I have just returned from a week's holiday wich included visits to the
AG show at Shepton Mallet, Rosemoor and Wisley.
The show was disappointing. All the stands which did sell plants
seemed to be selliing the same, and there were too many "sundries"
stalls.
Rosemoor was partly disappointing, looking a bit jaded but maybe that
was due to lack of rain. The borders along the wall ouside the
buildings were beautiful, and there were some good crops in the veg
area. The plant centre was disappointing and pricey.
Wisley was MUCH better than when I visited about 2 years ago (same
time of year) The demo gardens were very much better tended, the
Alpine houses looking good. Very impressed by a long area of planting
at the bottom of the herbaceous borders, where beds were planted with
verbena bonariensis, white gaura, a lower groing verbena, maybe
rigida, and pink dahlias.
One of the new huge glass-houses is going up and that has ptential to
be magnificent.
Plant centre pricey as always. I wanted an aster frikartii Monch
(having lost two in the last few years!). There was one only, looking
fit for the compost heap, marked £5.49. I asked an attendant if it
might be reduced. "We never reduce, but give a 2 year guarantee."
That's OK if you live near enough to revisit, but not to me with no
car and living the best part of 100 miles away.
Any other experiences this year?

Pam in Bristol

Pam Moore decided to add:

I have just returned from a week's holiday wich included visits to the
AG show at Shepton Mallet, Rosemoor and Wisley.
The show was disappointing. All the stands which did sell plants
seemed to be selliing the same, and there were too many "sundries"
stalls.
Rosemoor was partly disappointing, looking a bit jaded but maybe that
was due to lack of rain. The borders along the wall ouside the
buildings were beautiful, and there were some good crops in the veg
area. The plant centre was disappointing and pricey.
Wisley was MUCH better than when I visited about 2 years ago (same
time of year) The demo gardens were very much better tended, the
Alpine houses looking good. Very impressed by a long area of planting
at the bottom of the herbaceous borders, where beds were planted with
verbena bonariensis, white gaura, a lower groing verbena, maybe
rigida, and pink dahlias.
One of the new huge glass-houses is going up and that has ptential to
be magnificent.
Plant centre pricey as always. I wanted an aster frikartii Monch
(having lost two in the last few years!). There was one only, looking
fit for the compost heap, marked £5.49. I asked an attendant if it
might be reduced. "We never reduce, but give a 2 year guarantee."
That's OK if you live near enough to revisit, but not to me with no
car and living the best part of 100 miles away.
Any other experiences this year?

Pam in Bristol

We visited the Tatton show this year, as always, but found the selection
was mundane, the planting boring and the prices a rip...
we shan't be going again, it's a shame as we remember when it was two tents
and about 30 stands - now it's just another chance to fleece the public!

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
I have just returned from a week's holiday wich included visits to the
AG show at Shepton Mallet, Rosemoor and Wisley.
The show was disappointing. All the stands which did sell plants
seemed to be selliing the same, and there were too many "sundries"
stalls.
Rosemoor was partly disappointing, looking a bit jaded but maybe that
was due to lack of rain. The borders along the wall ouside the
buildings were beautiful, and there were some good crops in the veg
area. The plant centre was disappointing and pricey.
Wisley was MUCH better than when I visited about 2 years ago (same
time of year) The demo gardens were very much better tended, the
Alpine houses looking good. Very impressed by a long area of planting
at the bottom of the herbaceous borders, where beds were planted with
verbena bonariensis, white gaura, a lower groing verbena, maybe
rigida, and pink dahlias.
One of the new huge glass-houses is going up and that has ptential to
be magnificent.
Plant centre pricey as always. I wanted an aster frikartii Monch
(having lost two in the last few years!). There was one only, looking
fit for the compost heap, marked £5.49. I asked an attendant if it
might be reduced. "We never reduce, but give a 2 year guarantee."
That's OK if you live near enough to revisit, but not to me with no
car and living the best part of 100 miles away.
Any other experiences this year?

Pam in Bristol

I think Rosemoor has suffered greatly from the decision to remove all the
established roses and replant, the new ones have not done well, I was
particularly upset that they removed and apparently ditched some lovely
clematis at the same time, the new ones have only just gone in - result a
big lack of late summer drama. to be fair I thought lady Anne's garden was
looking great about a week ago, but then it always does!
--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs)

In message , bigjon
writes
We visited the Tatton show this year, as always, but found the
selection was mundane, the planting boring and the prices a rip... we
shan't be going again, it's a shame as we remember when it was two
tents and about 30 stands - now it's just another chance to fleece the
public!

I've noticed that at Tatton "everyone" sells Sidalcea 'Elsie Heugh'.
It'd be nice for there to be a bit more variety. OTOH, they seem to be
able to sell it readily; one sees enough people walking around with bags
containing pots of 'Elsie Heugh'.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote in message
...
In message , bigjon
writes
We visited the Tatton show this year, as always, but found the
selection was mundane, the planting boring and the prices a rip... we
shan't be going again, it's a shame as we remember when it was two
tents and about 30 stands - now it's just another chance to fleece the
public!

