We have a fine show of Crocosmia (Lucifer) in the centre of kitchen garden. Many of the flowers have been cut for the hotel and they provide a strong vibrant display. The leaves can be used to create rush baskets and when woven are very strong, like papyrus. They can also be used to create paper. The strong clumps in the garden will have to be thinned out this autumn so they don’t shade out our Espalier apples. Soon we will also have the ripe red vibrancy of the Discovery apples to continue the theme. Is red the colour of temptation? Certainly the Crocosmia walk adds a lot of appeal to our kitchen garden.