Been busy, looking.

Tags

Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Chelsea Flower Show 15, Chris Beardshaw, Emma Bridgewater, James Basson, L'Occitane Garden, Morgan Stanley Healthy Cities Garden, Perch Hill, Rosa Albertine, Ruth Willmott, sarah Raven, Stipa gigantea, Winslow in Bloom

I may not have been able to do as much gardening as I would like in recent months but I have been busy on the garden front in other ways.  I have been to look at other gardens.  I had planned to write about all of  them in detail and yet the time got away from me, so here I am, finally putting finger tip to key (the modern day version of ‘pen-to-paper’).

In May there was the joy that is Chelsea Flower Show.  This years visit was on a cool grey afternoon yet the planting was far from grey, as to be expected it was a visual feast with joyful colour combinations everywhere you looked, including some of the visitors. There were lots of the usual purples and blue tones but this year more of these seemed to be interrupted by a splash of orange.  In the grey light of the day in question you can see how good this combination is, even with lower light levels.

Great Lupins at Chris Beardshaw’s garden for Morgan Stanley Healthy Cities Garden

White is also good at lifting itself and shining out against our pale grey skies.  The trunk of the Birches stride out against the dark green backdrop of Yew and accents the rather dreamy looks of the softest pink Astrantias and Japanese anemones.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer garden by Ruth Willmott .  A delightful planting combination although I am not sure the hand is a good addition.

For pure escapism I was rather taken by the beauty of these olive trees; it brought to mind holidays in the Mediterranean.  This might work in a sheltered urban garden but alas not in my exposed rural situation.

Olives and a glass of something chilled please. As seen at L’Occitane Garden by James Basson

In June I visited Winslow in Bloom which comprised a number of gardens open in the Town.  It is always interesting to see what has been done in other peoples gardens and they each had at least one plant or idea to take away.  A couple of the gardens stood out as being quintessentially English and I thought you might to take a look.

The rose around this cottage, filling the air with its scent, is Rosa Albertine, stunning.

Another garden in the Town with a wonderful back drop for meal times.

This is a walled garden of considerable size.  I especially liked the area of long grass with wildflowers against the freshly cut grass and the herringbone brick path, a pleasing mix of surfaces.  I am sorry that I did not note what the tree is as looking back now I can see it is particularly attractive in this setting.

Sun loving Phlomis fruticosa alongside the wall which is put to good use with climbers.

Later in the month I took a couple of days in East Sussex to visit Perch Hill and Great Dixter.

Perch Hill is the garden and cookery school of Sarah Raven.  For those who are not familiar with Sarah Raven, she has an inspirational mail order company for seeds and bulbs, and other garden items.  She is the author of numerous books including my favourite ‘Wild Flowers’.  She writes for The Telegraph and is a guest presenter on BBC Gardeners World.  She is married to Adam Nicholson the grandson of Vita Sackville-West.

Liz and I headed off bright and early to arrive in good time for the Perch Hill Open Day. Once we found the garden, no easy task due to a dearth of signs, we parked up in a field and headed in.  We were greeted with a wonderful sight:

Now there’s a welcome to draw you in.

Callundula and Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’

and poppies

and Golden oats, Stipa Gigantea

Buttons of Cirisium rivulare against more rust coloured metal.

 

So what can I tell you about the garden at Perch Hill? Well it is a feast for the eyes, of that there is no doubt.  Each and every which way that you turn your eye is greeted to an abundance of plant life.  The buildings themselves are a delightful collection of barns, outbuildings, Shepherds hut and a huge glasshouse located on a high point outside the village of Brightling. Each area is tastefully done, with an extravagant display of planting.  Pots are filled to overflowing, combinations and varieties of the flowers are interesting and unusual.

 

Summer bulbs Sparaxis with Heuchera, unknown variety

Even the cafe set up in the glasshouse is of the best possible taste.  Food is served on crockery by Emma Bridgewater, the shelves are crammed with a wonderful selection of scented leaf geraniums, succulents and vegetables.  There are interesting pots, vases and candlesticks on display some of which are for sale.  The large table we sat at was adorned with a collection of succulents, cacti, seed heads, stones and vessels.  

An interesting screening between diners.

The visit was very enjoyable day and both Liz and I came away with some ideas for our own gardens.  Our one disappointment was the lack of plants for sale.  I had thought that as Sarah Raven runs a mail order company there would be stock available to buy.  Wrong.  Clearly my mistake, Perch Hill is the cutting garden and school for Sarah Raven as well as her family home.  The mail order business is from another venue.

I would recommend a visit to one of the open days at Perch Hill, the website has all the details https://www.sarahraven.com/perch-hill-calendar

Just don’t go hoping to fill your car with plants.

 

Gunnera

Tags

A Shropshire Lad rose, david austin rose Gertrude Jekyll, David Austin Roses, EBay, Fragrant English Rose The Lark Ascending, Gunnera manicata, The Beth Chatto Gardens

I have never been terribly interested in on-line shopping. I could never imagine how you could choose anything without first seeing or feeling it; how would I know if it will fit, how would I know if it’s the real thing. I do of course make use of that website which shall remain nameless here, for books and music and I do feel almost ashamed of that as I know too well that it is putting bookshops and record shops out of business.  Oh and I find that family retailer/ department store, you know the one where all staff are partners, provides a great service in that I can order and they will deliver free of charge almost next day. Well reader I have changed my mind, I can now see the merits of on-line shopping, for PLANTS!

I took delivery of three David Austin Roses, The Lark Ascending which were sent as a gift from my now Canadian resident chum. They were packaged really well and looked good strong specimens.  They were planted a few weeks ago and they are going so well that I have ordered some more: 6 x Gertrude Jekyll and 3 A Shropshire Lad as bare root plants direct from David Austin. This was so much better than trawling round garden centres to see if they are in stock and then paying a full price for the fact that they are in shop which has a cafe and ornaments for sale.

Then I decided I wanted to have a Gunnera manicata for planting by the ditch. Having never seen one for sale, although that is probably because I was not looking, however, none the less, I decided to look on-line.
This little beauty was from EBay!

It arrived this morning in a self made cardboard box and wrapped in newspaper. It is fresh and healthy and I hope it will like its new home enough to grow and grow and grow into one of those enormous prehistoric beauties I once saw at the wonderful and inspiring damp garden of The Beth Chatto gardens, http://www.bethchatto.co.uk  If you have never been to visit the garden at Elmstead Market near Colchester, I recommend it as a ‘must-see’.

I will keep you posted on progress of the Gunn. Any tips, do let me know.  I would also really like to hear if you have had any great on-line garden/ plant purchases.

Dorris

Making a Majestic start

Tags

Betula albosinensis Fascination, coppery pink bark, Majestic Trees Ltd

Today has been a bright crisp Winters day, perfect for the arrival of my new tree.

I visited Majestic trees in Flamstead, http://www.majestictrees.co.uk a couple of weeks ago with the intention of choosing a pair of small native trees for my garden.  Once there, I was spoiled for choice and had my heart stolen by a multi-stemmed Birch. Budget busting I settled for the one tree and as the tree was in a 200L pot I needed the tree delivered and planted for me.

Anyway today’s the day it arrived.  Here is picture progress of its planting.

 

 

 

The tree is Betula albosinensis “Fascination” in multi stem form.  I chose it for a number of reasons mainly because of the colour of its bark, a coppery, pink grey peeling bark which will shine out in the dark Winter months.   It gets catkins in the Spring before fresh small birch leaves arrive for the Summer.  The leaves will turn to a rich golden yellow for an  Autumn show.  I also really like the outline shape of the canopy which is broadly conical.  Eventual height is 6 to 10 meters.

Now planted, I am really happy with it and can begin planning the next phase.

I hope you all have a good weekend and that the sunshine stays.

Me?  I will be found gazing at my tree.  Perhaps I shall have to give a name?!

