Wednesday 4 May 2011

RHS Harlow Carr

I'd like to thank everyone for their good wishes for my dad. He seems to be recovering well and I'm sure he'll be back playing bowls again in no time.

We had planned to go to RHS Harlow Carr on Sunday but my dad needed picking up from the hospital in the morning so we put our plans on hold until after we'd delivered him safely home.

The reason for the planned visit was because there was a plant sale on Sunday as well as a craft fair. It was afternoon before we arrived so we didn't spend very long looking at the gardens, though it appeared that many of the spring displays were on the way out, daffodils already having faded and tulips about to do so. There were still some containers which had lovely mixes of tulips planted in them which has given me lots of inspiration for planting this autumn.



















We did visit the vegetable gardens which seem to have been planted up well, though they'll look better once the plants get established in a month or two. I was envious of all the lovely rhubarb forcing pots, they'd look great on my allotment but they're so expensive.


At first glance I thought this was more rhubarb, but a sign close by reavealed it to be Cynara cardunculus. I had to look it up when I got home to find out that they're in fact cardoons.


The plant sale was well attended and I came home with two new plants, a viola Roscastle Black and a dianthus Early Bird Stardust.


Eleanor enjoyed the craft fair and treated herself to a giraffe picture by Giles Bassett-Darby to add to her collection of giraffes. It will look lovely once it's framed.


I hope to return to RHS Harlow Carr in the near future to take in more of the gardens.

10 comments:

  1. We went recently and loved it. The tulips were very spectacular and inspired us to plant more next year. x

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  2. Hi Jo, I love those pots of tulips, if only I could get mine to look like that.

    Glad your Dad is back at home and on the mend. My Mum was rushed into hospital in February and ended up having open heart surgery. All very unnerving, especially ICU but glad to say she's recovering well and even better than she's been for ages. Have a good day. Lesley x

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  3. Glad to hear that you dad is recovering well, Jo. I love Harlow Carr, it is a must for anyone in the area who loves gardens and plants. The tulips are stunning...they are certainly one of my favourite flowers xx

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  4. It's good to know that your dad is on the mend.
    I'm definitely growing more tulips next next year, probably more red ones and some white ones.
    I've never been to Harlow Carr but needless to say that it's on my, rather long, to visit list!
    Flighty xx

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  5. Blimey Jo - I havent had chance to blog for a while so Ive just been catching up with your news. really glad to hear your Dads on the mend.

    We went to HC around the same time, want it gorgeous, i think ive photographed the same tulips! werent the rhododendrons amazing?

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  6. Those potted tulips are just gorgeous.
    Good news about your dad.
    Lisa x

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  7. Hi Jo, Sorry to hear about your Dad, but I am glad for you that he is getting better! We go to Harlow carr as well I do like it there. If you have the time pop over to my blog I have a little something for you :)

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  8. Thank you for your comments.

    Diane - The tulips have inspired me to plant more this autumn too. I'm going to cram lots in to pots for a good display.

    Lesley - Glad to hear that your mum is recovering well. It's so scary when things like this happen.

    Freerangegirl - I must go to Temple Newsam soon to see the rhododendrons, they have a lovely display.

    Gail - Thank you for the award, I shall blog about it shortly.

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  9. So glad your dad is recovering. Thank goodness for modern medicine. Every time I'm tempted by fancies of living in a distant era I remember dentists, doctors and hospitals.

    Pot-cramming does seem to be the way to go with tulips. Mine all need replacing this year, so you've given me some early inspiration.

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  10. That's very true, Linda. I remember studying the history of medicine for my history o level, I wouldn't fancy experiencing any old remedies.

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