Great shots everyone! I'm especially loving the irises.
Went to Sandringham Estate last week, lots of rhododendrons of every colour; the plants near the water were very nice. The last photo is of an 800-year-old oak tree.
I went to the new RHS garden at Bridgewater, Salford today. A lot of it is still unplanted and other areas need a few years for the plants to bulk-up, but the more established areas are really good.
I visited Hidcote and Kiftsgate yesterday which are very close together. Both are very good but I prefer Kiftsgate. The NT has opted out of any labelling at Hidcote, suggesting visitors can email them with a photo if wanting a plant identified. They say they are keeping the spirit of what was a private garden.
Why is it that the NT choose not to label plants at some locations? Went for my first ever NT garden visit last weekend (Ascott House & Gardens) and was frustrated with not being able to see what everything was. There was one particular flower that we liked and the nice lady at the entrance was able to advise what is was, but there were so many more that I would have appreciated being labelled.
@g.king I expect it is (a) that the NT rely a lot on volunteers and there are perhaps not that many (b) the expense of long-lasting metal tags is too much or (c) they get nicked! I agree with you, it is very frustrating and bad practice I believe in NT gardens especially.
Interesting. Approach 1) "This was a private garden and we want to show it as it was for its owners" vs 2) "We know this is open for visitors and we are willing to do changes to suit them". Like preservation/realism vs tourist attraction. It could be labels or it could be other things like how wide the paths are, how many sitting areas or benches are there, infrastructure etc. I think both approaches are valid but I also like to see labels.
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Went to Sandringham Estate last week, lots of rhododendrons of every colour; the plants near the water were very nice. The last photo is of an 800-year-old oak tree.
Rosa Cooperi
Paeonia Jan van Leeuwen
Went for my first ever NT garden visit last weekend (Ascott House & Gardens) and was frustrated with not being able to see what everything was.
There was one particular flower that we liked and the nice lady at the entrance was able to advise what is was, but there were so many more that I would have appreciated being labelled.
I agree with you, it is very frustrating and bad practice I believe in NT gardens especially.
I think both approaches are valid but I also like to see labels.