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Why the WI??

55 comments


Some of you may remember that when my garden was open for the NGS for the very first time on June, that the local WI were kind enough to organise teas here. They did it very well, too!

Well, they were off on a coach trip last Wednesday, and had spare seats, so I got an invitation to join them! Where to?

Compton Acres Gardens in Dorset!

Of course, I jumped at the chance to see these famous gardens without the hassle of a long car journey…so I thought you might like to take a brief look at them from the comfort of your own home!

The gardens are in a valley near the south coast at Poole. From the highest point, where there’s a convenient cafe, you can see Poole Harbour. A lovely view while we got some lunch!

Off we went to explore the 10 acres of gardens, which date from the 1920s. The series of smaller gardens include a woodland walk, a Japanese garden, three Italianate gardens, a fantastic water garden and a rockery to take your breath away.

Around every bend, the view was different.

Water gardens had wonderful Koi Carp – some golden ones – to be admired, as well as beautiful water lilies.

Mature trees towered above us – fortunately, as the original mansion owned by the creator of the gardens had long been demolished, and appartment blocks built in its place.

There were surprises, too – in the form of sculptures. I loved this tiger!

Many borderline plants were obviously hardy here, like this Convulvulus sabatius. Mine didn’t make it through the winter!

In the Roman garden, the atmosphere changed. This was a formal garden, with a central rectangular lily pond, surrounded by beds of red begonias, and these beautiful urns, with flowers spilling out. Of course, there were statues here as well – of Bacchus as a youth and at the other end, as a man with his grapes, and wine flowing from his goblet!

This was my favourite garden – the rock garden. Oh! the colours and beautiful planting there! Where to look first was the problem. I could have lingered here for hours.

But it was time to make our way – slowly – back to the coach. On the way, I spotted these Geraniums…would the Plant Centre have them?

And such a blue, blue Hydrangea!

So to the Plants…and you know I can’t go past a Plant Centre! I didn’t find that beautiful geranium I saw, but I did buy a new one called ‘Sandrine’. Its only open flower fell off on its travels – but I’ll show you a photo when the next bud opens. It’s purple with a black centre! yummy

An Erodium chrysanthum for my new bed…

And a beautiful Toad Lily – Tricytis hirta ‘Tojen’.

I think all of us were tired when we arrived back in the village, but what a lovely day out!

Thanks, WI. That’s why!

More blog posts by spritzhenry

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Comments

 

Wow, Spritz, how lucky can U get. A fantastic trip & such beauty. Must be wonderful to create all this beauty.

15 Aug, 2009

 

Hi Spritz.Love the tiger too.Thanks for this lovely blog!

15 Aug, 2009

 

What a treat Spritz,it looks a wonderful place and obviously well maintained,my idea of a good day out,enjoyed the blog and lovely photo,s,thanks for sharing.....

15 Aug, 2009

 

Wow! Lucky you what a lovely place, thankyou for taking the time to show us it's a real treat when we live so far away, and if we are ever in the area it gives us ideas on where to go too.

15 Aug, 2009

 

It is nice when some people appreciate you for your kindness and contribution what a delightful thought of offering you a tour of such picturess sights thank you for the tour around what must been a thoroughly enjoyable day for you good of you to share it with us

16 Aug, 2009

 

I would love to visit that garden, but your photos were the next best thing, thanks Spritz. Glad you had a good time

16 Aug, 2009

 

Good photos that show lovely gardens !!!
I've not been either so these were indeed the next best thing :)

16 Aug, 2009

 

Great blog Spritz.... very much enjoyed the tour thank you... sounds like you had a great day out... and i love the colour of your new toad lily.....

16 Aug, 2009

 

looks like a fantastic day out. the photos are brilliant.
thanks for sharing xx

16 Aug, 2009

 

A lovely day out for your, Spritz, the gardens look wonterful
The Erodium chrysanthum has gone onto my 'wants' list - it's getting far too long - and what a beautiful Tricytis.