 

 

To brighten your day: Narcissus cordubensis

Tags

Daffodil, littleheathfarmnursery.co.uk, Narcissus cordubensis

Welcome to my new daff.  This tiny little daffodil has up to five golden yellow, heavily scented flowers per stem. The petals are slightly recurved and twisted.  Growing to about 25cm it likes moist well-drained soil in a sunny spot.  It is on my table as I write this and is filling my nose with its distinct daffodil scent.  How could I resist.  The price of a fancy coffee, it is worth every penny.  It came from Potten End, Little Heath Farm Nursery.

The thing that intrigued me about this daff was the leaves.  The leaves rather resemble those of Allium sphaerocephalon.  If I had not seen the colour coming through, let alone the trumpet shape, I would have guessed, wrongly, that it was an Allium. Without the onion scent, it would have been a puzzle.

I was going to save this for Wordless Wednesday but it is such a grey day here I thought I would share it today and spread a little colour.

Have a good weekend. Dorris.

November was all about the trees

Tags

Acer campestre, beech tree, Collier Landscapes, Copper Beech, English oak, Evergreen oak, Fagus sylvatica, Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea', Field maple, Majestic Trees Ltd, Quercus Ilex, Quercus Robur

November was a busy time in my garden as the clear up began.  We woke up on the morning of the first of November to a downpour, how disappointing after the glorious day we had had the day before.  By 10am however the skies had cleared, the rain with it and out came the sunshine.  Brother Dorris arrived with a shiny new chain saw and a big grin.  “Right then what do you want cutting down?”

So first off was the (self sown?) Sycamore tree which was far too close to the garage building. One of the two Indian Chestnut trees was next, sadly these had been all but destroyed by the previous occupants ( the goats) standing, but stripped of their bark, they were slowly dying.

The old stock fencing was next, claw hammer at the ready, off came the wiring then out it came.  Instantly the space began to look like it all belonged together.

“Now what can I chop down”

Out came the couple of dead fruit trees.

Burning nicely ” When can I do the dead tree?”  So once next door moved their car out of harms way, down it came.  Yippee we shouted, the ugly old tree has gone.

Enough.  A great big tidy up was made and after refreshments,  Brother Dorris climbed into his car, still grinning but looking rather grubbier than when he had arrived.  Bonfire at the ready.

I checked the forecast for tomorrow: rain.  Better cut the grass and sweep up the mountains of leaves to finish the job for today.  It was most satisfying to see the clear up well underway.

A week later Buster Bond arrived to tackle the trees which had been allowed to encroach the over head cabling.

Brother Dorris was forbidden from getting anywhere near these trees, and so an experienced tree man was brought in. Mr Bond and his colleague (don’t you just love the name) arrived early and took half a day to carefully unpick the tangle of Ash and Chestnut branches. What a difference this made.

Another week on and Brother Dorris returned, this time to help tackle the rest of the stock fencing.

 

Then there was the relocation of the espalier apple tree which had been planted in a raised bed on the terrace. Given that raised beds are essentially large pots the tree needed to move.  A new site was chosen, next to the area of stock fencing which is to remain, giving it a needed framework to train along then a large hole was prepared.  A light pruning of the tree first, followed by a lengthy amount of digging to release the main root framework from the soil.  After much rocking and pulling, the soil finally relinquished its grip.  The tree was just about small enough to move through the house and take out to its new home.  

 

 

Meanwhile, at the garden where I work, seventeen new trees were added to the tree planting carried out two Winters ago.  Copper Beech,  Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ were added to the earlier three to form a grouping which will eventually knit together.

 

The trees were supplied by Majestic Trees who also provide a delivery and planting service, essential given the size of the task.  Further planting was added to an area which is to eventually create a copse.  Here we chose Acer campestre, Field Maple, Quercus Ilex and Quercus Robur the Evergreen Oak and  English Oak as well as a couple of Fagus sylvatica, Beech trees.  These trees look wonderful in their new setting, it takes vision and patience to appreciate that these trees will not be at their best in our lifetime, rather it will be our grandchildren who will hopefully get to see them in all their glory.

