I've mentioned in previous posts that I am planting up a bed with red and yellow perennials. This is half planted but I needed more plants to fill the area and was on the lookout for astrantia Ruby Wedding - coincidentally it is our Ruby Wedding anniversary this year but that wasn't why I was looking for it.
I had tried local garden centres with no luck but found plenty of sources online. Rather than order online I decided to check the plant list for Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens Nursery. Most of the plants already housed in the border were bought here during an earlier visit last September. After checking that the searched for plant was in stock and deciding that the listed astrantia Ruby Star also sounded a good option we set off on Friday - the garden is only open Wednesday and Friday afternoons -intending to combine a visit to the gardens with a spot of plant acquisition.
The garden is a privater garden and the parking area more resembles a well tended lawn than a car park. Here we left the car in the protection of a few watchful guinea fowl.
Before we visited the nursery we paid a visit to the garden.
The gardens area flow from the more traditional lawns, perennial borders and courtyards near the house which transition into more wildlife oriented areas as you walk away from the house. I especially like the way that wild flower patches were growing in the middle of an otherwise fairly formal lawn.
Human visitors were not the only ones strolling around the gardens.
I liked the idea of this small bug hotel - It's something that I may copy at some date.
Furthest from the house is a beautiful wild life pond ...
... and a wild flower meadow.
Some plants caught our eye as we wandered around.
I particularly liked the creamy, yellow magnolia but that wasn't something that would be on offer in the perennial nursery.
We also had our attention drawn by this plant - Geum Herterton Primrose.
Just the sort of plant for a red and yellow border.
After a drink and a piece of cake or in my case flapjack we headed for the nursery which is where our intended two purchases became eight.
Astrantia major Ruby Wedding
Astrantia major Ruby Star
Geum Herterton Primrose
Geum Hybridum Luteum
Geum Lemon Drops
Kniphofia Mango Popsicle
Helenium Chelsey
Heliopsis helianthoides Summer Nights
Mango Popsicle was the only small growing kniphofia available and I am in two minds whether the orangish colour will be in keeping with the colour scheme but if not I can find it a home elsewhere. I'd really like a small growing red or yellow kniphofia but not one that is both red and yellow. I also was looking for helenium Ruby Thuesday (Tuesday) but these were sold out so I am hoping Chelsey will fit the bill.
Just a word of warning if you do visit Stillingfleet Lodge you will need to take your cheque book as they don't accept credit cards and there is no way you would be able to resist coming away with armfuls of plants.
If you'd like to see more photos of the garden click here for a selection of the many photos we took including larger versions of the ones above.
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I'm not nearly as good about making flowers fit in with each other. I have a tendency to just shove them all together. I tried to design my perennial garden to have a mix of colors. But I couldn't get some plants and I put others in their place. I won't know how well I did until it all blooms. lol
ReplyDeleteI'll have to wait for flowers too, Daphne and them move things about if they don't work.
DeleteYou've chosen some lovely plants there, I particularly like kniphofia Mango Popsicle and the helenium. I've had an astrantia on my wish list for a long time now but I'd like a white one, they're such lovely flowers. I've never been to Stillingfleet Lodge though I've often seen it signed as we've passed by, I like to visit gardens which have a nursery attached.
ReplyDeleteI have a white astrantia in the blue and white border Jo. It;s bulked up this year and looks set to give a good show.
DeleteWhat a lovely garden and such a selection of plants - I've a feeling your red and yellow garden is going to look spectacular.
ReplyDeleteI hope so Elaine but maybe not this yeat
DeleteThat is a beautiful garden...I especially love the "wilder" sections. I'm no stranger to impulse shopping at a nursery - I can never walk away with JUST what I went there for...it's practically a physical impossibility ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to you and Martyn on 40 years!
In my defence, Margaret we were needing more plants for the new border.
DeleteMartyn and I have to put up with one another until August to earn your congratulations
What a lovely garden, fancy chickens and great photos! I bought a little bug hotel recently and now thinking I should have made one. Hope your new purchases do well.
ReplyDeleteI may have a go too Kelli - I like how the one in the photo isn't as huge as others I have seem although they did have a large one in the meadow
DeleteIn our experience Heliopsis Summer Nights gets very leggy, and likes to flop, so give it a serious Chelsea Chop to keep it in check. Worth the effort for the fantastic rich yellow flowers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip gnman - I'll try pluck up courage to fdo that - is the same true for helianthamiu
DeleteYes, I was just being lazy not using the full name - there is only one H.h. 'Summer Nights'. Wait until they're 12" tall, and cut them down by a third / half. It's a cruel to be kind manouvere!
DeleteOh, and slugs love them too - so take whatever precautions you normally use against them...
Thanks - sorry I meant to say Monarda not helianthemum
DeleteYou can chelsea chop Monarda, but don't generally need to, unless you particulalry want squatter plants, or if they're in a bit of shade which is causing them to stretch. You certainly won't do them any harm.
DeleteLooks a really nice place - though I wouldn't want to have to care for all that grass! That Geum is a real beauty. Where did you find room in your garden for all those plants you bought??
ReplyDeleteNot even if you got to drive a sit on mower Mark? I did need more plants for a new border.
DeleteThat's beautiful place to visit! lovely chicken strolling around! Bug hotel? That's really new to me!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful Malar
DeleteOf course you needed the Ruby Wedding as well as the other purchases. I thought it was quite conservative purchases. ;) What a beautiful garden to go strolling through. I have always thought chickens look comforting to a garden.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you approve Lisa :) I really did need those plants
DeleteWhat a lovely garden, and obviously very wildlife friendly too! I loved all the birds with their chicks, gorgeous!!! You have some lovely plants there, looking forward to seeing them planted up!xxx
ReplyDeleteThey are planted, Dina now waiting for some flowers although most are later flowering.
DeleteOh Stillingfleet Lodge looks a fabulous place to visit Sue. I'm impressed that you restrained yourselves and stopped at eight :)
ReplyDeleteI knew that I hadn't spaces for more Anna
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