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Visit to Dottydaisy's NGS Open Garden Day

63 comments


The sky was grey, but the wind had died down a lot since the day before and it was dry! We drove along the M27 most of the way, took about an hour from our home to
Lee-on-Solent and found ourselves along the coastal road, with views across to the Isle of Wight. When Dotty said she’s only five minutes from the beach, she wasn’t kidding!

We followed the bright yellow NGS ‘Open Garden’ sign and arrived just after 2 o’clock.

I had made a ‘growsonyou’ badge for the day, so Dotty saw it, I introduced myself and then there were big hugs all round! I’m sure she thought we weren’t going to arrive unless the sun was out.

So, here’s my take on the visit, starting at the front garden. Note the plants for sale in the pots . . .

We paid our entrance fee, taken by Dotty’s lovely grandchildren and entered the garden via the side gate, a watering can made a novel doorstop . . .

This side area is so full of interest . . .

Here’s my OH eyeing up the very attractive water butt . . .

Almost in the back garden . . .

Lovely selection of succulents here . . .

Here we are at the very back of the garden . . .

Now we’ll wander back towards the house, through the pergola archways, stopping to admire the wonderful plants in this beautifully arranged garden . . .

Looked up to see some familiar faces … here’s Floribunda with her OH and Cinderella … busy listening to my OH . . .

Time for a cuppa and a cake … just look at these fantastic cakes … I had a delicious coconut one . . .

Fed and watered so it’s back outdoors to admire the plants . . .

Here’s Cinderella taking some photos . . .

Lots more interesting plants to see . . .

Just love this sign … but it’s certainly not true! I overheard a visitor say “I thought my garden was nice, until I came here!”

Cinderella and I swapped plants from our gardens … a Heuchera and a Rudbeckia for me … and some Sweet Peas from Dottydaisy . . .

Many congratulations to Dottydaisy, and her family, for opening their delightful garden. Hopefully, Cinderella & Floribunda will post blogs too, as I managed to lose a few of my pics from camera to computer!’

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Comments

 

Wow, what a fantstic blog, the photos are wonderful. the garden is a dream and the cakes look delicious, so glad you all had a wonderful day and met up,great to put faces to names also, thanks for sharing Shirley, glad Michael is looking well,

30 May, 2011

 

Oh thanks, Yorkshire, I 'lost' a whole row of pics from the computer screen so I was very cross with myself. The garden is just packed with plants, really, really lovely. I like the pale grey-green colour on the little sheds and arbours. So, the image you had of me is completely destroyed now! Michael is much better, as you can see, and was on his best behaviour ... lol! Can you believe it, still no rain for us . . . .

30 May, 2011

 

Excellent blog Shirley, really enjoyed your photos of Dotty's beautiful garden, thank you. It all looks so beautiful and well groomed in a natural way, just perfect. Well done you and well done Dotty.

30 May, 2011

 

how lovely for you Shirley... lovely garden and pics....gla dyou had a good time with the other g o y ers......Dottydaisys garden looks lovely... and as for those lovely cakes..... they look to good to eat....

30 May, 2011

 

Lovely blog Shirley, you had different shots to me, very nice. It really was a lovely garden and great afternoon. So nice to meet up.

30 May, 2011

 

As ever, Dawn, it's so much better to have seen all those wonderful plants first-hand! Still, the pics on Cinderella's blog are different to mine, so there's lots to see. : o )

Holly, Michael asked if I was just going to photo the cake and not eat it! It certainly was a lovely afternoon and good to meet other members too. : o )

Cinders, I keep remembering all the those lovely Roses and Clems ... stunning colour and scent too. : o )

30 May, 2011

 

A different perspective on DDs garden Shirley, its still beautifull :) I like the colour of the paintwork to, the plants do the talking.. The second pic you took with the watering can is Amazing, very artistic, All your pics are great but that one is my favourite. The cakes Mmmm, I could just eat one, DDs daughter is talented as well, just like her mum.. I really love this garden, I wish it wasn't so far from me..

30 May, 2011

 

Too far for me, too, but thanks SO MUCH for sharing your visit with all those photos, Shirley. It looks wonderful, and what fun to meet other GoYers . . . I'll be at Spritz's on Thursday (B&B booked), so must remember my camera, lol.

30 May, 2011

 

I WISH I WAS THERE. MAGNIFICENT.

30 May, 2011

 

Thanks, Ydd, it really is a well-thought out garden ... when we had our refreshemnt break we looked through a photo album which showed the progress from day one ... it's really hard to believe it's the same garden! Dotty's OH told us they brought hundreds of plants from their previous house and the removal men were just so careful with them . . . .

You're most welcome, Sheila. I wonder just how many visitors were there? I'm sure Dotty will tell us soon.
Charge that camera up before you go to see Spritz's garden ... there'll be so much to take pics of . . . .

30 May, 2011

 

what a lovely garden don't know what to look at first!
I do like the heucheras in an urn -- I want to do something like it.....thanks Shirley xxx

30 May, 2011

 

Looks like you guys had a great day out together, lovely to meet you all in the blog, pleased Dotty had a good day for her open garden, the cakes look scrumptious, the garden looks beautiful and everyone looks happy and contented. Well done Dottydaisy great blog Shirley, good to see everyone is well again.

