Thursday, December 10, 2009

Calla lily postcards






Pyracantha berries in Ben Lomond, CA USA

poet_in_hermitage.jpgOn second thoughts - almost forgot we had the rest of the week to go! (by the way I am writing this from the Tatton tent which is at present being deluged by the tail end of a passing storm - however, we are close to a flower bed containing Noah's Ark so there is an escape route!).

The garden has been a great success with the public. It's also been enhanced this week by the presence of the Cheshire Poet Laureate, W. Terry Fox, reading landscape inspired poetry: his own, some from local school Manor Park Primary in Knutsford and even poems from would-be bards among Tatton staff!

toby_and_team.jpgMingling in and out of the crowds all week have been many gardening celebrities, including two 'bits of lads' I knew when they were students: namely Joe Swift and Toby Buckland. It was good to catch up on old times - though they reckon they are not so old.

Finally we met up with Gilly, chief blogger for this event!

So all it remains is to dismantle everything early next week, put everything in store and continue to plan for next year. See you then!



Asim Shah posted a photo:

yellow


Asim Shah posted a photo:

bee



Winter Berries

This year's Tatton soundtrack might have to include: It only happens when it rains, raindrops keep falling on my head, singing in the rain... I could go on, so please let me know if you have any less clichéd suggestions. But, there's no getting away from it, the weather for the build up has been truly appalling. It's been a challenge for the show organisers, garden designers, nursery folk and TV crews alike. High-vis jacket-wearing was extended the full duration of press day yesterday as conditions got muddier.

agrostis_nebulosa_and_astrantia.jpgBut against such odds, they have all delivered a fantastic flower show, sunshine bright with colour. And somehow, against the wet, slate-coloured skies, the plants of high summer seem all the more vibrant. From show gardens to nursery stands, the stars of the show are easily gem-like crocosmias in a glorious range of orange shades from tangerine to gold; flat heads of raspberry ripple achilleas are also stand out performers.

But my favourite plant combination today was the gorgeously delicate Agrostis nebulosa with Astrantia 'Roma' - a fuzzy cloud of bronze grass with jewel-like blooms just peeping through, unfazed by the downpours, raindrops glistening prettily as the sun re-emerged.

Camilla Phelps, Gardening Editor


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