16 Aug, 2009

 

I enjoyed the walk B. but I'm ready for a cuppa now. The Roman garden was quite intriguing but I agree the rock garden looks stunning. Shame they didn't have that new Geronimo, will you be able to get it anywhere else?
Thanks for taking us with you. :~))

16 Aug, 2009

 

They offered the trip to someone they knew would appreciate it :) Lovely blog and photo's ,many thanks.

16 Aug, 2009

 

enjoyed the tour spritz so lovely and lucky you getting to go,i especially liked the water gardens, its something about water and plants together that is so relaxing, great pics thanx :o)))

16 Aug, 2009

 

Thanks for the tour....I live 30 miles from Compton Acres, but I've never been......pencilled it in for next weekend.

16 Aug, 2009

 

Very nice blog. I'm sure you picked up lots of new ideas and more plants for your wishlist.

16 Aug, 2009

amy
Amy
 

What a wonderful day Barbara , so much to see ,so little time , how kind of the WI to ask you ... they will be asking you to give a talk on gardening in exchange or have you already done that ? ........

16 Aug, 2009

 

Thanks for taking us to beautiful Compton Acres Barbara. It must be well over 30 years since I visited but it has always remained in my mind as a lovely garden. I have not heard of it for a long time and assumed it was no longer in existence. Wonderful blue hydrangea. Definitely on my 'to visit' list now!

16 Aug, 2009

 

Thanks for taking us round those lovely gardenswhat a lovely day out for you.

16 Aug, 2009

 

Thanks Spritz for sharing this lovely blog and pics with us....

16 Aug, 2009

 

love the garden thanks for the photos...the tiger is lovely

16 Aug, 2009

 

Thanks for all the lovely comments! I'm glad you enjoyed the tour...

Oh - Amy! I'd be terrified facing them all to do a talk! What on earth could I say?

Guess what! I think I HAVE that geranium I liked so much - a recent purchase. It's called 'Salome'. Mine now has one flower - and I'm sure it's the same! Yippee!! (Jumping up and down with excitement!!) :-))))

16 Aug, 2009

 

Great day out spritz. Lost your convolvulus? Tut, tut. Have some of mine. As for giving a talk to the W.I. - just tell them what is involved in getting into, and the lead-up to opening for, the Yellow Book!

16 Aug, 2009

 

It would be just like writing a blog or giving a lesson in a classroom, I'm sure a woman of your fine calibre could manage it with your eyes closed. Perhaps it would be the best way to do it (with your eyes closed) Lol :~))

16 Aug, 2009

 

Oh Andrew! How cruel! Louise has it safe, as well!

I have NOT been asked to do a talk - so the question of doing it doesn't arise, fortunately, eyes open OR shut!

I shall attempt to make YOU jealous now, Andrew! - take a look at the July RHS magazine, the article by Roy Lancaster on the Nursery - well, guess where I went today! They have such 'different' plants there, too. I know you collect unusual ones....have a browse on their website!

16 Aug, 2009

 

Not yet......... Lol
Anyone got the phone no. of Spritz's local WI?

16 Aug, 2009

 

Hmmm....:-((

16 Aug, 2009

 

Lol :~))

16 Aug, 2009

 

Great blog Spritz. What a lovely place. Like Bonkers, I liked the tiger as well as the flowers. Thanks for sharing with us.

17 Aug, 2009

 

What a lovely place to go for a trip. I remember going there some years ago. It's fascinating. Glad you enjoyed your day and how kind of the WI to invite you.

17 Aug, 2009

 

Pity they didn't have a spare place when they went to Highgrove to see Prince Charles' gardens in July, wasn't it! :-((

17 Aug, 2009

 

Bet you could have told him a thing or two Barbara!

17 Aug, 2009

 

Maybe next year :o)

17 Aug, 2009

 

They had to book up - there's a waiting list of almost TWO YEARS apparently!! Then when they went, I was told that the group was taken round raaaaaather fast, no stragglers allowed, no time to 'stand and stare'...so I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it, much...

