The Garden Community for Garden Lovers

Magnificent Magnolias and an Amazing Garden

49 comments


Little did I realise the treat that was in store when I visited Knightshayes Court, Devon.
I had never been before but with the sun shining in a blue sky, I thought I would make the 7 mile detour from the M5 on my way home.

[you might want to make a cup of tea at this point ~ sorry there are quite a few photos]

I was pointed first in the direction of the walled garden:
the Victorian garden has been restored, it is huge!

The polytunnel at 100 yards by 30 yards was the biggest I had ever seen ~ its bigger than my house and garden!!

With its seating area in the centre by the herbs Im sure it would have been perfect for a rest and cup of herbal tea!

There is one full time gardener, two seasonal workers and the rest of the work is done by volunteers ~ all credit to them, it was immaculate:

not a weed in sight!

And here is the very proud Henry, sharing his space with ducks, chickens and geese:

All down one side was the rhubarb, doing well I thought considering this is only mid March!

Having been somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer hard work and perfection of the walled garden I walked back towards the flower gardens, nearer to the house, I love the brilliance of the colour of these:

Admittedly in a couple of weeks time this will come into its own and be a picture, nevertheless I loved its symmetry and in particular the two wonderfully shaped trees at the back:

Cut into the hedge that enclosed three sides of one of the smaller lawns were ten leaping dogs ~ great fun! I’m sorry they are not very clear in the photo [I could only fit three into this picture]

I always think celandines mean Spring is really here!

I have to confess that although the more formal gardens are wonderfully planned and maintained this is what I really love ~ a wild bank with moss, daffodils, chinodoxa, cyclamen, fritillarias and many others:

I’m sorry to say I don’t know the name of these:

But they make a lovely blue carpet:

With the sun shining in a beautiful sky I was thoroughly enjoying myself and felt I had already seen a lovely garden when round the corner I spotted a rather hastily written sign saying ‘Magnolias this way’; not knowing quite what to expect I followed the sign.

I am so glad I did!!! They almost took my breath away! I had never seen such huge flowers and so magnificent. This was the first of many:

Just to give you some idea of the size of these I held a daisy next to one:

Across the glade the darker pink magnolia tree almost glowed, soaring into the sky:

The sheen of the petals gleaming through:

Like pink silken cloth:

Do you think heaven is decorated like this?

Perfection in pink:

Apologies for the amount of photos of these but I couldn’t quite believe my eyes!

It was hard to tear myself away but I wandered on into the woodland garden and was lucky enough to spot the dark red trilliums:

Camellias just coming into flower:

No colour yet on this acer and I was sorry not to see it in the green, and yet it still holds a fascination with its wonderful twisted branches:

Views and surprises around almost every turn and path:

The wonderful Gothic mansion of Knightshayes Court:

I spent so long in the garden I had little time to look round the house [ I should have been back on the motorway an hour ago!!] but what I saw was fascinating and beautiful.

Cedar trees have long been a favourite of mine:

Borders of promise for summer colour:

I felt so lucky to have had such fabulous weather and then to find so many lovely surprises, those magnolias were like discovering the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

No visit would be quite complete without checking out the cafe, housed in the old stable block, now what shall I have?
Healthy tomato and beetroot soup:

or a meringue nearly as big as the magnolias?

I shall definitely visit this lovely place again:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes-court/

More blog posts by stickitoffee

Previous post: Winter sun and colour ~ you may need your sunglasses?!

Next post: A green and very pleasant land



Comments

 

Fantastic blog from start to finish...Love Magnolia. Did you have both the soup and meringue ?

29 Mar, 2012

 

what do you think?

29 Mar, 2012

 

Great blog and great photos, Sticki.
Those deep pink magnolias are just delicious! What a lovely place. Thankyou for sharing it with us.

29 Mar, 2012

 

Fantastic blog Sticki. Those Magnolias are beautiful but the whole garden is wonderful. No weeds !!

29 Mar, 2012

 

Only one word can sum this AMAZING!! Those magnolias are beautiful!! That wee snack looked delicious :).
I think most of us would have been taken aback by this beautiful garden!

