The garden-visiting season has started in earnest. This last month saw the Gardening Club visiting two very different gardens.
Firstly we visited the Savill & Valley Gardens in Windsor Great Park. Barbara Harper writes “A lovely day – such a lot to see! Azaleas and spring planting in herbaceous borders were very colourful. The temperate house had some brilliant colouring. Roses were not out but the landscaping of the new beds was much admired. The alpine garden was looking particularly good with many interesting plants. Of particular interest was the bog planting by the stream. The huge gunnera provided a very good photo opportunity for the relevant Annual Show photography section. After lunch we were taken by coach over to the Valley Gardens. The ride itself was exciting as we passed the Polo Grounds and we all looked to see if there were any well-known figures there! Again the azaleas were in full bloom and there were many interesting trees, including the handkerchief tree. The more hardy of us walked down to the lake.”
Then we went to Hardwick House in Fen Ditton. Sadly the strange weather we have endured over the past few months had taken its toll on the garden here but the knowledgeable owner showed us around with great enthusiasm! We rounded off our visit to the local hostelry where it was good to chat to fellow gardeners in a relaxed atmosphere.
