Day two of our garden opening is always a more relaxed affair and I am thoroughly looking forward to it. On day one the rain absented itself, but the wind did not. At times yesterday it gusted so hard that I got lost in a blizzard of white begonia flowers cascading from the shelves of our outdoor kitchen. Along with the begonias, many plants did not enjoy the thrashing, but all will bounce back, some already producing fresh flowers this morning.
Garden lovers are hardy folk and it seems few were perturbed by the bracing conditions. We welcomed almost 100 visitors in our first four hours, many of whom were returning for the second or third time. It’s so enjoyable to stand in my little corner of the garden pointing out plants and chatting about the garden: everyone wants to talk, which suits me well. The stars of the show, and there are always a few, were the red-barked Santa Cruz Ironwood tree (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius), a Californian evergreen accustomed to exposed conditions, and Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’, which has formed particularly tall, black rosettes this summer. In a forthcoming post I will list sources for some of our most popular plants for those who are interested to try them out.
In the meantime, if you were not able to get to us yesterday, please do come today. I will risk being accused of blowing my own trumpet, if only to raise more money for the National Garden Scheme, by quoting one very generous visitor from whom this is an particular compliment:
“Just home after a first visit to this exhilarating garden, for anyone who has the chance to go don’t miss it. Look up, down, beneath and behind you and you will see a plant, and a very good one, flourishing. You couldn’t add another in or take one away. This verdant freshness as summer fades away is glorious. you will leave feeling full of joy.”
That sort of reaction makes all the effort worthwhile.
The Watch House, 7 Thanet Road, Broadstairs, is open today, Sunday 21st August 2016, from 12-4 with fine teas served at 3, Polegate Cottage.
Categories: Flowers, Foliage, Kentish Gardens, Our Coastal Garden, Photography, Plants, Small Gardens, Weather
Your garden looks wonderful, thank you for the short film yesterday which was a little consolation given that I do not live close enough to visit in the flesh.
I recorded another little video today so will post that shortly. Right now I need to do some housework and change all the guest rooms over for our next visitors! Wishing you a good week ahead. Dan
Dear Dan, so pleased that you did not get the rain (we did!) but lots of visitors, ‘exhilarating garden’ just sums it up. If you are open next year Mr TT will definitely be persuaded that a holiday near Broadstairs in August is on my Bucket List. Good luck with today’s opening.
If you do decide to come down this way let me know so I can recommend a few places to stay and / or visit. We would love to see you. Meanwhile still negotiating with HI about opening next year. Normally best to let him recover a little bit before broaching the subject!
Blowing of well-deserved trumpets is essential to drum up support, plus it’s one of the perks of opening your garden on behalf of a good cause. Also, it’s fascinating to hear what critically minded visitors have to say; as a garden owner, the receiving of them is another perk of the job. Well done, hope you have a such a good day that you almost run of lemon drizzle cake😉.
I think we ran out of all the cakes in the end, which was a great result for Him Indoors. Without exception all our visitors were lovely and appreciative. Our open weekend is always a great restorer of my faith in humanity 🙂
Great work! Enjoy the warm afterglow of your success.
It is called ” marketing and self promotion”, something those of us with English background/heritage struggle with! Tell everyone…u have done such a super job. Must say some of those plants look bigger than the visitors!!! A true Jurassic Park! So thrilled it has been a super success. Well done. Look forward to more pics and reports. 💐💐💐💐💐😘
A lot of the plants certainly were bigger than our visitors. And I have just noticed that our cobaea is producing fruits, which is exciting. We are both shattered but very happy with the turn out. Enjoying a well earned bottle of rosé.
Congratulations on a successful first day. 🙂 Your visitor’s quote says it all. I can visualize all the smiles and note taking and will look forward to the favorite plants info. Enjoy your second day. 🙂
Thanks Judy. Alex and I feel like we’ve run a marathon this weekend. And tomorrow Martha arrives, so we need our wits about us!
Thank you for the chuckle and the vision of little Martha taking over and you two running along behind. Get a good nights sleep, and I’ll be hoping for photos of that mini gardener out in the greenhouse. 🙂
I fear your vision may be entirely correct Judy. We shall find out in precisely 6 hours!!