Visit to Meadow Farm, Feckenham

[Diane Clement]

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  )

Pictures follow, in the order we walked round.  

[Diane Clement]

2nd batch

[Diane Clement]

3rd batch

[Diane Clement]

Next batch

[Diane Clement]

last batch with the last one specially for the PPs now in their final week of limbering up for the big day.

[Maggi Young]

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??
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    .... the place is truly a paradise, I see   

[Diane Clement]

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 ...
 

[Maggi Young]

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!

[Brian Ellis]

Thanks for taking us round with you Diane, a super garden - and immaculate, the last picture particularly took my fancy

[ranunculus]

Wonderful images as always, Diane.

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

Oh, all right then ... we'll be there - if the Norwich AGS Group let me escape with my life?   

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Truly wonderful pictures Diane !
What a super garden !
Thanks for showing us !! 

[David Nicholson]

Why is it everone else's garden looks pristine but mine is..........!!

Thanks for taking us Diane.

[Paul T]

David,

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