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Archive for the ‘Gardens to visit’ Category

Anmnarose's WC Garden in Peckham

Anna Rose Hughes’ converted toilet in Peckham is a master class in how to get the most out of a skinny space, where the width of most of the garden is not much more than a corridor.

Planting @ WC @Vangaurd Cout by Anna Rose Hughes 3

The raised beds allow you to get up close and personal with the choice planting (above Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ and Geum ‘Tangerine Dream’),

WC @Vangaurd Cout by Anna Rose Hughes

and whatever angle you view it from, this tiny garden has masses of interest.

WC @Vangaurd Cout by Anna Rose Hughes 3

On her website, Anna Rose has thoughtfully provided a planting list and an exquisite short film, (about a minute and a half) of how this garden came together. No mean feat.

Anmnarose's fernery in the toilet 3

On the way in, sinks have been artfully converted into a fernery and this weekend  (15th and 16th June 2013) there’ll be an exhibition in this space: The Nomadic Reading Room, featuring artists’ books and printed ephemera. In fact, Vanguard Court is packed full of artist studios (including Robert Cooper’s fab ceramics) that will be opening their doors, along with the garden, both Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 5pm. Certainly worth a visit. (Vanguard Court is at 36-38 Peckham Road, Camberwell, SE5 8QT-it’s a small turning off the main road and the newly converted toilet is at the rear of the yard.)

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Verbascuum in Hare Court by the Iner Temple, EC4

I’ve been itching to write about Andrea Brunsendorf’s fabulous sculptural planting ever since I saw it at the weekend at the Inner Temple Garden’s Dog Show. This was another very enjoyable Chelsea Fringe event, and even though the Fringe and the dog show are over, there are still ample opportunities to visit the Inner Temple Gardens. They’re tucked in behind Fleet Street (accessed by the main gate opposite Crown Office Row) and can be visited weekdays from 12.30-3pm.

Verbascuum in Hare Court by the Inner Temple, EC4 2

This wild planting is in Hare Court, just round the corner from the main gardens and the Inner Temple Church.

100 Verbascum Inner Temple Gardens

The surreal sight of a hundred Verbascum alongside a pared back palette of other plants (Euphorbias, Fennel, Yew and Verbenas) in this ordinarily conservative courtyard just made my heart sing. I found myself dragging others along from the main gardens to share in my delight.

No Dogs Allowed

Back to the dog show, and visiting dogs are not usually allowed in the Inns of Court,

Dog Show

which made the afternoon’s main event even more enjoyable. Hosted by head gardener Andrea Brunsendorf, it was a very jolly affair with 4 categories,

Doggies at Dog Show

and loads of canine entrants!

geoff winning 2nd Prize

I was rather taken by Geoff, who won second prize for dog the judges would most like to take home,

Susan Close up

and I think the engaging Susan won third prize for dog with the waggiest tail.

Allium and yellow aquilegia

The tulips are now over in the borders, but there are still plenty of stunning combinations to see,

Suumer planting in Inner Temple Gardens, EC1 2

and the planting of Verbenas, Cosmos, Eucalyptus, Cleomes and Salvias will be reason enough for a repeat visit to this wonderful garden later on in the summer.

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Chelsea Fringe Day 2013 Ambler Road London N4

The Chelsea Fringe has drawn to a close for this year, but there were over 200 events in London alone, and some very jolly horticulturally themed happenings and gorgeous gardens to visit throughout the 3 week period (more on this in next post).

Our own Cake Sunday a week ago was a hugely enjoyable afternoon. Fortunately we had bright sunny skies and the delightful trio, above, of Chelsea Pensioners, John, Bob and Bill opening our afternoon for us.

Chelsea Fringe Day 2013 Ambler Road London N4

Tim Bushe gave a marvellous topiary demonstration,

Elephants after Cake Sunday trim

resulting in our herd looking more elephanty than ever (after their fifth cut),

Chelsea Fringe Day 2013 Ambler Road London N4

cakes (and consumers) were plentiful,

Chelsea Fringe Day 2013 Ambler Road London N4

and the chilled atmosphere allowed both neighbours and visitors to mingle and chat, collect free plants, seeds

Chelsea Fringe Day 2013 Ambler Road London N4

and conjure up a good number of seed bombs. Hopefully our streets will look the greener for it later in the year!

Chelsea Fringe Day 2013 Ambler Road London N4

Finally, our splendid afternoon was perfectly rounded off by Jo Stephenson from ‘Can You Dig It’ singing songs from the allotment and encouraging Finsbury Park residents to join in with choruses about cauliflowers. Not sure that we’ll be able to top this next year!…..

p.s. Michelle from Veg Plotting encouraged other bloggers to virtually join in with tea and cake events all over the country with The Bloggers’ Cut-great to see others embracing the connection between cake and gardening!

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