shield fungi which is a very uncommon find and believed to be threatened again due to habitat loss.
This treasure was partly uncovered during our invasive species clearance in the woodland, and without these efforts, it’s likely this incredible fungus would have been lost due to habitat decline, i.e. this fungi relies on old trees, the rhododendron stops the succession of old trees, so the fungi habitat dies off. Its discovery highlights the importance of restoring and protecting natural ecosystems—it’s a win for conservation and biodiversity! It actually smells like honey/bees wax hence the name.

Behind the Scenes at Hampton Court Palace
Another highlight of this month was an incredible visit to the majestic Hampton Court Palace arranged by our very talented Michael O’connor (performance and maintenance manager), where we had the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes and explore the glasshouses, gardens, and even the building conservation works.
The palace’s gardens are, as you’d expect, nothing short of breathtaking—but what really stood out was the behind-the-scenes look at the glasshouses, where they grow and nurture an array of exotic plants for their spectacular displays. Seeing the care, precision, and expertise that goes into maintaining these collections was truly inspiring.
Gardening Tip of the Month: Begonia Corms – Don’t Toss Them!
Here’s how to store them for future use:
1. Timing is key: Wait until the end of the flowering season but act before the first frost sets in. Even if the first frosts have wilted the foliage the corms should still be salvageable.
2. Clean them up: remove the foliage, gently remove soil and cleanly snip away any decaying parts.
3. Inspect for pests: Check for pesky white vine weevil grubs, and be sure to dispose of any you find, the garden birds will love them.
4. Dry and store: Let the corms dry out fully and store them in a cool, dry place, ready to replant in spring.
By saving your corms, you’ll not only save money next year, but will have a better flower display year on year as the corms grow bigger, plus reduce waste—a win-win for you and the planet!
Another tip for the veg garden is to get your Garlic bulbs in now, then need a period of cold to develop properly, so plant them now for healthy garlic next year.
We’re always amazed by the power of teamwork, nature, and a bit of elbow grease. Whether it’s propagating lilies, uncovering rare fungi, or restoring the woodland. Thank you for following our journey, and happy gardening!
Until next time,
The Garden Team