I've noticed that at Tatton "everyone" sells Sidalcea 'Elsie Heugh'.
It'd be nice for there to be a bit more variety. OTOH, they seem to be
able to sell it readily; one sees enough people walking around with bags
containing pots of 'Elsie Heugh'.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

We have certainly noticed that more and more small nurseries are selling the
same few varieties. They seem to buy in the plugs and liners. Its something
I really don't understand, for me its the producing the plants which is the
fun bit, selling them is just a necessary process to create space for the
next lot!
It also causes plants to become unavailable; if a nursery has a particular
plant on their list which they like and propagate they tend to discontinue
it if every one starts selling it. but the big wholesalers soon drop lines
and you end up not being able to get hold of perfectly common plants.
Please note I am referring to the small nurseries not those who employ
several people, they have a different set of priorities.
--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs)

I could not agree more Tatton was bloody awful. Only a couple of decent show gardens, miserable food, poor organisation re car parks... We'll never go again.

"Pam Moore"wrote
I have just returned from a week's holiday wich included visits to the
AG show at Shepton Mallet, Rosemoor and Wisley.
The show was disappointing. All the stands which did sell plants
seemed to be selliing the same, and there were too many "sundries"
stalls.
Rosemoor was partly disappointing, looking a bit jaded but maybe that
was due to lack of rain. The borders along the wall ouside the
buildings were beautiful, and there were some good crops in the veg
area. The plant centre was disappointing and pricey.
Wisley was MUCH better than when I visited about 2 years ago (same
time of year) The demo gardens were very much better tended, the
Alpine houses looking good. Very impressed by a long area of planting
at the bottom of the herbaceous borders, where beds were planted with
verbena bonariensis, white gaura, a lower groing verbena, maybe
rigida, and pink dahlias.
One of the new huge glass-houses is going up and that has ptential to
be magnificent.
Plant centre pricey as always. I wanted an aster frikartii Monch
(having lost two in the last few years!). There was one only, looking
fit for the compost heap, marked £5.49. I asked an attendant if it
might be reduced. "We never reduce, but give a 2 year guarantee."
That's OK if you live near enough to revisit, but not to me with no
car and living the best part of 100 miles away.
Any other experiences this year?

Gardens visited this year, if I can remember them all.....

Great Dixter.. Excellent and interesting garden full of different "rooms"
and the tour of the house was fascinating too. Garden is obviously very
labour/plant intensive in places, how many times a year do they replant the
tropical garden? Shame there is nowhere to eat unless you take a picnic.
Nursery attached is OK, seems to sell their spare plants.

Wisley (RHS).. No matter when you go it's just too popular, always a problem
parking as everyone leaves huge spaces between cars. Gardens are good, if
crowded, with a number of example gardens for ideas, including a veg plot.
Fruit areas are excellent (got to say that , a friend works there).
Interesting plants/varieties for the future in the Trial Fields. Cafe and
restaurant available if you can find a table, cafe nothing special (any
more!) and pricy. Plant Sales has an excellent range of plants.

The Savill Garden (Crown Estate).. The best kept and planted herbaceous
borders I've seen anywhere. Rose beds always look good too, and some
interesting plants in the cool greenhouse and the border against the wall.
Spring Rhododendrons and Azaleas are spectacular. Always virtually empty.
You are allowed to picnic but there is a cafe too, food OK but pricy, small
plant sales area.

Winkworth Arboretum (NT).. A tree garden, nice walks, interesting trees
including some old Acers, wonderful autumn colour nice views across the
Surrey Hills . Little Cafe serving good homemade food (when open).

Lost Gardens of Heligan.. Interesting project especially if you are a
gardener, read the history first. Love it and always try to visit when in
the area. OK Cafe, small plant sales area.

St.Mary's House and Garden, Bramber.. Another "Lost Garden" being brought
back into cultivation by enthusiasts, interesting. Friendly staff. Afternoon
tea a must. :-)

--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London

On Tue, 13 Sep 2005 18:31:31 +0100, "Bob Hobden"
wrote:

St.Mary's House and Garden, Bramber..

Where's that Bob? It's not a name I know.

Pam in Bristol

"Pam Moore" wrote...
after "Bob wrote:

St.Mary's House and Garden, Bramber..

Where's that Bob? It's not a name I know.

Near Shoreham Airport on the S. coast. We did a guided tour of the little
airport in the morning, it even has a few daily scheduled flights from it's
art deco terminal, very interesting tour.
http://www.shorehamairport.co.uk/default.asp

Then drove a couple of miles to Bramber and St Mary's.
http://www.stmarysbramber.co.uk/

Worth a visit if you are in the area.
--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London

Our gardening club visited Scampston Walled Garden this summer. It is
a well laid out garden with a lot of interesting plants. You can find
it just off the A64 (York to Scarborough road) just after Rillington.