Visiting Rosemoor 3

 The pasties fired us with energy to explore more of the gardens and we headed back to a series of show gardens nearer to the entrance. We realised at this stage that it may have been better to explore these gardens first thing in the morning. By the afternoon more people were in the whole site and the proximity to the entrance meant that a small surge of people appeared each hour. Everyone was considerate and respectful so it was not a major issue.

We started with the Potager and Cottage Garden.

The cottage garden was much as we all visualise this to be. A colourful mixture of perennials and annuals with the addition of lots of vertical planting of roses and climbers on arches and trellises.

What I did find interesting was that this vision of a cottage garden is a Victorian innovation alongside the industrial revolution. Cottage gardens before then would have been far more productive with a tight mixture of fruit, vegetables and herbs.

Production and design is reflected much more in the Potager garden which demonstrates decorative and colourful fruit and vegetables in a symmetrical garden.

Vines adorn all the arches and ironwork.

 

Combined with these two gardens are a variety of tranquil and beautiful settings.

You may well look at these and wonder why I was worrying about the number of people around. I did have to wait patiently for folk to move out of view.

I loved this seating, a great place for a good chit chat!

Here’s a close up to conclude for now.  There are still 3 more gardens to show you!

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.

Visiting Rosemoor 1. The Fruit and Vegetable Garden

 I have membership to the RHS which I purchase each year with my Tesco Clubcard vouchers which allows you to buy it at a reduced rate. One of the main benefits is free admission to the the main RHS gardens and also allows free entry to one guest. There are at present 4 of these gardens across the country but the nearest to us (only just) is Rosemoor which is situated in Great Torrington, North Devon.

Farmer Husband and I recently made our second visit to Rosemoor (the last was some years ago) for the day. It is necessary at present to prebook for a set time. Although it is a good 2 hour journey we decided on the earliest slot at 10am so we were on our way promptly in the morning. We arrived in time for a coffee in the car park before opening.

Once in we headed for the woodland walk which skirted round to the far end of the site and into the kitchen gardens. These are a fantastic array of colours with a combination of flowering annuals mixed with the vegetables to attract a good selection of pollinators.

Colour is also added by the variety of different leaves and vegetables.

Arches of beans, sweet peas and squashes give an extra dimension.

The use of flowers such as calendula not only give a wonderful contrast of colour but also draw aphids away from valuable crops.

There are some interesting fun additions to the garden.

Bill and Ben but Little Weed has escaped!

There are also tranquil areas to sit. There is nothing quite as restful as the sound of running water.

Crops such as onions were ready to harvest and were drying out on the ground. There was produce for sale with an honesty box. We bought a delicious cucumber. What I particularly liked was the good labelling of all varieties as seen here on the onions.

You know I can’t resist a doorway view.

These artichokes also made a good show.

More to follow soon.

Another Race against the Weather

 Yesterday was one of those really hot and sticky days when you don’t really feel like doing anything. Life isn’t quite like that for farmers. Brother in Law had been out to look at the wheat and finding it ready to cut he rang for the combine harvester. It was here straight after lunch.

There was only an afternoon’s work but they cracked on because it was likely that thunderstorms were on their way. Meanwhile the neighbouring farmer was also cutting his wheat. They certainly weren’t going to waste any time because they had 3 combines!

Take a careful look at the picture above and below and you can see all 4 combines amidst the dust. An extremely rare sight around here.

I didn’t actually get to see them as I was visiting my mum and we were sat under her fig tree trying to find some shade. Farmer Daughter grabbed my camera and so these pictures are courtesy of her.

The thunderstorms started around 8pm.

The SPSH Link Up

Before I start this post I must apologise for the underlining in some of the type. I am having an intermittent issue with Blogger that I can’t solve. After several frustrating attempts to get rid of it I have had to continue and try and ignore it.

I am a few days late joining in with Patio Postcards SPSH link up but here are a few of my finds.

7. Something that displays a rule.

This sign is displayed outside our local post office.

Social distancing instructions have become the norm

I liked this polite and humorous request at RHS Rosemoor in their newly constructed Cold Garden where the water feature is a key part.

There is even a penguin to reinforce the instructions which is ideal for Alternative A.No. 9 is Something that starts with the initial of your name.  These poppies are just right for that.

No 14 Something with wheels. When Tiggy settled down on the tractor in the field at the bottom of the garden it seemed the ideal opportunity.

The rest of these were found on a trip to the gardens at The Newt.

No. 16 Rough Texture. Another tree trunk spotted in a garden.

No. 18 Something that can go in water. These swans are on the lake at Hestercombe Gardens.

No. 19 A stone/ rock / pebble with some colour in it. These rich colours stones were in a lot of the stone work at Hestercombe Gardens.

The heat is intense here today so I suspect after getting some jobs done I shall be having a bit of a sit down after lunch and hope to catch up with a few blogs.