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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....

Wednesday Vignette


The amaryllis finally blooms, after the holiday of course. I have never gotten them to bloom in time for Christmas. This one seemed to be especially slow but they are always worth the wait.
 
Wednesday Vignette is hosted by Anna at Flutter and Hum.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. This is a good photo. It is almost 3D. I feel like I could touch it. I agree that these blooms are worth waiting for. I know a lady that kept them for her garden. She had a space full of them blooming in summer. Also a pretty sight.

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  2. Beautiful bloom!

    How are you (and your garden) faring in the below normal temps?

    Happy New Year!

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  3. What a gorgeous closeup of an Amaryllis, the color is so rich. Some year I'm going to try growing them.

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  4. Beautiful! Maybe next year I will get one.

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  5. A beautiful flower, indeed. I usually let the bulbs recoup in the garden over the summer, and they quickly adjust to their non-forced state. They seem to want to bloom in April or so, naturally. Anyway, they are so lovely, I'll take them whenever they are ready. :)

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  6. Gorgeous! Will you be able to plant this outside? I was surprised when I found I could plant potted amaryllis in my Alabama garden after they bloomed, and they would come up and bloom the next year! Just catching up with your previous post, and your garden is looking good.I love your choice of the Katsura tree! Best wishes for 2017!

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  7. Oh that's gorgeous. I just bought one of that color for the garden (50% off!). Here outdoors they bloom in April.

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  8. Just lovely! Mine has been extra slow too, but now I can see the petals, so it won't be too long now. I think I bought Apple Blossom this time.

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