Visit to Knighthayes Court-26 April 2008

[David Nicholson]

It was a lovely Spring day today with temperatures nudging 20C and we decided to pay a visit to Knighthays Court a National trust property near Tiverton in Devon, about 50 miles North East of where I live and perhaps as far away from a coast as anywhere in Devon (50 miles or so).

We were not sure if there would be a lot to see (our garden is reaching the end of it's Spring display with only Narcissus Baby Moon yet to come into flower-it's in bud though!) but we were very wrong as the Spring display at Knightshayes just couldn't have been better. Those few extra miles away from the coast, and the fact that it is very much a woodland garden have given it cooler conditions and it has certainly coped with the frost we have had this year much better than my own garden has.

I took a lot of pictures and most of them I will post here really for the benefit of those friends overseas who have fewer chances to see a really 'English' spring woodland garden.

To start with then, a few general views of the House and grounds.

[David Nicholson]

More from Knightshayes Court.

Pictures never do justice to mass plantings of Spring flowers but I hope these at least give a flavour of the carpets of flowers under the various tree canopies.

[David Nicholson]

.... and yet more......

Rhododendrons were at their best, many un-named, where a name was available it is shown in the picture file name.

[David Nicholson]

... and more....

Magnolis were outstanding, Erythroniums were everywhere, and Trilliums were brilliant.

[David Nicholson]

and to finish, a few general flower pics.

[Lvandelft]

What a beautiful garden David. Thank you for showing these pictures.
I can virtually smell Spring being already in Devon now.

[Lvandelft]

And one question.
Is the Anthemis A. cupaniana?
Have not seen this for long now.

[Paddy Tobin]

As ever, David, a great report on your garden visit. I have, of course, heard of Knighthayes but have never visited. It is one for a promised trip to Devon and Cornwall at some stage in the future.

Great show, many thanks. Paddy

[Paul T]

Fantastic pics David.  That first pink Erythronium is a wonderful colouration, whatever it is, and those Trillium!!!    So many wonderful things in your photos.  Thanks. 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Great set of pix David !
You can hardly illustrate the Spring feeling in a British garden any better than this I guess ! 
Thanks a lot for taking you on this trip !

[ian mcenery]

David great visit. I haven't been for a long time and it seems next time I go to Cornwall I should make a detour

Many thanks for sharing

By the way have you visited Tregrehane near St Austell it was the home of the Carlyon family and is one of those old but loved early spring gardens of Cornwall. I have been going regularly to many of the Sw gardens for more years than I care to think about but we only made our first visit on our way home some in early April this yearand  I was impressed. It is still privately owned and the owner is also a plant collector from the wild Bhutan, China etc. Rustic but interesting

[David Nicholson]

Glad you enjoyed the pictures folks, it really was a visit worth making.

Luit, sorry, no further information on the Anthemis, it wasn't labelled.

Ian, I haven't been to Tregrehane, but I will as soon as I can.

[hadacekf]

David.
Thank you for showing that beautiful garden