Social Evening at Oak Howe, Wetheral Pasture - 26th July 2018

Many, many thanks to Janice & Nick Stewardson for hosting the club's social evening; allowing us to share their gorgeous, inspiring new garden. As usual, a great time for us all to chat & exchange our gardening experiences in what has turned out to be an amazing summer of sunshine...

Thanks to Lesley & Isabel for these great photos

Day Trip - Scottish Borders & Northumberland - Thursday, 12th July 2018

After leaving sunny Cumbria, a couple of hours later we arrived in Northumberland via Kelso where the softest of rain drops welcomed us, after so many weeks of drought.

Specifically we came to visit Kirky Cottage Garden, Mindrum.

www.mindrumestate.com

Ginny Fairfax is known as the creator of the fabulous Mindrum Garden. Five years ago she began creating a new garden at Kirky Cottage. This is a gravel garden in cottage garden style, with her favourite plants from Mindrum and many others, which have matured beautifully. It is an abundant garden, full of interesting plants.

These gorgeous, abundant blue plants are annuals – Echium Blue Bedder (available from Sarah Raven)

Like all great works of art, our responses to the garden varied. Comments ranged from “warm and soft” to “distinctly untidy”.

We then journeyed over the border to Sir Walter Scott's dramatic Scottish baronial home at Abbotsford, Melrose. Here, as well as enjoying the garden, we took a tour of the house when we were entertained and informed by Hamish, the guide.

The ceiling plaster cabbage in the dining room!

 Our next stop was just fifteen miles away to Carolside, a Georgian House and Garden near Earlston on the A68.

www.carolside.com

I am sure that for many of us Carolside was the jewel in Thursday's day trip crown! It is the home of Rose & Anthony Foyle.

“The late 18th century mansion is set in beautiful parkland, flanked by wooded hills, nestling in a bend of the River Leader. Carolside garden has been cultivated for over 200 years. Today it is best known for its soft and delicate herbaceous planting, striking Delphinium beds and subtle colour schemes, its design of rooms with a Secret garden, Winter garden and Herb garden backed in espaliered pear trees and yellow and white roses. Sweeping lawns lead to an oval walled garden where an Historical Collection of ancient roses is housed including a National Collection of pre-1900 Gallica roses. Kenneth Cox in his book "Scotland for Gardeners" describes Carolside as "one of Scotland's finest private gardens.”

Our final stop was at the private garden of an extremely pleasant gentleman retiree's home at the converted Stables of Maxton House, St Boswell's. 

Wonderful herbaceous Clematis heraclefolia Cassandra was just about to flower. 

Euan, the gardener, recommended an online visit to 'Taylors Clematis'.

 

 

Thank you Janice & Jude for all your hard work and inspiration for organising this day trip.

Written by PMR

Various reference sources used

Annual VGC Holiday ... Shropshire & Welsh Border

At last some snaps from the Herefordshire holiday. Powis Castle & Wollerton Old Hall were on the itinerary.

Getting ready for the day ahead...

Promenading

You'd think school was out - well it is July!

Oh, take care by the Ha Ha Anne