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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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Yard n' Garden Land

I really should not be too surprised that there is a fantastic nursery close to our house. But to have one only six blocks away can only mean one thing - trouble.  I was aware of Yard n' Garden Land - the previous owner of our house had mentioned it and I had driven by the back of it on one of the numerous trips to one of our greatest Pacific Northwest discoveries - Burgerville. However, the back of Yard n' Garden Land, which faces 99th Street, is deceiving. There is a undistinguished sign and a mulch yard and that is about all you can see. To get to the entrance to the nursery, you have to turn onto a side street. 

 After you enter the parking area which features an impressive array of pottery, you enter a spacious greenhouse filled with all kinds of goodies. Adjoining the greenhouse is a gift shop filled with everything a gardener could want. Outside the greenhouse are lots filled with trees, shrubs and conifers. 

 Today was my third trip to Yard n' Garden Land. It was a beautiful day and I strolled though the entire place making notes on plants I like. I then go home and research them online and try to decide what I want the most. Our space is more limited so I want to make careful decisions. That is hard to do when you are impulsive and want everything. I wonder if there is a support group...
Roses! My first love and I have to confess, despite my yearning to grow plants that I could not grow in the South, I will not give up the roses. Yard n' Garden Land will be having a free seminar on rose growing this coming Saturday at 10am. I plan to be there.
 
Camellias are another favorite that I will not push aside. Michael and I were
astounded by the luscious red "Tom Knudsen."

 
I am excited about growing more conifers. Maybe it is in my Southern roots, but I really like pine trees. This jewel is Pinus contorta "Chief Joseph" and I want it badly. It is very expensive though. I believe the price tag was $130! I saw this growing at The Oregon Garden.


 
A weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

Another one for the wish list - Sumac "Tiger Eyes". Michael really likes this. I am not sure about it yet. I have read that it tends to sucker so the jury is still out.

I really like Japanese Skimmia (Skimmia japonica). I saw some
beautiful specimens when we were staying in Portland.
 
Ranunculus was one of the first plants I tried to grow (unsuccessfully) in Alabama. 

 
Beautiful geraniums


 
Euphorbias are very popular here.


 
Pansies and primroses

I think I like him.
 
Thyme




So, my truck is supposed to be on the way tomorrow from Alabama and I hope to have it next week. Just in time! :)

 Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. EveFebruary 17, 2016 at 6:50 PM

    Oh my!!!! This is getting good!. Yes to Tiger Eyes! If you have a place. Unless you only have room for the crow! I really think you need him! Have fun Saturday! Can't wait to see your list!

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  2. http://whatsitgarden.blogspot.comFebruary 17, 2016 at 6:56 PM

    It's my local as well ! I was just there buying compost and two sweet Saxifriga .

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverFebruary 17, 2016 at 7:09 PM

      Cool! If you see a guy with his mouth hanging open, it will probably be me!

      Delete
  3. NicFebruary 17, 2016 at 6:59 PM

    Lovely plants! That camellia really is a stunner, and I am always jealous of how they get primroses in big flats in milder parts of the country, like in Europe. Here for some reason they are usually sold in oversized and at ridiculous prices as if they were hellebores or somethimg of the sort.

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  4. Cindy, MCOKFebruary 17, 2016 at 8:37 PM

    Exciting times ahead for you! Next year y'all should make the trip to Seattle for the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. I'm here until Friday and it is well worth the trip from Texas ... even if I can't grow most of the plants!

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  5. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 18, 2016 at 4:31 AM

    My heart went pitty patter just seeing pictures of this place. I can imagine how you feel being there knowing that all of these garden goodies are within reach. Now if you wallet and space just cooperate. You have so much fun ahead. You have given me a bad case of the wants. It will be so much fun for you to grow things that you admired but couldn't grow in your AL garden. Enjoy the experience.

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  6. RobinLFebruary 18, 2016 at 1:56 PM

    I've been meaning to ask if they had given you a time frame for the arrival of your belongings. I'd be worried! We moved from Detroit to Columbus, and it was only three days, so three weeks would freak me out a bit. I'm glad to hear that your things may arrive soon.

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  7. outlawgardenerFebruary 18, 2016 at 11:11 PM

    A neighborhood nursery...You're in trouble mister! Tiger eyes can sucker but mine has been in the ground for three years now and hasn't sent up a single sucker. If you're worried about that, it will grow very nicely in a pot. About that support group - If you find one, please let me know!

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  8. chavlinessFebruary 25, 2016 at 11:23 AM

    Phillip, we are your support group!
    I've been drooling over Chief Josef for many years. The price tag is always high and lately I heard it's a bit temperamental. But I still love it, from a distance. I also love my euphorbias. Some may be too vigorous (not to say invasive), but as you are doing your homework reading up on them, you should be okay.

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