Garden Visit: 'The Beeches', Waltham-le-Willows

Details

Written by: Chris Davies

Hits: 4236

12th August 2017

Following an alarming start, - when Barbra’s reminder to the prospective host, Dr. Russell, was answered by his daughter, Penelope, saying that he had died before Christmas, that she had only recently moved in, but would be happy to have us, and generous enough to provide refreshments as well, - preparations went smoothly.

Members were asked to make donations for the refreshments.

This was a very established garden, one of it’s features being the range of huge specimen trees, Pawlonia, Davidia, Catalpa etc. There was an array of box topiary ranging from animals to abstracts and a number of old stone contrasts to the foliage and mixed flower borders. There were also a couple of Peter Rabbits in the border. ( not live ones).

The front boundary was contained within a flowing ditch, also used to make points of interest, and Penelope opened a gate so that we could go through to the village hall, where the local flowers and produce show was in full swing. Another gate took members around the house past an old mulberry tree and to the very pretty church.

When Penelope has had time to impose her own personality on the garden, it would be good to visit again.

*See poster advertising talk on ‘ Buckingham Palace Garden’ by Head Gardener, Mark Lane, on 16th September at 2.30pm. etc. £6.

Chris Davies 

Garden Visit: Redisham Hall

Details

Written by: Chris Davies

Hits: 4258

15th July 2017

Colin arrived early and put out HPS signs - always a comforting sight when travelling in a strange area.

Immediate excitement was raised by the plant sales area, with a good range of plants at ‘cup of coffee’ prices. This took many members’ attention for some time, before proceeding.

 The huge walled vegetable garden was most impressive with quantities of immaculately grown vegetables, including rows of contrasting coloured cabbages, cold frames, glasshouse and netted fruit areas.

Beyond the wall a little doorway led past a Judas tree ( Cercis siliquastrum ) quantities of purple seed pods, crowded onto branches and the main stem. Past the shrubbery, with the house to our left, where there were areas of formal garden, including a formal pond with large Koi carp, whilst to our right was a large lawn and further across, another pond, much larger, ( and a little boat), crossed by a bridge and fairly newly planted on the surrounding sloping banks.

Drifting further across the expanse of lawn there were tables and chairs set out and a little summer-house with more seats and a table supporting an excellent range of cakes and tea and coffee to complete our visit.

(One member expressed the opinion that at £7, this was not best value for money.)

There will be a longer review in the next Newsletter.

Chris Davies

Garden Visit: High House, Shipdham, Thetford

Details

Written by: Aileen Butler

Hits: 5028

10th June 2017

On a glorious summer’s day a small, but eager party met at High House Gardens at Shipdham. The bees easily outnumbered us, but they did not in any way distract us from the plethora of flowers, shrubs and trees that greeted us. Entry was by the small nursery and for a while I wondered if we would get beyond there, as plant buying was already in progress when we arrived.

It is hard to describe this garden as formal, despite the undoubted formal layout, because it had such a cottage garden feel about it, from the border near the nursery to the blossoming beds that followed.

Campanulas, peonies, geums and hardy geraniums , fought for our attention as they battled with pink deutzia and deep red potentillas. Just like the bees and butterflies we each pointed out a favourite plant or an attention seeking display.

As we wandered through a small arboretum of assorted trees we came upon a shepherd’s hut it  just needed a good book to provide the perfect hide away. In the long grass, a perfect oasis for insects, nestled rusting farm tools, somehow they looked as though they should be there. The pond was alive with bright blue dragonflies, but sadly the water lilies had yet to show us their splendour.

The garden was divided by hedges of various types and each room had borders to delight everyone. A stand of deep blue delphiniums immediately demanded our attention, amazingly still upright after the strong winds of the preceding week. Foxgloves were busy providing nectar for the bees and two brilliant gold grasses glowed in the afternoon sun. Yet again we were greeted by plants vying for our attention a crazy mix of colour and perfume.

A well ordered fruit and vegetable garden left us in awe, as our own were no near the same stage as these, nor had we any sweet peas in flower, so we three sweet pea lovers savoured their sweet perfume. The cutting garden and greenhouse did not fail to impress and everywhere you wandered in this garden there were roses delighting the eye and nose. The chickens at the rear of the garden were relaxing in the warm sunshine enjoying a dust bath and clucking with contentment, it was a pleasure to stand and watch them.

Our final foray was into the front garden, a large curving bed with a profusion of colour especially the spectacular deep red lupins, and various campanulas with their globe like flowers showing off in the bright sunlight.  A seat, at the end of the bed provide a much welcome sit down allowing us to enjoy the scene before us.

It was with equal delight we were told that tea and a choice of homemade cake was ready, which turned out to be as big a treat as the garden had been. A plant lover made this garden and plant lovers enjoyed it.

Aileen Butler