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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....

Stewartia Fall Color

 


Fall color on Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia). This tree was planted four years ago.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Lovely fall color, even better with the pergola's structure and green foliage not yet turning as a backdrop. I read small and slow-growing--perfect for specimen. "Intolerant of drought" so not for CA.

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  2. Just gorgeous! Fall colors are just about my favorite thing on earth. I miss them already!

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