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Chelsea Physic Garden

lulu33

By lulu33

11 comments


My Dear husband organised an absolutely brilliant day out in London on Thursday as a little extra birthday treat! Not so little in fact as we bought each other presents (jeans, cd’s and a trip to Jo Malone (Yay!) AND a pretty dress!! We had sushi lunch and my little surprise was a trip to The Chelsea Physic Gardens which was founded in 1673. Many of the plants were brought to England from Asia and the Caribbean and thrive in the eco climate of the walled garden.

Chelsea was an interesting place, not only for the 60’s revolution of free love and colourful folk parading along the Kings Road but from the 1600’s when Royalty and those with their backing brought to Chelsea the first Tulip bulbs, more valuable than gold in those days!! Gardens sprung up along the banks of the Thames with Lavenders and herbs for the kitchen and apothecaries.

I took lots of photos but few were really interesting to include but here are a few of the better pics! I just loved this Monkey Puzzle tree, not a favourite usually but this was a fine specimen and was interesting to look at it close up.

Such a terrifying trunk don’t you think! Also the Colletia Paradoxa and Infausta were pretty scary. Someone asked if there was a sharp plant and this latter one is certainly it!!! Razor sharp!

There were some fascinating trees, this Paperback Maple for instance and a bit of meadow flowers by the pond. I keep meaning to de fertilize an area of grass and sow wildflowers but I know the dogs would dig it, play in it and flatten it!! Maybe some Colletia around the edge of the meadow would do the trick (I think not!)

The fruits on the next tree are from the Cornus Xanthocarpe. The tree looked seriously old but the light wasn’t good for a whole tree photo so I only took one of the fruit.

The veg stall was impressive too… yum yum yam!
And the Hibiscus flowers were bigger than my hand!


The next pic is of a white flower but couldn’t find a name for it, does anyone know? Looks like an eryngium, took alot of pics of those!!


I just love that white Eryngium Pandorifolium!!

What a brilliant day out, to be topped off by my favourite cocktails in the evening a couple of Negronis!!!!!!

More blog posts by lulu33

Previous post: Abbey House Gardens

Next post: Bean bag madness (for TT!)



Comments

 

3rd Pic from the end of your fascinating blog looks like a Cephalaria Gigantea. What a lovely hubby to plan such a nice surprise and thank you for sharing something most of us will never see in person.

31 Jul, 2010

 

Lovely birthday outing... and wonderful pics :o)

31 Jul, 2010

 

Great blog great photo.and you had great day.What more would one want

31 Jul, 2010

 

lovely blog & photos Lulu....

31 Jul, 2010

 

What a great treat, have heard so much about this place, maybe I will visit one day ! Nice blog, thanks.

31 Jul, 2010

 

Fascinating blog, Lulu! Belated birthday wishes to you and your OH too, glad you had such a great day out!

31 Jul, 2010

 

I have only just seen this lovely blog, the Physic Gardens are great. I'm glad you enjoyed your day.

7 Aug, 2010

 

Stunning blog, isn't that Monkey puzzle tree something! I haven't seen one before.

7 Aug, 2010

 

Yes it is the Monkey puzzle tree, Araucaria araucana. A lovely tree

7 Aug, 2010

 

I saw a monkey puzzle tree yesterday whilst being driven around and the whole tree was brown ! think it must be the drought we have had, how sad, it looked as if it had once been a fine specimin :0(

7 Aug, 2010

 

I think I'm right in saying this......that Jet, the jet you find on the beach at grimsby, is made out of petrified Monkey tree leaves!!

7 Aug, 2010

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