17 Aug, 2009

 

spritz - I nearly went there too. I was planning to go as they were opening for the Yellow Book yesterday but I was doing some work on my 'Bit on the Side' and by the time I'd finished, it was too late. And to think I'd have been to a good Nursery AND met you!!

17 Aug, 2009

 

Oh - what a shame, Andrew! Next time they have an Open Day...we'll have to plan a meeting-up! I got that Uvularia grandiflora there, and some more lovely shade plants. :-)

Ther were lots and lots of people there - they must have made a lot of money for the NGS.

17 Aug, 2009

 

Another must see garden to add to my list! great pics Spritz.

18 Aug, 2009

 

Thanks. I enjoyed it! :-)

19 Aug, 2009

 

Thankyou for the lovely inspirational tour!Now where's my graph paper...got to put some of those features in my plan.

19 Aug, 2009

 

LOL. Have you got a crane to lift the HUGE rocks into position, Rhodea?

19 Aug, 2009

 

Makybe I can get the foam ones.Lol

20 Aug, 2009

 

That'll be interesting - make sure you post some photos - we could guess whether they're real or not! lol.

20 Aug, 2009

 

Glad you had such a lovely day out, Spritz!

The WI ladies did you proud with their cream teas on your open days!!!!!

I've seen pics of this garden before, courtesy of "Greenfingers", and love the oriental garden!

As usual, stunning plant pics, for me to drool over. :-)

20 Aug, 2009

 

It was difficult to choose which photos to post, David!

They really did do the teas well, didn't they - and they've promised to do it all again next year. :-))

20 Aug, 2009

 

That's all I need to hear, for a return trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:-)

20 Aug, 2009

 

Oooh! Really? You'll see my new bed, David! I'll have to post the dates for next year as soon as we've decided. I think it will be about the same time of year, though.

20 Aug, 2009

 

Gr8!

Will book my summer hols for sunny Somerset now! I want to see all the fab places around there, too! :-)

20 Aug, 2009

 

Pleased to hear you had such a good visit to the garden. You've taken some lovely pics.

There's a programme on BBC2 at present regarding Open Gardens and the process involved in getting into the Yellow Book - has anyone seen it?

23 Aug, 2009

 

Yes! Seeing a couple of those programmes when they were first broadcast put me off applying - it was two GOY-ers who came to visit my garden who 'shoved' me into going for it! (they are already in the NGS).

The assessment wasn't nearly so scary as it looks on the BBC, though.

23 Aug, 2009

 

The assessment does look scary, I agree. The County Organisers, initially, look quite fierce!

23 Aug, 2009

 

The trouble is that the programmes are made to be interesting to the viewers - 'will they, won't they get in'...so there obviously has to be some acting going on!

23 Aug, 2009

 

There's a lot of drama the BBC have introduced into those progams. For a start, the County organisers aren't fierce old battleaxes - they actually WANT new gardens but the gardens have to be up to a certain standard, there has to be serious consideration given to Health and Safety issues, and there must be enough parking nearby. Also, the assessments are done the previous year because of the deadlines for getting the Yellow Book published so it is not a case of an assessment and then open a couple of months later.

23 Aug, 2009

 

Have been watching Open Gardens avidly, think we will give it a try later this year, loved your visit Spritz, we are not too far as the crow flies!!! the garden certainly has a lot of interest.
Andrew we were surprised a very small garden went into the book (you had to enter through the ladies house, so private bookings were the only ones allowed)

24 Aug, 2009

 

I was surprised, too - normally, as you know, a garden has to have 45 minutes of interest to be accepted. I think they do make exceptions for very special gardens, though.

I have to admit that I wouldn't want people traipsing through my house, though! That lady was very brave!

Go for it, Dd!! :-))

25 Aug, 2009

 

As you say spritz, the NGS do make exceptions on the 45 minutes of interest rule. I think they tend to do that for city gardens to show what can be achieved in a small plot

25 Aug, 2009

 

Andrew I would imagine your right there.

27 Aug, 2009

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