Garden visit to Hadlow college gardens

Sounds like the perfect day out - a walk, a friend, plants, garden shop, then tea and cake. What more could one ask?

lovely pics, Poppy - the Corus is particularly striking, but the Snowdrops and Iris run them a close second for quiet, understated beauty.

Looking forward to seeing what you bought while you were there,

~Thanks ojib It was a really sunny day which made it even nicer. So nice to get out in February! Another bonus was Willy found a free booklet based on the 'yellow book'. It only includes open gardens in Kent, but thats just what were interested in!! - really pleased with that.
Hi Fran
Im very quickly becoming addicted to hellebores! I didnt buy any (which is very strange for me) -1. because they were a bit pricey (large pots) 2. because Im after darker colours. Ive got a couple on order as we speak! Im also saving up for some martagon lilies... got a bid on ebay! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Glad you both had a lovely day out together.. another friendship in progress,it seems :o)...looks a very nice place to visit,Poppy..hope your Hellebores arrive soon..and you are lucky with your bid on Ebay..:o)

How lovely, Poppy, to meet a friend in such an inspiring place, and see lovely drifts of snowdrops, Hellebores and Cornus. Yes, those free NGS leaflets for each county are brilliant! Thanks for sharing your outing. :))

:- ))) Thanks Bloomer. Its always nicer to walk around Gardens with friends. I think I may have been sent to a funny farm years ago (for being caught talking to myself) If I didnt walk around with a gardening friend!!

fingers duly crossed, Poppy ...

Hi Poppy, photos came out fine, see your better than you think.
We had a lovely day didn't we. Can't wait to go back in the summer to see the difference.
Hi to everyone else, I see Poppy only saw to tell you about tea & cake, well that was in the morning. A lovely lunch of Welsh rarebit & goats cheese tart followed.
Well all that walking gives you a good appitite!!

I agree,Poppy..and as for talking to yourself,i think we all do that..It's when you answer,that's the problem ! Lol.

Willinilly..glad you enjoyed it too..lunch as well ? that was a good day out then..:o)

Great day out for you both then, nothing better to see than clumps of bulbs coming into flower, signs of more to come, the sun shining on the Cornus is a smashing pic, others are very good as well..

*s* can't keep secrets on GoY ..

lol Bloomer, what I mind about taling to myself is that I keep losing the argument!

You're not asking yourself the right questions,Fran ! Lol.
So,you need to start a conversation about drills and saws..and their versatility..you will definitely win that argument.:o)) Lol.

What an enjoyable day's outing for you both.
Your photos are lovely...
Looking forward to seeing the pics. from your next visit. :o)

lol Bloomer.

The "then and now" comarison photos will be very interesting, Poppy, especially if you can find the same plants in what will then doubless be a riot of plants

Hi Willi - youve blown my cover now! lol. Im sure we'll find lots more places to do lunch and maybe cake as well. It was exceptionally nice there! must watch the waistline though.
Thanks Bloomer, Sheila, Terra, Lincs and Fran too. I will try to get some photos so you can compare. Alot of it was out of bounds to visitors because they are working on it. Alot of hardlandscaping going on and total revamps - things being knocked down. - Maybe one for you Fran!!! It will be interesting to see what theyve done

Ha Ha Sorry Poppy, just thought it was too nice not to mention.
Do you know whats on the menu at Wisley! Lol.

Dont know W, but I do know they have a new restaurant opening this year!!!! woooo hooooo!!!

thanks, Poppy! but as and when, and if and when. lol I could always try going myself and see for myself!

I agree with all that Ojib has already said - What a perfect day, out with a like minded friend, plants, garden shop then tea and cake... Sounds like Heaven!!!

Fran - I dont see why not, you dont live that far away do you? - let us know if you do decide to go and maybe we can meet you there.
Petal - Yes a really nice day. Have you managed to get hold of one of those free leaflets? (NGS/gardens open for charity) Lots of interesting ads in there too.

What a lovely-sounding place. I do hope you go again later on. I love to see the early flowers though. They are so welcome after the winter.

Lovely! That COrnus almost looks like a forest fire! :)))

thanks, Poppy! I'm in Bethnal Green, East London, and I have no idea where Hadlow is - time to get out my maps, or at least start quizzing GoY and Google

with the sun behind it, Pixi, I had to look twice!

Thats what I said Pixi when we saw them, they were wonderful.
Poppylover told me they were really easy to strike & we did find abit broken off but were to chicken to take it home.

Ach! you should have! ;)
Yeah had another look Fran :)

Hadlow is quite near Tonbridge Fran - South-west of London, so not too far for you! I have seen some of those colour graduated cornus in places like B&Q. Nothing could measure up to seeing them all planted en masse like these ones though.
Thats just how I feel Hywel. What does 'ach' mean Pix?...lol Willie you need to have your little snippers in your bag!!! My face gives everything away - I always look guilty if Ive nipped anything!!

thanks for the info, Poppy: I don't get out much (I'm sad, *s*) but I'll look it up and check how-to-get-there sounds well worth the effort!

I've never been anywhere to "nip" anything, but if I ever saw anything on the ground ... even if that took an "accdiental" bump to arrange ...

I dunno maybe s++t you should have.;p;

:-D

Just a Scottish thing lol Och or ach! :)

I guessed as much Pix. you even write with a scottish accent! :-)))))

or with Scotch??

oh no way i dont drink Scotch...bleh! ..actually i rarely drink alcohol :)

Sounds like the perfect day out.....