Tag: hot borders

Seasonal Visits to two very different gardens – mid-summer at Bodnant

Post author By greenbenchramblings
Post date August 6, 2019
2 Comments on Seasonal Visits to two very different gardens – mid-summer at Bodnant

Back with the next installment in this series of posts where we visit Bodnant Gardens in North Wales and Wildegoose nursery and Garden in South Shropshire. In this mid-summer visit to Bodnant we enjoyed a warm bright day wandering around this large wonderful garden on the edge of Snowdonia.

After our breakfast enjoyed in the Pavilion Cafe we wandered along the underpass that takes us below the road to the garden entrance. Even before entering the garden itself we were treated to the site of meadow planting on the banks either side of the path.

Leaving the Reception area we turned right where we enjoyed a first glimpse of one of our favourite borders of all, the long, hot wall garden.

I took so many photos that day because the light was so good and the garden so interesting, so it is best now if a share a selection of my images with you in a gallery. As usual click on the first pic and then navigate using the arrows.

We will make a return visit to Bodnant in the Autumn to see how the garden looks in that season.

Tags flowering shrubs, gardens of North Wales, gardens of Wales, hardy plants, hot borders, meadows, Natiional Trust Gardens, National Trust, North Wales, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, wildflower meadows

colours garden design garden photography garden ponds garden pools garden seating gardening gardens gardens open to the public hardy perennials Shropshire water in the garden

Return to a favourite garden – Wollerton Old Hall

Post author By greenbenchramblings
Post date January 27, 2017
4 Comments on Return to a favourite garden – Wollerton Old Hall

We are lucky living where we do with the choice of top quality gardens for us to visit and enjoy. The counties of Shropshire, our home county, and its neighbour Herefordshire are home to some real gems from tiny back gardens to large parklands. One of the best Shropshire gardens is Wollerton Old Hall, a garden we have visited many times as it is one of the best gardens in the UK created in the 20th century. We decided we were due another day there in 2016. Wollerton is a great garden all throughout its open season but it peaks in late summer and early autumn so we decided to visit on a bright day in September.

ws-01 wp-07

Two elements make Wollerton such a charismatic garden, the strength of its structure and the originality and quality of the planting. Wollerton’s many garden rooms are linked by pathways, gateways, arches and alleyways inviting the visitor to make choices to help guide their route around the garden.

ws-11 ws-02 ws-14

Box cut into shapes and hedges of box and yew give strong bones to the garden and help lead the eye and focus on important elements.

The borders at Wollerton Old Hall are full of exciting planting combinations and exciting plants.

The Hot Garden is the most exciting planting as it shines and glows in the slightest hint of brightness. There are so many strong plant combinations to enjoy. This patch can brighten the dullest day and bring a smile to the saddest face.

wp-03 wp-18 wp-16 wp-14 wp-17 wp-01 wp-12

It has been fun sharing our love of the gardens at Wollerton Old Hall with you. It is a garden we take friends and family to so that we can share our enjoyment with them. Perhapps we will visit in the spring or summer of 2017 and we can show you what a good garden it is then too.

Tags archways, garden arches, garden structure, garden structures, gardens of Shropshire, hot border, hot borders, hot colours, hot garden, September, Shropshire, Shropshire gardens, Wollerton Old Hall

gardening hardy perennials

Bodnant’s Hot Border

Post author By greenbenchramblings
Post date August 25, 2011

We recently visited the National Trust’s Bodnant Garden in North Wales, a garden we had not seen for five years or more and we had heard that the new Head Gardener had made many changes for the better. We were blown away by their new hot border which is one of the first areas of the garden you encounter. On the opposite side of the gravel pathway is a border of very different mood and character. A gentle mix of Verbena bonariensis and Verbascum chaixii with highlights of Dahlia “Bishop of Llandaf” creates an atmosphere like a gentle summer’s day Their new Head Gardener has certainly made huge steps forward and the garden looks the best we can ever remember it being.

Tags Bodnant, gardening, hot borders, National Trust

gardening hardy perennials

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Post author By greenbenchramblings
Post date August 6, 2011

: Red hot plants!

The hot border in our front garden at our home plot is looking good! Hot! Hot! Hot!

The rich colours of fire dominate – yellows, oranges and reds with splashes of warm blues and the occasional white highlight. But without plenty of green to act as a foil and enrich the colours it would look less effective.

But we still need more red at one end as we have a predominance of yellows.

In the foreground in the first photo the deepest red of Crocosmia “Lucifer” dominates while spires of verbascum send their yellow flames into the air, while in the second photo it is the trumpets of a daylilly that blast through the red.