More Open Gardens 2015

It was Open Gardens at my mum's village last Sunday, so we went along to support them.  We had lovely sunny weather in which to enjoy walking round the village.  These first three photos show the amazing clematis at one of the gardens (it was my favourite, partly because it was very romantic and exuberant, with lots of roses and clematis).  

 The clematis plants were so healthy and full of flowers.  The owner said that she didn't feed them and hadn't done anything to them except prune annually.

 They must be exceptionally happy in her garden.

 Another garden had a border full of delphiniums,  I always admire these plants, but can't grow them in my garden, due to the slug and snail population.

 This was the verge opposite one of the houses, full of wildflowers.

Chris and I both enjoyed the wooded area in this garden.  It was a rented house and the current occupier told us he would love to buy it.  The main part of the garden led out onto a meadow and then to this wooded area, with wild roses dotted amongst the trees.

 It was a magical place.  I loved the way the shadows were cast by the trees in these photographs.

As a contrast to the informality, this garden displayed the owner's care, attention, hard work and love of formality with an impressive vegetable plot.  He was growing an enormous number of peas - obviously his family really enjoy them!  On the other side of the garden, to the right of the photograph, there was a flower garden too, which again was extremely well tended and cared for.
It really struck me how much the gardens reflected their owners - I wonder what my garden says about me?!

Open Gardens 2015

 There were some gardens open near Lincoln Cathedral last Sunday, so we made the most of the beautiful weather and went to explore. I was taken with one garden's view of the Cathedral and totally forgot to take any photos of the garden itself.

When this view is across the road, is it any wonder that I was distracted?

 The first garden also had a lovely view across to the Cathedral close.

 At the next garden, I must admit to feeling a little envious of this view across the city.

 One garden had made the most of every space there was and we were very impressed with the array of fruit grown in tubs and boxes, including raspberries, gooseberries, currants and cherries to name but a few.

 There were little corners of lovely planting and this red rose caught my eye.

 This garden (which was my favourite) had an Italian feel, enhanced by the statues dotted around the garden. Everywhere you looked, there was something else to see.  Both of us really liked the pet graveyard area in a quiet and secluded part of the garden.  There were gravestones to pets from Victorian times and the current owner had continued the tradition.  It was very moving.

We spoke to the owner who said his wife wasn't always keen to see more bits and pieces appear in the garden, but we replied that this gave the garden its character.  It was a quirky and beautiful space and I am so pleased that we had the opportunity to see it. I really enjoy looking at other people's gardens and always come away with ideas.