Visiting Rosemoor 2 : Following up the Stream

 Our walk around RHS Rosemoor took us along by the lake before we followed the stream up to the other part of the gardens.

The stream provides a lush area for growing a variety of plants particularly those that favour damp conditions.This area is known as the stream field and rock gully.

The series of ponds and small waterfalls create a picturesque scene that any gardener would be jealous of.

The gardens are built either side of a fairly busy road. The entrance, visitor centre and new gardens which are generally set out as show gardens were all developed in the late 1980s when the site was gifted to the RHS.  Access  to the other older side is via an underpass. This is really one of the few points where it is essential to keep to one side and really to keep moving to allow social distancing. I would have liked to linger longer to look at these bamboo plants which tower above everyone. I was able to quickly read that they tolerate very low temperatures (sub zero) and take about 20 years to grow to this height.

The path follows the route of the stream through an almost tropical area. 

It is not long then before you are in Lady Anne’s historic garden looking down towards the house. The house was originally bought by Lady Anne Berry’s parents as a salmon fishing lodge in the early 1930s. It was not until the late 1950s that she began to really develop the garden. 

The house itself is now let as holiday apartments, a truly idyllic place to spend a few days and relax at a price!

Imagine having all this to yourself once the visitors went home.

There is an exotic area close to the house. These are a taster of some of the plants.

You can imagine my pleasure at finding so many photogenic plants.

Lady Anne’s mother created the oldest part of the garden in the 1930s known as The Stone Garden.

Our journey then led us around the Bicentenary Arboretum past a copper summerhouse.  

Then past the 18th Century gazebo that has been brought from another garden.

The weather wasn’t perfect on the day of our visit. We had several showers of rain which created interesting patterns in the cobwebs.

We then returned to the new side of the gardens where we decided it was time for lunch. A socially distanced cafe van had been set up in the field where pasties and other goodies were for sale. It did not take us long to decide that the purchase of a pasty and coffee would be a good way to support their funds and refresh us.

Our afternoon wanderings will follow shortly.