30 May, 2011

 

Coshad, it truly was! ..... That planting in the urn is just wonderful, Pam. Pleased you like it too. : o ) Oliveoil, it was a great afternoon out and is only about an hour's drive away for us so we'll be able to visit another time!

30 May, 2011

 

Good tip, Shirley, the camera battery only seems to last minutes. But OH will always have his mobile phone as a back-up . . .

30 May, 2011

 

lovely photos shirley ~ thank you, isnt it a perfect garden ~ i find it incredible that you can create somewhere without a fault ~ tet's garden is like that too.
those cakes look absolutely brilliant.

30 May, 2011

 

Sheilabub buy batteries especially for cameras they last longer than ordinary re-chargeable ones. I found this out a while ago.

30 May, 2011

 

Sticki ... we couldn't believe how much has been achieved when we saw the pics of how the garden looked when they moved in ... totally unrecognisable. The cakes were fantastic . . . .

30 May, 2011

 

i wish i had been there ~ very grateful for your photos tho. perhaps dotty could be persuaded to put some of the old photos on a blog so we can all learn how they created such a wonderful garden

30 May, 2011

 

She may read that comment and put it into practise for us ... lol!

30 May, 2011

 

if dotty doesnt mind it would be great.
my garden has sort of developed but probably not the right way ~ i see a plant i like and put it in ~ anywhere there is a space ~ although i try to match it to what it wants in terms of sun and soil.
now i need to move things round to make it look good. but i dont think i will ever achieve what dotty has

30 May, 2011

 

Ye of little faith, Sticki. I've been here for 10 years and still move things around. In fact, I need to ask a question tomorrow re. moving a plant which should have grown up into a small shrub, but, it's stayed low and spread out. Grrr!

30 May, 2011

 

A lovely garden. I know DD has lots of succulants. Pitty it's so far away. I would have loved to see them. It's nice to meet other GoY friends aswell :)

30 May, 2011

 

Brilliant blog Shirley and lovely to have some further insight into Dotty's lovely garden. I have a pic of it in my faves. Those cakes look truly wonderful, far too good to eat.......well, maybe not :o) Sorry you still have no rain as ........yes, we finally DO have some, proper stuff too. At last!!
Lovely to see pics of other Goyers including your goodself :o))

30 May, 2011

 

Hywel, you'd have loved seeing those succulents in the flesh ... pun intended ... lol! : o ))

Pleased you enjoyed Dd's garden, Lily. It's nice to have a face to the name isn't it? I asked Michael to get the growsonyou badge I'm wearing in the pic ... he failed miserably though ... lol!

30 May, 2011

 

lol :D

30 May, 2011

 

Enjoyed this blog - lovely garden and lovely pictures.

30 May, 2011

 

Lovely blog and great pics,Shirley..you have really captured it well...and nice to see you all having alovely day out..My,don't you all scrub up well ? .Lol.I don't think I have a favourite,as everything is beautiful..although there is a lady smiling,feeling some grass! was she alright,do you think ?:o)))))))

30 May, 2011

 

she looks happy enough to me!

30 May, 2011

 

How lovely to see Dd's garden - you were lucky! I really wanted to go - but it's too far, and of course I'm juuuuust a bit busy at the moment. lol.

So glad it went well for her and her husband, though. The first time is the hardest!

30 May, 2011

 

I'm sure she was,Sticki...it's nice to be happy..:o))

30 May, 2011

 

It's lovely to see how different people interpret the same garden, and what a garden...perfection! As were the buns, sorry! You call them cakes! It was great to see all the smiley faces of the Goy gang, I can think what you look like as I type now! your pics are great!
Dotty's garden is just beautiful, and an absolute credit to her and her hubby, I hope she's very proud and content!

31 May, 2011

 

The garden speaks volumes of love and care...
but oh those cakes...mouthwateringly yummy :o) blow the diet..

31 May, 2011

 

Thanks Sheilar : o ) ..... Bloomer, those grasses were asking to be touched! lol! ..... We really enjoyed the garden, Spritz. Best wishes for your forthcoming open days too. : o )) ..... Libet, at one point, there were too many people around to get a 'person-free' photo! ..... Crissue, attention to detail everywhere, it was a beautiful garden. Oh, the cake was pretty good too! And we could see the Isle of Wight across the Solent, your former home I believe. : o )

31 May, 2011

 

fantastic blog ................... lovely to see some one elses take on it as well , wish i cud have gon , it looks a great part of the country ............... and near the sea as well lovly !!!! , and yummy cakes to boot , its lov ely to put fases to names as well lol ............... you all look lovely !!! so no more hideing

31 May, 2011

 

Thanks, Cristina, it really was a very happy afternoon in Dd's garden. : o )

31 May, 2011

 

What a lovely garden and great blog. Excellent tip about the camera batteries too. I went to see 16 local gardens last week and fell at the first hurdle - which happened to be a beautiful garden once belonging to Beverley Nichols - got a pic of the front of the house and then the camera gave up. So disappointing.