29 Mar, 2012

 

What a fantastic place, and the house and food looked pretty good too :) Lovely blog.

29 Mar, 2012

 

What a fantastic place, just love that walled garden & everything else (including the soup) saved to favs & on list of where to visit.
Many Thanks for the blog, great.

29 Mar, 2012

 

To my great surprise ~ and no doubt yours Pimms I only had the soup!!!! [but i couldnt resist a photo of the meringues whilst i was queuing]

Thank you Oji, Cinderella, Scottish, Gee
I hope you can visit it Willinilli, they were explaining to me that they are not allowed a sign on the motorway as they dont get enough visitors!!!!!????

There was a lovely choice on the menu and some very nice plants you could buy too ~ not too expensive either.

29 Mar, 2012

 

Lovely ,Lovely ! What a wonderful place..Those Magnolias are awesome.and loved the huge poly tunnel..so neat!
Glad you didn't let the side down,and managed to find time for sustenance :o))))))) .great blog and pics,Sticki..

29 Mar, 2012

 

I can only think of one comment and it is OH WOW!!

29 Mar, 2012

 

Fantastic blog as ever, Sticki. I'd heard of Knightshayes, but whenever we're "out west" there are so many things to fit in. However, I've now seen it with you, so thanks for the great photos!

29 Mar, 2012

 

Amazing blog Sticki - and those magnolias - wow. Thanks for sharing.

29 Mar, 2012

 

Well I was trying to find something I did not like.......and there was nothing, loved it all, something for everyone, and to such a high standard, a perfect day, some wonderful photographs, thank you very much.......

29 Mar, 2012

 

Fabulous blog Sticks, the photo's are amazing.... Heavenly!

29 Mar, 2012

 

Oh, thank you! Bloomer, steragram, sheila, sheilar, DD and val.
I said wow when I turned the corner and saw those magnolias, never seen anything like it before! I had no idea that's what I was going to see.

29 Mar, 2012

 

What an amazing place Sticki, best garden I have seen and those magnolias and trilliums............... wow, fab blog.

29 Mar, 2012

 

Thank you GM, I'm glad you liked it, well worth a visit if you ever get the chance.

30 Mar, 2012

 

I knew you had resisted temptation Sticki..Glad to see butter on that bread roll though..Pink silken cloth Magnolia is my Fave...

30 Mar, 2012

 

very nice blog Stiki, lovely set of pics too, i love the old cedars too :-))

30 Mar, 2012

 

I too like the more informal look in the garden, BUT after saying that the formal lay out and the magnificent well kept walled gardens were absolutely stunning, I could not have felt more like wanting to come and visit this place after reading your blog. You should be a tourist guide for them this place was truly amazing, I wish I lived near to it, I would love to walk around there, think I might need more than one day to visit though, it is amazing. Your pictures are impressive, I loved everyone of them and I had no wish to make a cuppa at all whilst looking through it. Thank you so much for putting this brilliant blog on, I loved it cannot think which would be my favourite picture because they are all stunning. thank you again. - :o)

ps: I would have had the soup and the meringue lol :o)

30 Mar, 2012

 

If Heaven ISN'T decorated like that, then it jolly well should be! Simply perfect, Sticki! (specially the meringue)

30 Mar, 2012

 

might be my favourite too pimms, and yes i do like butter!

thanks surreylad, i find myself taking lots of pictures of them, cant help myself!!

glad you liked it olive, hope you can go sometime, it is lovely and it might be one of those places that is different every time you go?!

thanks gattina! meringues are amazing arent they ~ now i come to think of it they are also sold like that in carluccios ~ italian cafe/deli!!

30 Mar, 2012

 

I really enjoyed looking at your photos, sticki. I'd love to visit Knightshayes Court myself one day :)

30 Mar, 2012

 

you are welcome emma! glad you liked it ~ it was all such a lovely surprise for me!!

well worth a trip i would say and really quite easy to get to if you are in the south west.

30 Mar, 2012

 

Great visit,so rewarding,I'm sure,Sticki......Adore the trilliums!

30 Mar, 2012

 

me too meadowland but i havent got any! have you?

