In article , Charlie
Pridham writes

Try contacting Mike Brown replacing * with clematis
He
is in Oxfordshire and has a large collection himself but will also know
where else in the area you can go

That's the man! he does talks etc for garden clubs, is a founder member of
the British Clematis society and past chairman of same, he also opens his
garden for charity and will know of other clematis gardens that do like wise
in the area.



Poor Mike sent a charming letter to me explaining that he was told he
couldn't water his collection and then recently the water board changed
its mind and is now allowing him to water! This means all his clematis
plants have fewer flowers or aren't very happy so he's not open at the
moment!

Took his advice though and went to see Kathy Browns garden in Stevington
(http://www.kathybrownsgarden.homestead.com/)
Wow! Wonderful Viticella out and a multitude of other roses and clematis
either juts over or about to flower.
What a great garden! Designing at its best as it was clearly artistic
but not the strident concrete and clay of Mr Gavin's stuff but a love of
the actual plants and a desire to show them off in the best way. There
was a walk which had very white stemmed birch trees (not jaqumonitii)
and in front on one side acanthus on the other grasses and verbena
bonariensis and shingle on top. Down the centre was a line/very low area
with low grasses etc but the whole effect was so light and airy that the
greys and whites seem to shine out at you.
There was a wonderful topiary garden which didn't have that gloomy
depressing feel that they can sometimes ow. As the plants were on the
smaller side and were given flowing fronds it gave an interesting look
to the whole thing, great for winter.

She gave a list and map of all the clematis and named each one, very
helpful on a visit!

She apparently does a spring day a rose day and a clematis day.
Recommended as were the teas and cakes!

janet

--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk