Gardens

Thursday Thoughts – Madeira Gardens

/ Leya / 17 kommentarer

Another lovely walk was through the Gardens of Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro. A property belonging to the Blandy family.

They boast some of the most valuable and rare exotic plants on the island. Starting in 1885, the Blandy family has developed the gardens to a today’s Mecca for botanic lovers.

They are renowned among other things for the splendid Camellia selection – but unfortunately we arrived after that intense bloom. On the other hand – there was so much else to see. Here is a short gallery:

The garden is situated with a beautiful view over Funchal, and luckily we had it all to ourselves for an hour or two. I’ll give the plant names a try: First out – a Gladiolous, in a fabulous combo of colours, Gazania, then some slipper flowers (yellow and red), a crassula (Buddha’s Temple?) and some beautifully cut and trimmed hedges.

Next are bluish and pink flowers in Watsonia, Brunfelsia and I guess a Risp. The last picture shows a Japanese Pagoda tree.

This was a relaxing and interesting visit to one of Madeira’s most renowned gardens. I recommend a visit if you go to Madeira!

Thursday Thoughts – Dreams from Holland

/ Leya / 38 kommentarer

Back to Holland again – and some lovely plants from botanical gardens in Amsterdam and Leiden.

But this photo is from the flower market along one of the canals. The red flower in the lower right corner is a Gloriosa – a climber I have tried several times… but cannot make thrive at home.

A different way to use a palm house – every plant in a separate barrel.

I love these – and I know that Cee Neuner has posted ”the real thing” many times!

More from the pond and the wetlands of the gardens.

Now I am longing for summer again…

Aren’t you?

Macro Monday – Cone Orchid (according to the local people)

/ Leya / 15 kommentarer

We visited a vineyard in Kent, where I caught sight of this little beauty. The farmer simply called it Cone Orchid because of its shape.

Anacamptis pyramidalis? After googling – maybe. A very compact, coneshaped orchid that I had never seen before. The field had maybe 20-30 of them, all of them fading.

Thursday Thoughts – Inside and Outside

/ Leya / 24 kommentarer

Arundel castle again – still in use by the Dukes of Norfolk – interesting! But after so many castles, maybe you too need a rest?

I really loved that dog…I should take out my sewing machine.

Time for a rest again, before entering the Castle itself.

A truly impressive castle that didn’t disappoint inside either. I would have loved a sleigh ride with that beauty…I guess it’s on wheels as England doesn’t get much snow?

Thank you for good company. Now there is only one castle left…Leeds Castle. Maybe next Thursday. Have to rest again!

Thursday Thoughts – Arundel Castle

/ Leya / 26 kommentarer

Arundel Castle was built in the 11th Century by Roger de Montgomery. With its pinnacles and towers, it looks more or less out of a fairy tale. In many ways it was a different castle than the first three we visited. I want to take you to some of its most interesting features.

Arundel Castle is perhaps most famous for its Stumpery – a garden made out of old tree stumps and ferns. I immediately fell in love with it, and got some ideas for my own garden too. (Where I already have some fallen trees with planted climbers.)

Another wonderful scenery was the wild flower garden, which reminded me of our wild flower fields up north, close to the mountains. I wish I could have a garden like that!

If you look closely, you can even find a young moor hen with its extremely big feet and toes. It was busy pruning itself and staring down into the water. They are such funny creatures, and this one seemed not at all afraid of people.

I think I will save some pictures from the gardens as well as inside the castle for another post. Hopefully you enjoyed the tour – thank you for walking with me!

Thursday Thoughts – More from Great Dixter

/ Leya / 27 kommentarer

As this was my favourite house and garden on the tour, I will post some more from both the garden and indoors. The interior was very special, and the windows amazingly beautiful.

On entering the house, the light from the many windows and the open architectural solution made for an immediate love. In the header you can see the second floor and some more modern architecture.

I loved the seemingly wild and random, unorganized looks of the garden – even if I knew there is a design behind it. For more facts, please visit Jude again!

The nursery is a must see in every garden – and maybe buy a little something…which I of course did! Thank you for walking with me – hope to see you in my next garden walk too.