Tuesday, July 15, 2014

An Outing

I belong to the local gardening club and last week we had a bus trip to visit two gardens, one of which includes a nursery. We left at 9AM, had lunch at the garden-nursery and were back around 5 PM. The day was beautiful, but this means the pictures are not as good as they would have been had the day been less bright and sunny.

Earthbound Gardens





Our first stop was at Earthbound Gardens (http://www.earthboundgardens.com/). Brenda, one of the owners, gave us a tour of the gardens, introducing the plants and answering questions.We then spend about an hour looking at the plants for sale. I bought a few things, including a very attractive campanula ('Pink Octopus') that seems particularly invasive.I will have to give some thought as to where I will put it. We then had a sit-down meal (lasagna, salads and tarts) outdoor in the garden.
After the meal we boarded the bus and left for our next stop.

A few pictures taken at Earthbound Gardens.


Where we had lunch
Part of the nursery
Part of the gardens at Earthbound

Our next stop was at Keppel Croft (http://www.keppelcroft.com/). The gardens are extensive and include, among other things, a pit house inside of which is a large fig tree.  Here are a few pictures:



The Petasites leaves by the water were some of the biggest I have seen

15 comments:

  1. Garden outings always make a lovely day out, the anticipation and then finding that you are in a really super garden, with lunch too, what could be better! I do like the focal points in the second garden, they set off the planting beautifully.

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    1. There are lots of focal points in that garden - little vignettes which ever way you turn. They do set up the planting beautifully and are very interesting in themselves but you would not want many more than there are as it could feel too stage directed if you know what I mean.

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  2. Those both look like very interesting places. We had relatives near Wiarton for years. If I'd known about these gardens, I would have loved to tour them when we visited. But now the relatives have moved to Port Dover!
    Thanks for sharing your trip.

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    1. You might have an opportunity to visit again. There is an association of open gardens in the Bruce and Grey counties. They publish an annual map with direction to each of the gardens.

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  3. Kepplecroft seems less formal. I especially liked the woven fences and the little escapee hen and chick.

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    1. I also like the hens and chicks. Keppel Croft is a fair bit bigger.

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  4. Looks like a great outing on a beautiful day.

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  5. Sounds and looks llike a great way to spend a day! I noticed that little container succulent garden at the second stop--I'm working on mine. Most of my plants died over the winter--or, actually, I think it was the spring freeze/thaw that killed them. I'll plan to keep them in a warmer, more consistent place next winter/spring. Great post!

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    1. That little container is quite nice isn't it. I think they do better if you can protect them in the winter. My problem is that we are gone part of the winter. I can put them in a coldframe, which would be preferable weatherwise, but then they do not get watered and they can dry up, even in the middle of winter.

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  6. Hello Alain, it's the season for nosying around other people's gardens isn't it? I like garden visits as I can take away ideas and also see gardens whose style may not be to my taste, but I can appreciate the design and effort all the same. It looks like you caught a stunning day to be out and about too.

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    1. It is always amazing to see how people approach gardening in different ways and come up with very original designs. As you say, we don't always share the same taste but it is most interesting none the less.

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  7. You can't visit a nursery and not buy anything as it is against the gardeners' law.

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  8. Lovely! Your photos are stunning, by the way, so don't apologize for the light. I particularly like the frog.

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