31 May, 2011

 

Lovely blog Shirley, it's nice to see Dotty's garden from different angles and the photos of happy GOYers together!

1 Jun, 2011

 

That's a shame, Ginellie, think of the pics we could have seen!

It was hard to find a space to stand for a good pic ... that'll be the 140 visitors in the garden then ... lol!

1 Jun, 2011

 

Lovely blog Shirley & some great pics,the garden looks soo nice with lots of colour, glad you all had a great day out..its nice to meet other GoYers..and didnt you all look grand..:o)

1 Jun, 2011

 

Interesting set of pics... very successful day :o)

1 Jun, 2011

 

Joan, there was so much to see, loved it! Good to meet some GoYers too. : o )) ..... Indeed it was, Tt. Dotty was pleasantly surprised at the amount of visitors too. : o ))

1 Jun, 2011

 

great blog and photos, very inspirational beautiful garden.

3 Jun, 2011

 

Pleased you liked Dd's garden, Daylily. : o )

3 Jun, 2011

 

What a lovely garden and such gorgeous cakes! I particularly like that picture looking out from under the archway where everythings all green and lush. What I tell my mum to do if something dissappears on her computer unexpectedly is to click 'edit, undo' before anything else, and sometimes it will re-appear :) Might be worth a go if it happens again. Its interesting seeing such a garden from three different perspectives... :]

4 Jun, 2011

 

Shirley your pics are really outstanding, I felt as if I really could walk through that pergola archway, and you look tickled pink by that grass you were fondling.
Wish it wasn`t so far away for me to visit but you`ve done it justice and I`ve enjoyed my virtual stroll.

4 Jun, 2011

 

Thanks for the computer tip, Jennyfer, I've made a note of it ... lol! We three didn't really duplicate any pics, so Dd's garden has come across the screen rather well. . . .

Pleased you like the pics, Stroller. I was smiling at that grass tickling my hand and Michael 'clicked' the camera just at that moment! It was a pleasure to have visited the garden. : o ))

4 Jun, 2011

 

just loved this blog it was so nice to meet friends on GOy, what a loveley gathering , Dottys garden looks beautiful full of interest and those cakes look very tempting, would have loved being among visitors meeting everyone, thanks for sharing ;0))

4 Jun, 2011

 

It was a beautifully planted garden, Pp, even though the weather was a bit grey & chilly, it still looked lovely. Good to meet some GoYers as well. The cakes were great too, I speak as one who knows! Just the one, mind you ... lol!

4 Jun, 2011

 

Shirley, this blog was wonderful, i really enjoyed it..DD has some beautiful plants, the succlents, that gorgeous red dianthus...The Heucheras...the list is endless....Nice to see you ladies too..:>)

5 Jun, 2011

 

Hi to you and Cinders Shirley (Flori Ive met), great blog and can only endorse the remarks already made. Some great pictures.
Those cakes tho...I will have to starve the day before I go lol! Then I wont feel so bad about biting into such perfection!

6 Jun, 2011

 

A great blog Shirley with terrific photos - thanks for sharing them with us. It must've been a great day out and a treat to meet other GOYers too, (the badge was a good idea, I've often wondered how many GOYers I may have passed in gardens and never realised).

6 Jun, 2011

 

Glad you enjoyed the 'virtual tour' around Dd's garden, Motty. : o )

Tet, I never did manage to retrieve the pics of the jungle area. They must be floating around in Cyberspace still! One cake won't harm . ..

You're welcome, Muddy, the growsonyou badge was good, but I can't take credit for it as our son printed it off for me! Far too tecchie for me to do ... lol!

6 Jun, 2011

amy
Amy
 

Thanks Shirley for an enchanting trip round Dd's garden , gosh there's so much packed into it what a wonderful place to visit I'm glad you all had a lovely time it was great being able to meet up with other GOY members with so much in common .. :o)

6 Jun, 2011

 

Thanks, Amy, it was a lovely afternoon.

6 Jun, 2011

 

Really enjoyed your lovely blog of a great garden:-)

8 Jun, 2011

 

Thanks, Ba Have you viewed Cinderella's and Flori's blogs too? Even more to see of this lovely garden . . . .

8 Jun, 2011

 

great blog shirley and so lovely to see you and hubby along with flori and cinders, looked like you all had the best time with dotty and her lovely garden.. and cakes lol, great pictures :o)))

12 Jun, 2011

 

Good to read your comments, San and hope things are a little better for you now. It certainly was an afternoon to remember ... and not just for the cakes ... lol! : o ))

12 Jun, 2011

 

lol thanx shirley, just having short visits but i have missed you all so much, im so jelous you have been to dottys lol but glad you enjoyed it all :o)

12 Jun, 2011

 

: o ))))

12 Jun, 2011

 

Oh my goodness me Shirley........you did so well replying to all those lovely comments...... thank you, I had no idea, you wouldn't recognise the garden today it is like a jungle everything has gone mad, and the design is so different....
For all those kind GOYers and you Shirley....... many, many, thanks.

2 Aug, 2016

 

You are most welcome Angela ... :o))

4 Aug, 2016

 

Thank you...xxx

4 Aug, 2016

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