Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: David Nicholson on April 26, 2008, 08:49:09 PM

Title: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on April 26, 2008, 08:49:09 PM
It was a lovely Spring day today with temperatures nudging 20C and we decided to pay a visit to Knighthays Court a National trust property near Tiverton in Devon, about 50 miles North East of where I live and perhaps as far away from a coast as anywhere in Devon (50 miles or so).

We were not sure if there would be a lot to see (our garden is reaching the end of it's Spring display with only Narcissus Baby Moon yet to come into flower-it's in bud though!) but we were very wrong as the Spring display at Knightshayes just couldn't have been better. Those few extra miles away from the coast, and the fact that it is very much a woodland garden have given it cooler conditions and it has certainly coped with the frost we have had this year much better than my own garden has.

I took a lot of pictures and most of them I will post here really for the benefit of those friends overseas who have fewer chances to see a really 'English' spring woodland garden.

To start with then, a few general views of the House and grounds.

Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on April 26, 2008, 08:53:13 PM
More from Knightshayes Court.

Pictures never do justice to mass plantings of Spring flowers but I hope these at least give a flavour of the carpets of flowers under the various tree canopies.

Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on April 26, 2008, 08:58:23 PM
.... and yet more......

Rhododendrons were at their best, many un-named, where a name was available it is shown in the picture file name.

Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on April 26, 2008, 09:02:47 PM
... and more....

Magnolis were outstanding, Erythroniums were everywhere, and Trilliums were brilliant.

Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on April 26, 2008, 09:07:07 PM
and to finish, a few general flower pics.

Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on April 26, 2008, 09:07:53 PM
What a beautiful garden David. Thank you for showing these pictures.
I can virtually smell Spring being already in Devon now.
Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: Lvandelft on April 26, 2008, 09:14:30 PM
And one question.
Is the Anthemis A. cupaniana?
Have not seen this for long now.
Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: Paddy Tobin on April 26, 2008, 10:00:32 PM
As ever, David, a great report on your garden visit. I have, of course, heard of Knighthayes but have never visited. It is one for a promised trip to Devon and Cornwall at some stage in the future.

Great show, many thanks. Paddy
Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: Paul T on April 27, 2008, 12:45:34 AM
Fantastic pics David.  That first pink Erythronium is a wonderful colouration, whatever it is, and those Trillium!!!  :o  So many wonderful things in your photos.  Thanks.  8)
Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on April 27, 2008, 09:58:18 AM
Great set of pix David !
You can hardly illustrate the Spring feeling in a British garden any better than this I guess !  :D
Thanks a lot for taking you on this trip !
Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: ian mcenery on April 27, 2008, 12:04:10 PM
David great visit. I haven't been for a long time and it seems next time I go to Cornwall I should make a detour

Many thanks for sharing

By the way have you visited Tregrehane near St Austell it was the home of the Carlyon family and is one of those old but loved early spring gardens of Cornwall. I have been going regularly to many of the Sw gardens for more years than I care to think about but we only made our first visit on our way home some in early April this yearand  I was impressed. It is still privately owned and the owner is also a plant collector from the wild Bhutan, China etc. Rustic but interesting
Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: David Nicholson on April 27, 2008, 02:06:17 PM
Glad you enjoyed the pictures folks, it really was a visit worth making.

Luit, sorry, no further information on the Anthemis, it wasn't labelled.

Ian, I haven't been to Tregrehane, but I will as soon as I can.
Title: Re: Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008
Post by: hadacekf on April 27, 2008, 08:31:58 PM
David.
Thank you for showing that beautiful garden
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal