Norfolk-June 2015

[David Nicholson]

Just back home from a few days visiting friends in Norwich. We made our first visit to Felbrigg Hall a National trust property 5/6 miles from the coast between Sheringham and Cromer. Interesting house, excellent park-land (where we managed to miss a wild orchid site!) and some fine old Rhododendrons around the house. The star of the show though was as fine a walled garden as I've ever seen and the few pics I took were all from there. Nice to see some Meconopsis too.

[David Nicholson]

Although we have been to Sheringham Park a number of times we have always been a little early to catch them at their best but this year we were later and they were beginning to go over.

Again just a few pictures. The first is taken from one of the viewing towers with the sea in the back-ground. The sea also in the background in the second. The third a Rhododendron flower form that appealed to me.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Very nice, love the Echiums!

[David Nicholson]

Yes, I was surprised to see them Ralph. We get them in one or two gardens in Devon and Cornwall (Sidmouth Connaught Gardens for one) but I didn't expect to see them in Norfolk.

[Graeme]

Did you go to West Acre?

[Brian Ellis]

Yes, I was surprised to see them Ralph. We get them in one or two gardens in Devon and Cornwall (Sidmouth Connaught Gardens for one) but I didn't expect to see them in Norfolk.

They do appear in several gardens David, and we have grown them in the past.  You must go to East Ruston if you haven't already visited - good cake!

[Alan_b]

A friend in my locale grew one of the giant Echiums a few years ago.  It set seed and he distributed the seedlings around the village.  Then we had a hard winter and none survived. 

[Brian Ellis]

Well it is tenderish and does need a bit of cosseting.  We must grow it again

[David Nicholson]

Did you go to West Acre?

No Graham, not on this visit but we have been in previous years. Been to East Ruston quite a few years ago Brian and wasn't particularly taken by it. Perhaps we should give it another chance.

[Brian Ellis]

Perhaps we should give it another chance.

Probably a good idea if you have not been for some time.  The new Walled Garden is interesting and we generally find that there is some part that is really good when we visit...not that we go that often.  One year we caught the hydrangea collection at just the right time and it was phenomenal

[Graeme]

No Graham, not on this visit but we have been in previous years. Been to East Ruston quite a few years ago Brian and wasn't particularly taken by it. Perhaps we should give it another chance.

I am off work at the end of July and we normally fit an overnight stay in Norfolk - West Acre for the Rhodohypoxis - Norfolk Lavender as my wife grows a lot of Lavender - need to find a National Trust property as well as someone has given us a years subscription.
Any suggestions for good alpine nurseries or National Trust properties? - used to alway go and see Hythe Alpines but sadly now defunct

[Alan_b]

Located off the beaten track so not well-known, but I like Oxburgh Hall http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburgh-hall/ .  A little moated 'castle' with walks and a small garden.

[Brian Ellis]

I would also suggest the gorgeous Blickling Hall, they have done a lot with the garden over the last few years returning it to a Nancy Lindsey type planting.  Felbrigg is also an interesting property in a different way with a lovely walled garden.

[Alan_b]

And of course there is Sherringham Park http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park/visitor-information/

Famous for its vast collection of rhododendrons and azaleas

which is quite close to Felbrigg Hall.

[David King]

Been to East Ruston quite a few years ago Brian and wasn't particularly taken by it. Perhaps we should give it another chance.

We were there on Saturday evening for the Norfolk Plant Heritage summer social. It looked really good with a mass of colour and the Hydrangeas were in full flow.  Late July and August seems to be one of the times to go as we have always enjoyed it more then.  Some pictures from Saturday evening.