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This morning, after a brief time in our own garden where
The Head Gardener has been replenishing and planting the beds either side of the Heligan Path;
sunlight brightened the Star of India clematis on the Gothic Arch;
and another example was suspended from the prunus pissardi above the orange hawkweed,
Jackie drove us to Spinners Garden at Boldre. This small privately-owned garden has a fine collection of rare plants in its tranquil woodland setting
overlooking the Lymington Valley.
Jackie was immediately taken with the blue cranesbill geraniums along the drive.
Although past their best, the rhododendron and azalea shrubberies still had much to offer.
Paths off the entrance drive held much promise.
There were different varieties of lace cap hydrangea;
many different ferns;
well stocked flower beds,
including a cornus controverta Variegata, or wedding cake tree,
and schizostylis or, if you must, Kaffir lily.
Other cornuses were plentiful.
Splendid trees soared above the shrubberies, where
camellia fruit pods glistened;
and in the shadier areas leaves of brunnera
and acer formed intriguing patterns.
Steps led up to the highest level,
where rodgersia shared their bed with wild orchids,
and white azaleas bore occasional signs of pink parentage.
Fed by a man-made stream
at a lower level lies a lily pond spanned by a wooden bridge.
Irises rise from the margins,
and damselflies and water boatmen flit around the lily pads.
From the cabin where we could buy tea and coffee, we watched gulls mobbing a tractor digging out soil to create a lake for a neighbour further down the slopes.
Aquilegias waved us farewell as we walked back to the car.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s delicious chicken jalfrezi, boiled rice, and parathas, followed by Helen’s sublime lime and ginger cheesecake.
Hope you are doing great, Derrick. Visiting you blog after a couple of weeks reminded me what I have been missing…. 🙂 Beautiful and vibrant pictures as always…the fern is amazing!
Many thanks, Maniparna. Good that you are back 🙂
You are welcome… 🙂
So green serene, peaceful. It must be a lot of fun for Jackie to wander among those rare plants… I found the large fiddlehead among the ferns almost alarming and especially enjoyed your photographic treatment of the three (and a half) lily pads.
Many thanks, Cynthia. She loved it; and, of course, I owe much of the identification to her.
Zoomed on Ma. How many ocular devices does one need? ?
Well spotted, Beck XX
I had to go back and look! 🙂
🙂
Wow, Derrick, you’ve transported us to garden heaven today. What a glorious day you and Jackie shared.
Thanks very much, Jill
Almost as lovely as your garden Derrick – I was taken by the ‘cornus controverta Variegata, or wedding cake tree’ as I’ve not seen or heard of that before – it looks rather spectacular. Becky’s comment caused me to go and have a closer gander at her ma – who does indeed appear to be determined that nothing will be missed! 😀 😀 😀
Many thanks, Pauline
It looks such a serene place to visit. Of course, your garden looks that way, too.
Thanks a lot, Merril
Great gardens!
Thank you, Cynthia
What powerful lenses you must have to capture such details and at such distances. If I live long enough I might take a course in photography, now that digital processing makes the hobby more affordable. For now I must be happy with the iPhone point and shoot. 🙂
Your garden doesn’t look too shabby, though it is smaller against Spinners’. Love the Cornuses – is that a white one in front of the pond?
Thanks, Mary. We think that could be a freshly planted cornus. My camera is only a point and shoot Canon SX700 HS. I had several attempts to get that shot in focus.
Have to say I prefer your garden – more colourful, cheaper and better catering! 😉
I really did LOL, Quercus. Thanks
Derrick, your blog is one that I always double click the photographs or I would miss too much. I’m going to look up the “Wedding Tree”.
Many thanks, Ginene
Wow, you should see all the wedding cakes fashioned to look like trees from my Google search. Who knew?
Wow indeed, Ginene. Thank you.
Opening your posts is akin to opening a beautiful gift.
That’s lovely, Leslie. Thank you very much
What a beautiful and peaceful garden to visit.
Many thanks, Miriam
Magical!
Thank you, Pleasant
What a beautiful garden. If I ever get lost in it, please don’t try to find me, but feel welcome to leave a slice of that lime and ginger cheesecake out for me with a bowl of milk, or I will trust your choice in wine pairings.. Enjoy – and thank you for sharing. Harlon
Many thanks, Harlon
Wow! It’s like an English rainforest!
Good description, John. Thanks
What a fabulous garden – I love wooded gardens. This one has everything … including a Monet bridge and water lilies – wonderful tour, thank you 🙂
Thanks, Peggy
What a marvelous place for wandering and reflection. Marvelous images and new plants for me to learn more about. I loved the fiddlehead fern shot, tautly curled and rusty. I adore ferns. What a stupendous garden.
Wishing you the best,
smiling toad
Thanks very much, smilingtoad
🙂
thank you for showing me round a garden I have not visited! And no, it doesn’t have to be K***** lily! Strange that it is in flower now – must be the odd season we are having
Thank you, Geoff
Pure heaven! Magical!
Thank you, Sofia
Thank you for sharing your meanders around this beautiful garden Derrick. I especially liked the footbridge. And one can never have too many glasses (eye or otherwise) at the ready Jackie.
Thanks very much, Brenda
Lovely day in photos all around. Glad to see your own coral bells are doing well; our own are finally thriving after two years of doing poorly. The Spinner’s garden was beautiful as well; almost overwhelming array of flowers and I especially appreciated the wee lace-leaf maple by the man-made stream. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, oglach
Loved this! The pond and water lilies are my favourites 🙂
Many thanks, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