30 Mar, 2012

 

What a wonderful place. I enjoyed all the photos. Very interesting. It was a good idea to make that detour.

30 Mar, 2012

amy
Amy
 

Marvelous and fantastic photos Sticki , I'm glad you had such a good time ,I'm drooling over the last 2 pics !

30 Mar, 2012

 

You aren't alone, Amy, there always a lot of dribbling associated with a lot of Sticki's blogs. I think she should provide a huge roll of kitchen paper if she's going to put photos like that on here.........

30 Mar, 2012

 

ok, next time i will put in a bib next time!!??

30 Mar, 2012

 

Henry is very Dapper..! I shall flash my assets tomorrow

30 Mar, 2012

 

WHAT????

i thought henry very smart too!!

30 Mar, 2012

 

I feel like I`ve been on the grand tour Sticki, you`ve definitely done your visit justice by sharing it with us. What a stupid reason for not advertising it - does it not occur to the department responsible for road signs that the reason they don`t have enough visitors is the lack of road signs.

30 Mar, 2012

 

Exactly Stroller!! It must be so frustrating for them, when they clearly work so hard.
They were so friendly and it really was a lovely place, very special I thought.

30 Mar, 2012

 

It may be very special because it gets just enough visitors ?

I hate road signs...if they got rid of 90% wewould have room for this one.

30 Mar, 2012

 

i can see your point pimpernel, i got the feeling at least some of the people who worked there would like to have more visitors.

motorways would be rather more attractive if we have a few pictures of gardens alongside the road inviting us to visit!!??

30 Mar, 2012

 

Our friend 7 is a roadie..What is his view?

30 Mar, 2012

 

I don't know! is he working?

30 Mar, 2012

 

I hope not..

He could be loafing about

30 Mar, 2012

 

pimpernel!!!! surely not. perhaps he hasnt got enough petrol?

30 Mar, 2012

 

What a beautiful place Sticki. I 'm so glad you went and took your camera along. I've never heard of it and it is one of the best kept gardens I've seen for ages! Those magnolias...wow! The first time you see them like that is really bowles you over doens't it? I remember seeing on Arran and being totally gobsmacked at the sheer size of them...the trees rather than the flowers. But the colour of the ones here ...stunning! :))

1 Apr, 2012

 

Thanks Karen, I was stunned!
Arran is really lovely.

1 Apr, 2012

 

Great blog Sticki, loved all your pics. Isn't it wonderful to be full of wonder:-)

1 Apr, 2012

 

it is BA, thank you! it was altogether much appreciated and a lovely visit.

1 Apr, 2012

 

What an amazing place!

The Magnolias are 'out of this world'.

Thanks for sharing.

2 Apr, 2012

 

thank you annelise! i thought the same as you!

2 Apr, 2012

 

just wonderful ! cannot believe I hadnt noticed this place before considering its just up the road from where I was born. Will definately pay a visit next time Im back home. Great photography.

9 Apr, 2012

 

thanks bampy, i hope more people visit cos it is really lovely. great menu in the cafe too!!!

and the dogs cut into the hedging have to be seen to be believed.

9 Apr, 2012

 

I really love the pink one, Its sooo pretty Sticki!Its rare!

28 Apr, 2012

 

I think you are right Junna, it certainly surprised me, but it was a lovely surprise.

28 Apr, 2012

Add a comment

Recent posts by stickitoffee

Members who like this blog

  • Gardening with friends since
    17 Aug, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    27 Dec, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    9 May, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    18 Sep, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    21 Jan, 2012

  • Gardening with friends since
    4 Oct, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    9 Aug, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    6 Jun, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    27 Sep, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    13 May, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    20 Nov, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    7 Sep, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    18 Sep, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    29 Jan, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    2 Nov, 2009

  • amy
    Amy

    Gardening with friends since
    17 Apr, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    14 Jun, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    30 Nov, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    15 Jan, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    30 Apr, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    16 Mar, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    30 Mar, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    2 Jan, 2012

  • Gardening with friends since
    6 Apr, 2012

  • Gardening with friends since
    30 Dec, 2011