A visit to Wollerton Old Hall Gardens, Shropshire - May 2013

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I was visiting the UK for a family celebration (a 70th birthday, no less) but I was determined to drag the OH to at least ONE English garden… alas that I chose the worst day of a cold wet and blustery visit! The wind was gale-force, the rain lashing, the cold penetrated even my sweater/bodywarmer/raincoat combination… But it was worth the suffering: the gardens are, even with those handicaps, stunning.

The garden is divided into many formal and beautiful ‘rooms’ near the house (and believe me we needed the protection of the various hedges and walls – rushing from one summerhouse to another, in between times!) – with a more informal stretch beyond. Our kind guide (Head Gardener, I believe) was endlessly patient with our queries – and apologetic that on this appointed Open Day the plants hadn’t quite yet put on the full show he could have wished, or allowed him to establish the tender summer bedding… Doesn’t that sound like this year’s story, everywhere to date?!)

Nevertheless there was plenty to see and admire (see the Lime Allée below), though sadly the OH couldn’t be persuaded to stand around in the blizzard trying to take many photographs… (!)

Managed to catch a few for my wish-list, though – isn’t this a beauty? (Clematis Koreana ‘Blue Eclipse’)

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Or this? Salvia ‘Amistad’, a recent planting, I think we were told…

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I like the Camassia and wild garlic combination, too, don’t you?

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… with the tulips (they too flowering later than usual, of course) still valiantly giving their last.

I also lusted after the rather splendid Pergola, glimpsed in a momentary beam of sunshine – I have JUST the place in my garden here in the Limousin where that could go – for long shady convivial lunches in the summer heat (!) – and the vine which would help shade it is longing for a new support!) – but sadly, I haven’t yet persuaded the OH to export his considerable DIY skills to France, for me…

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It was a lovely visit from the social aspect also, all these MAD Englishwomen (and -men) huddled together in thick raincoats, wiping our faces against the rain, exchanging friendly comments, and gloating together over the scented plants of a Smilacina racemosa, or up at a beautiful Cornus controversa variegata (would love that one, I’ve always had a weakness for plants with variegations and stripes…)

One poor lady gardener was just a little TOO enthusiastic, however: lost in admiration of a climbing plant in the Pond garden, she backed slowly away, wielding her fabulously expensive camera… And – splosh! (yes, you guessed the rest…) Fortunately both she and the camera seemed unhurt (though she at least was soaked to the skin)…

I hope she soon retired, as we eventually did, to the excellent and cosy tea-room, there to consume reviving chocolate fudge cake and that traditional English pick-me-up: a Nice Cup of Tea!

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(and no, the grim expression on the face is not my normal one – it’s just my facial muscles gradually thawing out!) :o}

I shall certainly be going back to Wollerton Old Hall if I can – there will be so much more to see, a little later in the season – preferably without thermal underwear, next time, though…

• 1 Jun, 2013
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