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The Newt (Somerset, England)

After Stourhead , the second garden on the tour that day was "The Newt". Talk about a change in garden styles! As I review my photos, I can appreciate the beauty and style of this garden, but I must confess, it was one of my least favorites.  I remember mostly the heat (it was one of our warmer days), the glaring sun with few trees in sight, and the commercial feel of the whole enterprise. But then again, this was mainly a vegetable garden and I was having an "off" day (I had just toured Stourhead, where I missed some of the main landmarks). The entrance took us through an area with gift shops and display areas (nice thing about photos is you see things you missed - I had not noticed the intricate ceiling design) - We did have an actual tour guide at this one, and he led us through the entire garden - Down a winding, blinding white walkway, towards the large vegetable garden - Leaving one vegetable garden, we headed up a grassy avenue with water features.  Along th...

Firecracker Vine



Firecracker Vine (Manettia cordifolia) brightens the otherwise drab late summer garden with its hot red flowers. The small tubular blooms are profuse and adorn a vigorous but well-mannered vine. (Think Cypress Vine but without the headache of the invasiveness.) Hummingbirds love it!

This plant came to me from my great aunt Lesbie who loved to garden as much as I do.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Great vine, Phillip! I'm always looking for plants for the hummingbirds and may try this as an annual next year as it wouldn't be hardy here in zone 5.

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  2. looking at the blooms that close they look like fish. i know i see everything different than the rest of the world! Hope all is well with you and yours!

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  3. LostRoses, it is hardy here and that is great.

    Carol, they do look like fishes!

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  4. One I've often thought about picking up, glad to hear it is well behaved.

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  5. I have never seen this vine before. I bet it is a Southern vine. It is pretty.

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  6. I need to give that a try next summer. I don't think I've ever seen it around here. Did you start it fram seed or buy it as a plant?

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  7. Casa, it was a plant given to me. I don't know if it is easily grown from seed.

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