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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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First Freeze



Last night the temperature dipped down to 29. Frosty patches covered most of the garden this morning and there is ice in the bird baths. It was enough to wither the tender annuals (begonias, petunias, sweet potato vine). It has been very chilly this week with highs in the 40s but there is sun and little wind so working outside has been pleasurable. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Kris PetersonNovember 9, 2022 at 5:53 PM

    And here we complain when temperatures drop into the low 60s ;)

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  2. AnonymousNovember 10, 2022 at 8:57 AM

    Beautiful photo. Is this one of Michael's pieces?
    chavli

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  3. Anna KNovember 12, 2022 at 7:37 AM

    Beautiful photo... and yes, it was pretty cold. Managed to get the sanseverias inside, but I think I need to get the begonias etc. under cover this weekend. Almost completely spaced on the houseplants this year - LOL! (They never like being in our dark house much, so that's probably why I subconsciously left them outside. Checking on them today...)

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