Sunday 15 February 2015

Easton Walled Gardens and snowdrops

I spent a very happy few hours at Easton Walled Gardens today, with my friends Katy and Alison, on our first garden visit of the year. We usually go to Hodsock to look at the snowdrops, but we decided to break with tradition and go somewhere else this year. Although we had all visited Easton before, it was a number of years ago.  There was once a grand house on the site, but during the 1950s, it was demolished and the gatehouse is all that is left.  When the current owners took it over the land in 1994, it was like a jungle and has taken a lot of work to get it to what it is today.  Even the weather was helpful as the fog lifted and we enjoyed beautiful warm sunshine.
 There were some beautiful upright hellebores in amongst the snowdrops.
 Following the path round and looking up, the snowdrops appeared to be like a river...
 ...and were then joined by aconites.
 It almost looked like snow.
 There were so many.
 I liked this urn perched on the edge of the wall.
 On the formal bridge, someone had left a heart of gravel - possibly a tribute to St Valentine? - which I couldn't resist taking a photo of.  I liked the way it had been left there.
 Looking back up towards where the house once was. The terraced banks are planted with wildflowers. On the flat area before the bridge, there were once some formal bedding displays.  You can see them in photos from a visit to the house made by 'Country Life' magazine in 1901, which are displayed in the history room and the tea room.
 Looking back down across what was the walled kitchen garden, with the edge of the massive yew hedge.
 Back by the terrace again - I love an open doorway.
 This was on top of a wall by the area where there was once a peach house.  It is the remains of a sundial and you can see the hole where the gnomen was fixed.
 MC's initials feature a lot in the remaining ironwork - a previous member of the Cholmeley family who owned the house.
 This display of primulas gave a welcome bit of colour in the stableyard, where the shop and toilets are.
Of course I came away with a couple of plants, courtesy of Katy.  This is the rather beautiful Galanthus Elwesii with lovely markings on the petals, which will be planted in my garden as a reminder of the very enjoyable visit to Easton.

12 comments:

  1. What a beautiful place this looks Ellie-full of mystery and atmosphere. The snowdrops are truly amazing-so many in one place! What a lovely place to explore and feel Spring beginning to surface! Have a lovely week,
    Best wishes
    Alison xx

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    1. Thanks, Alison. It is a really lovely place and has a definite atmosphere all of its own. I was amazed by the huge drifts of snowdrops which were stunning. I am really wanting to get out in the garden - fingers crossed for this coming weekend!
      Have a good week too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. You do have some beautiful gardens in England, love seeing the photos.
    I thought you were running out of room in your garden & here you are buying more.
    I know, it's a wonderful addiction, isn't it. Hopefully my parcel will arrive today.

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    1. Thanks, Linny. I think it is safe to say I am addicted to gardening and buying plants. I have emailed you about the progress of the parcel so far...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. Such a beautiful place. The carpets of snowdrops really do look like snow don't they! xx

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    1. Thanks, Amy. It really did look like snow from a distance and I was amazed by the vast numbers flowering. It was a lovely place to visit.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. So many snowdrops they are, and it looks just like snow!
    Someday I want to visit Britain this season.

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    1. Thanks, Poirot. They did look like snow and were very beautiful. I hope that one day you will be able to visit at this time of year - there are lots of gardens open during winter that you can visit. I always find it interesting visiting in winter because you can see the structure and design of the garden much more easily.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  5. I enjoyed the tour, what a lovely place, very much in keeping with my idea of England.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thanks, Amalia and welcome! It was a lovely visit and when the sun shines, late Winter in the UK is really beautiful. Snowdrops are one of my favourite flowers and I love to see them in huge drifts. In my small garden, they are dotted about in small clumps and it just isn't the same!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  6. What a great garden tour Ellie! Beautiful pictures with all those snowdrops...
    So nice to have a reminder of this great day in you own garden.
    Lots of love from Mirjam.

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    1. Thanks, Mirjam. I am really pleased that we visited Easton Walled Gardens this year. Sometimes, it is good to break with tradition and go somewhere different. I am really hoping to have some time in my garden over this weekend - pruning is calling and planting roses and peonies!
      Best wishes for a happy rest of the week.
      Ellie

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