Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
Unexpected sunshine this afternoon at the RHS gardens at Wisley in Surrey. More than a whiff of spring, with plenty of colourful bulbs coming through (the crocus especially), some stunning camellias and the odd rhododendron too. Hellebores are still going strong, the Alpine House as usual, is captivating. Old favourites - Edgworthia chrysantha and the…
Continue reading ➞ Sunshine at RHS Wisley, Surrey (Part I)
I visited the David Austin nursery in Albrighton at the end of March last year for a garden design course. Obviously designing with roses was the theme, although the principles we covered are pretty much universal. I've studied design as part of my RHS training and this was a great opportunity to meet other rose-lovers,…
Continue reading ➞ Designing with Roses…
There is a particular plant I always look out for, on a lower path on Battleston Hill within the RHS Gardens at Wisley and I'm always superbly pleased to see it in flower, starry and bright, with clove-like fragrance. Anticipating the flowers, it is also lovely in bud, on upwardly ascending bare stems: miniature, silky…
Continue reading ➞ Edgworthia chrysantha
The dates for the 2013 show have been confirmed as Friday 12 April – Saturday 13 April, in the Lawrence Hall, Westminster, London. There will be a preview on Thursday evening, 11 April. See spectacular orchids from the world's finest specialist growers & beautiful botanical art. • Discover stunning displays of tropical and hardy orchids…
Continue reading ➞ RHS London Orchid Show & Botanical Art Show
Delighted to know that buying an annual membership to the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshire (£31), also entitles you to free access to the gardens at Kew and Wakehurst Place, amongst others (because of their reciprocal arrangements). I know I'll be back to the Hampshire gardens (magnolia time, summer for the Centenary Border, autumn…
Continue reading ➞ Membership deal for Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Kew
A first visit to this extraordinary 200 acre garden - and a random gallery of photographs to be getting along with... More information at www3.hants.gov.uk/hilliergardens/hillier-gardens.htm
Always a treat to visit this theatrical little garden centre, overlooking the water meadows (by the river, between Richmond and Ham Common). Extraordinary furniture and objets at jaw-droppingly obscene prices (part of the fun of the place), great cafe and good plant choices. I bought some big Hydrangea Annabelle there last summer, with huge football…
Continue reading ➞ Petersham Nurseries
Hellebores on my mind at the moment, unsurprisingly. 'Candylove' looking particularly extravagant today at Syon, 'Anna's Red' on the dining room table (substituting for roses) and itself getting set to be photographed tomorrow along with Penny's Pink (both from the stable of Devon man, Rodney Davey). I'm expecting to see a multitude at the RHS…
Continue reading ➞ Hellebores all the way!
The February RHS Plant & Design Show is on again at the Horticultural Halls in London next Tuesday and Wednesday (19th & 20th February 2013). If not only for the nurseries and plants on show, Lawrence Hall is worth a visit as it is a quite extraordinary exhibition space. Lawrence Hall in Greycoat Street, Westminster…
Continue reading ➞ Lawrence Hall, RHS Plant & Design Show
The Teddington Gardener 