Dove cottage had been the next local garden to visit on my wish list and Copt Howe isn't far from there. I live in Lancashire...about 45mins drive from Ambleside so both gardens are doable in a day.
Today, Nut plus friend, Dove plus partner and myself went to Castor Gardens near Peterborough. I believe it is about 6 acres, with a large wood with mature trees.
Here are some pics
The first flower bed, with masses of flowers (I think they have their NGS opening now as so many of their flowers are at their best)
I have always been slightly repelled by Echinaceas, but have recently changed my mind
A nice sedum(?) with dark leaves and there is a bee there somewhere
This looks like a strange version of Nectoscordium
little-ann I've had trouble finding gardens to visit in the lakes which is a shame as it is such a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for the two suggestions, if you can post a link of more to visit it would be much appreciated.
Fab pics artjak. Liked the gourds. I'm growing swan gourds at present, not sure what to do with them though does anyone know if they should be picked or left on the plant till it dies. Some have been picked and are drying in the GH but the smaller one's picked look to be going alittle soft. .
I travelled miles to visit Sissinghurst white garden, the garden of my dreams and boy I was so disapointed!!!! It was tiny and although only the end of August looked like it was over for the year, there were loads of gaps in the planting and lots of messy dead plants, it just looked generally unloved.
The box hedging round all the beds looked patchy and unkempt too. I was gutted.
Luckily the rest of the garden was fab, the orchard was amazinf, autumn crocys all over, beehives and that lovely lazy late summer feeling.
The moat was full of pond scum, it looked seriously unloved, the avenue of trees was being pruned so it was not really looking it's best.
About gourds, Zoomer; when I was a child my brother grew them and I think they were used as household ornaments (placed in bowls etc). Some years ago I bought some and brought them up to the Fens and put them in bowls and left some in the London flat. The ones in the Fens went moldy as it is so humid here, the ones in London lasted much longer.
...and Lou12, I saw Sissinghurst about 25 years ago and was disappointed with the 'white' garden as any slightly cream shade looks grubby against a purely white flower. But the rest of the garden then was in good condition, I think it was late May/early June. I have noticed over the years that a lot of major gardens are well over their best by even the beginning of August. Though the one we went to today (Castor gardens) was in it's prime
Hi, Lou and Art. I have seen the white garden looking both stunning ( 1st time I think) and disappointing. I subsequently planted a white border but found all white can look a little flat. It needs the right structure and foliage to work. And now I add some purple elements to lift it. No more all white for me.
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Hi, little-ann...No I haven't visited Copt Howe.
Dove cottage had been the next local garden to visit on my wish list and Copt Howe isn't far from there. I live in Lancashire...about 45mins drive from Ambleside so both gardens are doable in a day.
Copt Howe sounds and looks lovely in Autumn
.
it is an interesting garden in spring as well, we have alot of gardens up here dont we
Holehird is another worth a visit
Today, Nut plus friend, Dove plus partner and myself went to Castor Gardens near Peterborough. I believe it is about 6 acres, with a large wood with mature trees.
Here are some pics
The first flower bed, with masses of flowers (I think they have their NGS opening now as so many of their flowers are at their best)
I have always been slightly repelled by Echinaceas, but have recently changed my mind
A nice sedum(?) with dark leaves and there is a bee there somewhere
This looks like a strange version of Nectoscordium
They seem to love intense colour here
A glimpse of the veg and fruit
Definitely greenhouse envy
I love the elegance of their fruit and veg area
Ahh, the Ornamental Gourds
...growing in this lovely airy gazebo
which Nut wants!
Oh dear, a whole lot of pics and comments have vanished. May post them again tomorrow
little-ann I've had trouble finding gardens to visit in the lakes which is a shame as it is such a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for the two suggestions, if you can post a link of more to visit it would be much appreciated.
Fab pics artjak. Liked the gourds. I'm growing swan gourds at present, not sure what to do with them though does anyone know if they should be picked or left on the plant till it dies. Some have been picked and are drying in the GH but the smaller one's picked look to be going alittle soft. .
I travelled miles to visit Sissinghurst white garden, the garden of my dreams and boy I was so disapointed!!!! It was tiny and although only the end of August looked like it was over for the year, there were loads of gaps in the planting and lots of messy dead plants, it just looked generally unloved.
The box hedging round all the beds looked patchy and unkempt too. I was gutted.
Luckily the rest of the garden was fab, the orchard was amazinf, autumn crocys all over, beehives and that lovely lazy late summer feeling.
The moat was full of pond scum, it looked seriously unloved, the avenue of trees was being pruned so it was not really looking it's best.
I wanted to so love this garden but.......didn't.
About gourds, Zoomer; when I was a child my brother grew them and I think they were used as household ornaments (placed in bowls etc). Some years ago I bought some and brought them up to the Fens and put them in bowls and left some in the London flat. The ones in the Fens went moldy as it is so humid here, the ones in London lasted much longer.
...and Lou12, I saw Sissinghurst about 25 years ago and was disappointed with the 'white' garden as any slightly cream shade looks grubby against a purely white flower. But the rest of the garden then was in good condition, I think it was late May/early June. I have noticed over the years that a lot of major gardens are well over their best by even the beginning of August. Though the one we went to today (Castor gardens) was in it's prime
Hi, Lou and Art. I have seen the white garden looking both stunning ( 1st time I think) and disappointing. I subsequently planted a white border but found all white can look a little flat. It needs the right structure and foliage to work. And now I add some purple elements to lift it. No more all white for me.
Lovely pics Art - i have greenhouse envy, sundial envy, gazebo envy .....
So glad you had a lovely day, and the sun came out
Will make sure i time my sissinghurst visit for june next year .... along with 3 Million other visitors, most of them on coaches