I may not have carried out much blog work during November but I was not completely idle: planning and organising the clearing work in my garden was essential before the next phase can start, and start it has.  The plans have been sketched out on paper, Liz my gardening chum has helped me mark out the ground ready for Jez of Collier Landscapes to start the next phase, lifting the turf and turning the soil ready for Spring planting.  It is starting to take shape…….

 

 

 

 

Little Heath Nursery

Show Dates: November.

Little Heath Farm Nursery

Tags

little heath nursery, potten end, potten end nursery

Hidden away from any through traffic, hides the small nursery at Little Heath Lane, Potten End.  This is one of those increasingly rare places, that seem to be as you would imagine it to have been, perhaps fifty years ago.  It is a little bit shabby around the edges, wild in others especially where plants have been allowed to settle at their chosen spot and yet, on closer inspection, a system of order is in place.First glance, a riot of plants.

There are paths under there, somewhere.

And yet this adds to the charm of the place and can be excused especially when greeted with such beauty:

And such choice:

The nursery was started in the 1970’s (so not at all 1950’s) and is run by a husband and wife team.  They grow a collection of alpines, hardy perennials as well as ferns and trees.  Some of these are the more unusual varieties.  The nursery regularly attends Farmers markets in St Albans, Berkhamsted and Harpenden as well as various plant fairs.  The people working there, and I am reluctant to call them staff as they seem to be such a small team, are extremely knowledgeable about their stock and will help if asked.  And that is the great thing about the nursery, it is as if you have stumbled into someones cottage garden and the owner can see you are there but is happy to let you wander around.   At this time of year the place is alive with wildlife, birds and butterflies abound, a veritable haven, they are watched and recorded in list form on their blog.

Anyway I enjoy the place immensely and as if to assist, there is always an arrangement of plants in season, to entice you to part with your cash:

a table top of pink and white

A riot of hot colours

Or some softer blues 

Should you really not need any more plants, or if gardening is not your thing, there is another reason to visit and that is the tea house. Tea and coffee is served in a hotch potch collection of china, some would say vintage darling, available with a selection of homemade cakes.  In fair weather you can find yourself a bench under the vine or under the trees, enjoy your refreshments and pretend you are in that cottage garden. Bliss.

The Plant Specialist, Great Missenden

Tags

Great Missenden, The Plant Specialist

In addition to visiting the Roald Dahl garden at Gypsy House, we called in at the Plant Specialist, a lovely plant nursery with some serious plant shopping on the agenda.  The nursery has been open since 2002 and was set up by Keith Pounder and Sean Walter to provide a source of new and unusual herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses. This is a rare type of nursery in that it does not have a tea room nor shelves of strange smelling candles but it does have a great selection of plants at fair prices, as well as charming and inspiring display gardens.Tank planted with strong pink Callirhoe and a pale pink variety of Onagraceae, Mexican evening primrose.

Now my companion on this visit, Liz, had not been here before but had brought her cheque book and shopping list as she is in the midst of replanting her garden.  Well I reckon we must have spent over an hour just looking through the aisles, spoiled for choice, finding everything on the list, as well as some other gems as well.  Like kids in a sweet shop, we chose what we thought was the best three of each variety.

Area for plants suited to shade

Sun-baked perennials for sale

The staff were great, happy to chat and compare plant loves and hates, (Euphorbias were the top of everyone’s mean list, having recently caused my arms to swell and itch for a week, they had caused burn marks on one of the staff).  If there was a plant we were unfamiliar with they were able to advise on suitable conditions, habit etc.  And if we needed inspiration we could see the plants in their display garden:

Here are some snapshots of the plants chosen:

The staff helpfully found some boxes and biodegradable bags in which to pack the plants so that Liz could get them home in her car without spoiling the interior.  How refreshing is that!

If you are hoping to find some unusual plants or you are simply looking for inspiration, I recommend a visit to the Plant Specialist.  Now open on Bank Holiday Mondays, please be aware that it is only open March to October, Wednesday to Sunday inclusive. If you feel that a cuppa is part of any nursery outing, wander in to the High Street to find refreshments.