Open Garden - 9th August 2009

8 comments

Well it’s all over until the next time!

The annual opening of my garden under the Yellow Book scheme always seems to dominate my gardening year. Holidays must be worked around the date, visits to Garden Centres made to plug any glaring gaps, the calendar kept clear for at least one week before for preparation and preening. Will the weather be kind? How many visitors will turn up – after all, it is now prime holiday season and August garden openings are nearly as rare as solar eclipses. And the pond is leaking badly.

Heavy rain three days before our opening followed by kinder conditions meant all the jobs were completed – greenhouse cleaned, paths swept, plants deadheaded and all was ready. A mild panic as neither of my helpers had turned up at five minutes before opening time but they appeared in the nick of time just as the visitors turned up.

Welcome to Devonia

The front garden to the left of the gate

Or the borders to the right

Must check the plant sales table

The autumn border is just starting to come into flower, right on cue

View back to the house from the top of the garden

And the view sitting on the patio at the end of your tour (I’ve cheated and taken this photo on Saturday evening because of the light falling at the far end, you can see the pond is still being filled)

Last year we had 91 visitors; this year we hoped to get to one hundred. At the end of the afternoon, we had received 148! We’d better start planning now if we are to beat that figure next year.

Thanks to Lily2 and Ginellie who visited – it was nice to put faces to two other GOYers.

10 Aug, 2009
10 likes

Comments

Louise1

What a great day for you, and to have increased your numbers too :)

Your garden looks wonderful, i particularly liked the 1st photo, leading the way forward with plants and the 2nd from last one too ... leading the way through the archway.
So much colour and interest in the garden :)

10 Aug, 2009

Sanbaz

hi andrew so glad your day went so well and your helpers turned up in time, well done on beating last years record numbers to, take a deep breath and relax now, you earned it , and the garden looks so lovely wish i could have joined you to, :o))

10 Aug, 2009

Terratoonie

Pretty garden...wonderful set of pictures...
and I'm pleased the weather was kind for you...
Good luck with your pond repairs... :o)

10 Aug, 2009

Indypendant

Nice garden ,Andrew. you can see the love and the hard work, thanks for the tour!

10 Aug, 2009

Lily2

I enjoyed seeing your lovely garden for real Andrew. You have so many unusual plants and such an interesting layout. I didn't get to ask you about your plans for the new part so it will be a surprise next year. Such a shame to miss Ginellie by a few minutes! Perfect weather too. It was good to meet you and I'm delighted it was so well attended.

10 Aug, 2009