Here’s the exotic view from the garden bench.
I hope you’re all well and staying safe 🙂
Tag: Gardens
A winter visit to ROSEMOOR
It’s been a few years since I last went to the winter sculpture trail at RHS Rosemoor, so I jumped at it when my friend sue suggested it. It was a bit of a bleak day weather wise, grey and overcast and with cold showers that quickly sent us in for coffee and mocha cake. Flashes of bright winter sun and rainbows kept us smiling, as did the sculpture.
Sue and I share some favourites on show, the snail makes us both smile, but the fish that she’s keen on isn’t for me. I’ve admired the work of the creator of the three ladies below for a long time, if I could afford it and had space I’d buy them!
This striking piece above stands just before you enter the main garden, I think the RHS have commissioned it for Rosemoor.
But it might be this one, we were struggling with sideways rain at that point!
On through the garden, there were pieces that would fit anywhere,
We headed to the lake, a tranquil place in all seasons.
Then a sideways diversion to the veggie garden, to shelter from a shower again.
Via this little path, isn’t the light gorgeous? 
and then this graceful creature watched quietly as we strolled to Lady Anne’s house.
We had a little walk in Lady A’s garden, but it was gone 3pm and hadn’t eaten a thing since sharing the cake at 11.30, but this is one of the pretty paths she created.
Of course, we’d missed lunch, but instead we shared a savoury afternoon tea of cheese scone with local chutney and posh crisps.
In case you’re wondering, my favourite sculpture this year are the beautitul pine cones!
For the first time in ages, I’m sharing this stroll with lovely Jo for her Monday Walks.
Have a good week.
Worth the wait?
After nearly ten years, the olive tree has started bearing fruit. Just a few last year, that never grew beyond the size of a currant. This year, they’ve survived the winter and are almost the size of the black olives I like. The birds have had a few pecks of them and spat them on the ground, so I guess they probably taste horrid.
I read somewhere that olives are cured for eating, I’ve no idea what with of how, but I expect they need a whole lot more heat and sun to be enjoyable. Some of you are in olive producing countries, perhaps you could tell me more?
Six Word Saturday
Introducing the many-legged Topsham tree.
A hedge or a fence
If you’re not sure, it maybe a fedge, rather like the one growing at RHS Rosemoor. It was born around four years ago, when around fifteen varieties and mixed colours were planted. The willow is harvested each year and the stems have been used to create the fedge.
The fedge will be clipped as it grows, to maintain the geometric design.
The colours are planted in groups.
See how the fedge blends with the background, creating strong vertical lines?
I was at Rosemoor for the sculpture in the garden, my first visit for several years. Each winter they have the sculpture exhibition, it blends beautifully with naked trees, the curves of the valley, hard landscaping and excellent design like the fedge.
And of course there is the hobbit house!
Six word Saturday
Just when I need a sitdown.
Garden Photography, a Favourite
Although I appreciate the amount of work that goes into making a garden neat and pristine, with everything ordered, it really doesn’t suit me at all. You knew that didn’t you?
You know I bend rules as well, but Jude won’t mind, she said she’d like this place.
So here we are back at Hill House, where you can find all kinds of rustic treasure.
Add a touch of creativity, wouldn’t these make interesting features?
Or you could look inside the glasshouse,
You never know what you’ll find there.
Lots to inspire.
Even flowers!
So who knows what this is?
Besides being a rather unique framework for climbing plants.
We’ll pop back outside and say hi to this little lady, now the shower’s cleared.
Soak away the gardener’s aches and pains?
Perhaps a sit down on this rather splendid old bench, does it need a coat of paint or is it fine just as it is?
This small glasshouse has become rather overgrown since I last saw it, next time I might not be able to squeeze in at all.
So do you know what the climbing plant frame was originally?
Okay, it’s a wine bottle drier 🙂 and like all these items, it’s for sale.
Jude’s Garden Challenge theme this month is ‘Favourite Gardens’, may be you’d like to join in.
Does this look like . . .
your kind of garden?
Hill House is a small, independent nursery at Landscove, Devon. Driving the last three miles to get there isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, it’s a single track lane with pull-ins in case you’re unlucky and meet a tractor. if you’re the passenger and don’t have to concentrate on the road, the views are spectacular. The road from the Devon Expressway takes you up Love Lane, Whistley Hill, Chuley Hill and Cabbage Hill!
Hill House is really worth the drive, it’s the prettiest place, with unusual plants, very friendly people and the best cakes, all made on the premises. 
They don’t mind you wandering around the garden,
On a sunny day it’s a peaceful spot for lunch, cream tea (cream first, then jam of course) or some of that cake. 
The borders are densely planted, if you fall for something, you may find it in the nursery. 
There are narrow paths that open up to little surprises.
One of the paths leads to St Michael’s church.
Which has a Victorian broached spire and is very pretty inside
and has a Grade 11 listed, slate -roofed, buttressed lychgate.
Back to the garden,
For a last look down another path.
I’ll show you the nursery soon, I think you’ll love all the reclaimed items it has.
This is a scheduled post, be back soon.
Lazy Poet’s Thursday Haiku
These must be Bramleys
fruiting nicely on floor three
crumble will follow
As so often happens I’m late to the party, but I’ll just mention anyway that this photo would have worked for Jude’s Garden Challenge, ‘The Edible Garden’, for July.
Wordless Wednesday
Lucid Gypsy 