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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....
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Happy New Year!



It is sunny and cold today as I sit here watching the birds outside the window and contemplate an article assignment that is due in 5 days. Perhaps my New Year's resolution should be to stop procrastinating and get things done. I don't know, I think I might work better under pressure. :) The photo above is actually from 2007. We've already had some snow this winter and I'm sure we have more on the way in 2011.

I hope everyone had a nice New Year's Eve and Day. We were actually awake this year to see it in (unheard of, we are rather unexciting homebodies). We invited a few friends over for some chili and a game of Mexican Train dominoes and we had a great time. We toasted the New Year in with thunderstorms brewing outside as we had a quick sip of champagne and some kisses before getting back to our game.

Resolutions? I'm not making any this year. I'm hoping that we have a great gardening year and better weather this year. And please - no drought! I don't have any major projects in mind for the garden. I will be sharing some of my blog postings with Alabama Gardener magazine this year (as soon as I have the link for that, I will pass it along). I am also determined to update my regular website (A Southern Garden) as I have neglected it this year.

In the meantime, I wish all of you out there peace, health and happiness for 2011!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. C. C.January 2, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Happy New Year! Your blog inspires me, and I look forward to reading more in 2011.

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  2. serial tillerJanuary 2, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Happy New Year Phillip! I am hoping for a banner gardening year too and echo your sentiments. I wish you health and prosperity (and also to your garden!)

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  3. Rosedale GardensJanuary 2, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Happy great Gardening this year. Congratulations on the Alabama Gardener gig. I've been meaning to subscribe the magazine & hadn't gotten around to it. I'll have to now. Check out some new varieties of petunia, one call Black Velvet, another Phantom and one called Pinstripe. I saw them in the Jung Seed and White Flower catalogs. Mary

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  4. CarolJanuary 2, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Happy New Year Phillip! I work better under pressure too! May many blessings come your way in 2011!

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  5. Digital Flower PicturesJanuary 2, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    Happy New Year and will join with you hoping for a good upcoming season.

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  6. debsgardenJanuary 2, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Mexican Train! A friend introduced me to this game a couple years ago, and now I'm addicted. I also am hoping for no draught, and please, no tornados either, and could we keep the summer temps below 95?

    I look forward to reading your blog this year, and I am going to subscribe to Alabama Gardener, as well. Unfortunately, they already had enough Alabama bloggers when I sent for info, but I am on their back-up list if someone falls through. Thanks for putting a good word in for me. I do hope to break into the publishing world. My blog is my little toe dipped into the water!

    Have a great year, filled with many good gardening days!

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  7. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)January 3, 2011 at 1:52 AM

    Happy New Year, I managed to stay awake to see it in this year too.

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  8. DarlaJanuary 3, 2011 at 3:38 AM

    Regardless of the year or season, the entrance to your home is beautiful. Glad you ushered the New Year in with happiness, now that's a good start!

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  9. EveJanuary 3, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    Happy New Year Phillip to you ane yours! I second the no drought hope! Sometimes working under pressure brings out the best, don't try to change something that works! I look forward to seeing your spring gardens!

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  10. LesJanuary 3, 2011 at 4:23 AM

    Peace, health and happiness to you as well. I have been asked to blog for Va. Gardener and really need to get my first aritcle written.

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  11. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 3, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    Happy New Year Phillip. Love this photo. I will look forward to reading all you post about your lovely garden.

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  12. DJanuary 3, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    Phillip, we wish you and your family a Happy and healthy New Year filled with many blessings. Thank you for being a part of our 2010.

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  13. GailJanuary 3, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    Happy New Year Phillip to you and Michael~ No floods or droughts is all I ask~and one more thing: that the local nursery really offer dynamite plants this year! gail

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  14. still goodJanuary 4, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    Happy New Year, Phillip! We stayed up until midnight, too. I'm still surprised we made it. New Year's Eve is also the anniversary of when Todd and I met, 14 years ago now. What is Mexican Train?

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  15. Tallulah's Antique ClosetJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Hi Phillip, Your garden sure dosr look very pretty! And the snow just adds that much extra magic to the garden. From what I see in the pic. Have a good evening.............Julian

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