Bodysgallen Hall Gardens, North Wales, 11th August 2011
Forde Abbey and its Mighty Fountain, 26th July 2014
I have never been inside Forde Abbey as it was felt hosting a wedding to be more important than hosting the two of us. On a lovely July day in this lovely county of Dorset I was not so disappointed for we were there to see the fountain, the highest powered fountain in England reaching a height of up to 160 ft. It is not some historic creation, being constructed in 2005. The spectacle is eagerly awaited by visitors and a sense of excitement pervaded the gardens. It did not disappoint as the waters crashed down to the Mermaid Pond. I had to turn the camera sideways to capture the height!
Narcissus "Lemon Flare", Christmas Day
A Merry Christmas to one and all. I decided that my Christmas petticoat hoop is "Lemon Flare", obtained from Anne Wright although the original hybridizer was the Ulsterman, Brian Duncan. He began hybridizing way back in 1964, concentrating rather more recently on miniatures. He registered the bulb in 2013 and "Lemon Flare" seems one of the most robust bulbocodium daffodils this year, This was photographed on Wednesday, the flowers having filled out nicely since I featured them earlier in the week. Growing these distinctly early flowering narcissus outdoors does show up their seemingly fragile nature in the gale force winds. I say "seemingly" for they do bounce back. "Lemon Flare" in particular does not lack for resilience. I'm sure in a normal winter they would not be so early, other varieties of snowdrop and daffodil being perhaps two weeks premature.
Taking photographs with my little compact was fun in the gales. The blessed things just would not keep still and in focus. Which reminds me that we have six grandchildren here this Christmas.
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Taking photographs with my little compact was fun in the gales. The blessed things just would not keep still and in focus. Which reminds me that we have six grandchildren here this Christmas.
Kew Gardens Davies Alpine House & Waterlily House, 4th May 2014
Opened in 2006 the Davies Alpine House is a modern take on the glass houses that have been such a feature of the world famous gardens at Kew. In the state of the art ventilated and lit glasshouse it is possible to grow alpines in a way I, funnily enough, fail to do so. The primulas in particular caught my eye.
Completed in 1852, Richard Turner's iron work is a feature of the Waterlily House and, for a time, both the images below adorned my computer as a background. Were it not for the heat and humidity inside I would suggest the water, flat lilies and reflected ironwork are very cool.
Completed in 1852, Richard Turner's iron work is a feature of the Waterlily House and, for a time, both the images below adorned my computer as a background. Were it not for the heat and humidity inside I would suggest the water, flat lilies and reflected ironwork are very cool.
La Coruna, Wild Flowers, Atlantic, Galicia: 26th May 2014
La Coruna was something of a surprise, particularly the unspoilt coastline of this lovely area of Galacia. At approximately one-and-a-half times the size of Wales, Galacia is not particularly on the British tourist map. Brits note its total rainfall compared with the rest of Spain opting instead for other areas of a hotter Spain with built-up coastlines. Perhaps they should consider Galacia's rainfall compared with Wales! We were so struck by the beauty of the region that we have already signed up to return in August. I commence with the huge diversity of wild flowers and progress to various views of the dramatic Roman lighthouse, the Tower of Hercules, from which the views of La Coruna are photographed.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, 22nd July 2014
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is one of those places one has to visit on a lovely day. Somehow seeing slightly tender plants on a grey day doesn't quite hit the mark. Thankfully this idyllic corner of coastal Dorset has its fair share of balmy days. Originating right back to 1765, the situation in a sheltered valley allows for some surprising results complemented by the high quality of the gardening force. As with all good visits I shall start with the tea rooms and progress onwards. There was a nice colonial feel here.
The position of Abbotsbury is beyond compare with splendid views down the East coast to the nearby Chesil Beach, the Fleet and Portland, and toward Hive Beach in the West. Follow the path called "Magnolia Walk" for very good reason.
Winter Solstice Narcissus "Hoops" - "Limey Lass", "Treble Chance", "Lemon Flare" & "Julia Jane": 21st December 2015
The 51% shareholder in the business has decreed that I cannot have an alpine house so I have to take my chances with the weather. This year Spring is busting out all over. Continuing to track some new dwarf narcissus, here are Narcissus "Limey Lass", "Treble Chance", "Lemon Flare", and "Julia Jane". There is little to differentiate them in colour save that, at its very earliest stage at least, "Lemon Flare" is a touch smaller and a deeper yellow, whereas "Julia Jane " has a slightly larger face. "Limey Lass" has flowered "together" whereas the others have, in their first year, tended to flower separately.
Would I purchase all the different varieties again? No. I would go for the cheapest. But then it is their first year and plants are notoriously difficult to assess first time round. And even as they burst individually into flower, missing out on the grand collective display, for a modest outlay and minimal effort, the combination of varieties do brighten up my winter table for the Winter solstice.
Would I purchase all the different varieties again? No. I would go for the cheapest. But then it is their first year and plants are notoriously difficult to assess first time round. And even as they burst individually into flower, missing out on the grand collective display, for a modest outlay and minimal effort, the combination of varieties do brighten up my winter table for the Winter solstice.
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