Special Plants Nursery (Chippenham, England)
Our third day was a busy one as we left our first hotel in Bath and traveled to Wells. There were several stops along the way, the first being Special Plants Nursery in Chippenham, England. It was a warm day. The nursery is owned by former Oregonian Derry Watkins, who moved to England decades ago when she married an Englishman. She is a plant collector and has traveled all over the world, her favorite place being South Africa. That is Derry in the above photos talking to our group. The house and garden are located on a steep hill with idyllic countryside surrounding it. She says the garden was designed by her architect husband and she has filled it with her favorite plants, mostly tender perennials that she has collected from her plant-hunting expeditions. Most of the beds are terraced and many plants are grown in gravel. The garden is also enhanced with some striking ornaments - Lower island beds proceed downhill - A bog garden - At the bottom of the property is a woodland walk....
I would certainly give that room in my garden; wonderful photo.
ReplyDeleteZoë
I have some growing by a Russian Sage plant. I didn't know it was widely known as a good place for them. It happened quite by accident here no doubt. I have never heard them called leopard plants either. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful lily!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of a delicate orchid for some reason...
I had a picture of this lily on my blog a few weeks ago. I didn't know what it was. Tina from In the Garden blog, told me it was a Blackberry Lily. Sometimes my neighbor plants things in my garden to surprise me. He is away on vacation for a few weeks, so I have not been ablr to ask him if it was him. Thank you for posting the info on it.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe your blackberry Lily is already blooming. Mine do not even have a hint that a bloom is coming. Isn't is strange how things can flower in one area weeks before one farther south?
ReplyDeleteJan
Always Growing
Phillip, it's one of my favorite plants...I love how the little flower curls up after blooming! I have it in yellow and orange... ut haven't seen the yellow yet...I will look for it now!
ReplyDeletegail
Thanks all! Skeeter, it does look like an orchid, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteGail, I've never seen the yellow in person. They sell it here - http://www.lazyssfarm.com/Plants/Perennials/B%20files/B_images/belamcanda_hello_yellow.htm
I've ordered from this nursery and they have nice, healthy plants.
It is a show stopper. I think these would look good at the back of my shed. We get strong morning sun there but shade in the afternoon. I might give a try. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteNow how wierd, I just took a pic of mine yestersay, to post later this week! They are pretty aren't they?
ReplyDeleteIt looks a bit like toad lilies doesn't it? I tried it once but had no luck. Urrr. Sure is pretty.
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