Visit to RHS Garden Rosemoor-25 February 2012

[David Nicholson]

Just a few images from yesterdays visit to Rosemoor. Rosemoor is in the northern part of Devon, a drive of about an hour and a half for us. It was misty but dry(for a change) at home but as we crossed Dartmoor we ran into drizzle and more mist and did think about diverting to Exeter and shopping instead but thoughts about the state of the wallet persuaded me to continue since the other party involved appeared to have no strong thoughts either way. It was dry but cloudy at Rosemoor throughout the visit and as we got back in the car the sun broke through and was with us most of the way home.

The alpine house, quite colourful inside with rather "routine" stuff brought in for display. Not a patch on the alpine house at Harlow Carr (not as large either) which is really frst class.

Drifts of Crocus tommasinianus and Cyclamen coum in many ares of the garden.

Edgeworthia chrysantha which always intrigues me and I seem to picture it whenever I see it. Don't think it would do well in my garden though.

Lots of Daffs open and many more to come throughout the garden but I particularly like the drifts of narcissus cyclaminius

One that Giles may know more about and it filled the air around with it's scent Prunus mume 'Beni-shidari'

The Lake-I had gone down to see if the Primulas were out but was too early.

[David Nicholson]

... and there you go, I forgot Edgeworthia chrysantha.

[Lina Hesseling]

David, I have great memories of Rosemoor Garden. It must have been more then 20 years ago, when I visited the garden in summerholidays together with my oldest son. I remember the new build wall of the vegetable garden. And many, many roses. You must have had a great time.

Lina.

[David Nicholson]

Yes Linda, we try to go to Rosemoor at least once in each season of the year. The tall walls of the vegetable garden are now used to grow peaches, apricots and nectarines behind large wooden frames covered with polythene to keep the frost off. The rose gardens (and Devon is not a good place to grow roses, too wet and prone to fungal diseases) were re-planted a couple of years ago and look quite spectacular in June/July.

[Lesley Cox]

One of those odd co-incidences as just on Saturday I was speaking with Dunedin Forumist Susan, about Rosemoor and its creator Lady Anne Berry. She had written an article in the Rhododendron Species Foundation Bulletin, which as it happens has just come into my hands from another Forumist. The Lady Anne (as she still insists on being referred to) has been resident in NZ for many years and is well known in Rhododendron circles. Her husband Bob Berry was involved in the creation of one of the superb arboteta which are in the North Island. I believe he must be her second husband as she refers in her article to her husband (of Rosemoor days) as Eric. They are elderly now, both probably over 90.

[David Nicholson]

Lady Anne is 93. More details on this Wikipedia page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Anne_Berry

[Lesley Cox]

Thank you David for that very interesting link. I enjoyed it very much and feel I might like Lady Anne better than I thought I would have, if you see what I mean, though Susan knows her a little and likes her. So, a Walpole, such a distinguished family. I have Delphinium orfordii. It is American I think but I wonder if there is a connection between the earls and the plant name?