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General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: Diane Clement on June 14, 2009, 10:20:37 PM

Title: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: Diane Clement on June 14, 2009, 10:20:37 PM
Yesterday we took a visit to Rob and Diane Cole's garden and nursery in Feckenham, near Droitwich.  Rob is a lurker on this site and he is a big fan of Ian's bulb log.The garden is not normally open to the public, but does open for group visits and the Yellow Book scheme.  It is an excellent 1 acre garden with fantastic views over the Worcestershire countryside.  It is mainly planted with herbaceous plants, a riot of colour at this time of year, and everything is in immaculate condition.  Rob and Diane collect a lot of seed from their own plants and raise many of their plants from seed.  The nursery is also immaculate, rows of plants, at very competitive prices, again many raised from their own seed.  I cannot imagine how they manage to keep this huge garden in such pristine condition, stocked as it is with hundreds of varieties of herbaceious plants.  Just doing the grass must take hours each week at this time of year.  And they have the nursery as well!  
It is well recommended at this time of year for a visit for AGS groups, etc.  (sorry, SRGC, probably a bit far for a day trip.  Even sorrier to Fermi and friends  ;D )

Pictures follow, in the order we walked round.  
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: Diane Clement on June 14, 2009, 10:28:34 PM
2nd batch
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: Diane Clement on June 14, 2009, 10:30:08 PM
3rd batch
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: Diane Clement on June 14, 2009, 10:32:10 PM
Next batch
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: Diane Clement on June 14, 2009, 10:35:51 PM
last batch with the last one specially for the PPs now in their final week of limbering up for the big day.
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: Maggi Young on June 14, 2009, 10:50:51 PM
What a super garden..... thanks for taking us on your visit, Diane. A bit far for a day trip.... but a possibility for a wee trip to include some other venues, eh?? ;D
So many things to remark on...... I shudder to think of the heave to move that Agave under cover for the winter.... which I presume they must do?  :-\
The drift of Diascias is lovely, the Buddleja globosa seems very early. You were lucky to get such a beautiful day for a visit: there seems to be a lot of thundery rain about elsewhere in the last copule of days.
 
And COFFEE WALNUT CAKE: yummy   :o ;D.... the place is truly a paradise, I see   
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: Diane Clement on June 14, 2009, 11:04:04 PM
So many things to remark on...... I shudder to think of the heave to move that Agave under cover for the winter.... which I presume they must do?  :-\  

Yes, they must.  We have also had several years of lumping Agave americana in and out.  One problem is the weight, but worse are the quite lethal spikes that try to stab you (and often succeed)  :'(  
Last year we got fed up of moving it, so planted it out and left it to the elements.  Of course, it was the worst winter for years and it didn't enjoy it.  Most of it died, but a small piece lives on ...
 
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: Maggi Young on June 14, 2009, 11:14:59 PM
Quote
but worse are the quite lethal spikes that try to stab you (and often succeed)

Yes, I can sympathise, we have some ferocious Aciphyllas that can spear grown women ...... at least the blooming things are hardy enough to stay planted out!
We had big Agaves in a garden in my youth, I soon learned to give it them a wide berth!
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: Brian Ellis on June 14, 2009, 11:19:45 PM
Thanks for taking us round with you Diane, a super garden - and immaculate, the last picture particularly took my fancy ;)
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: ranunculus on June 15, 2009, 08:05:42 AM
Wonderful images as always, Diane.

Might not make it on Saturday - my third stomach band has rejected my tummy!   ;D ;D ;D

Oh, all right then ... we'll be there - if the Norwich AGS Group let me escape with my life?   :D
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on June 15, 2009, 09:03:47 AM
Truly wonderful pictures Diane !
What a super garden !
Thanks for showing us !!  ;)
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: David Nicholson on June 15, 2009, 09:16:19 AM
Why is it everone else's garden looks pristine but mine is..........!!

Thanks for taking us Diane.
Title: Re: Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham
Post by: Paul T on June 16, 2009, 03:11:43 AM
David,

I could photograph my garden if you'd like?  It would make you feel MUCH better. ;D
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