Puzzles

[tonyg]

Oh Giles - don't give up!  You're sure to beat us sooner or later .... and it is such fun

and besides you could have made us come up with the islands ... I have never seen any of these places but simply connected with your words.  I'd have taken a long while to get to the Isle of Wight!

[Giles]

Try this then:
4 Historic Gardens, 4 National Collections.
Garden and Collection, please?

[ranunculus]

Lovely images, Giles ...

[Maggi Young]

I haven't a clue about any of them.... but I think it's great fun and I LOVE the pictures.... some very tasty real estate featured, for sure!

[tonyg]

Now you've got me!  Four great photos though
I really don't get out much ... so there will be a lot of guesswork if I get near any of them!
The first has a huge house so if the gardens are equally momentous we could be into a tree or shrub collection.
The second has an austere look about it, somewhere bleak?
The third one reminds me of Sissinghurst but I don't think it is
The last might be a town garden .... or a city?

[Giles]

I'm not impressed boys and girls. 
Tony is definitely at the bottom of the class as one of them is in NORFOLK !!!!!!!!!

I worry about hard core alpine folk !
I might try my 'Famous Gardens of Scotland'  ....that could be most embarrassing 

[Giles]

Let's get you started then.
Tony - you must have the book:
E.A.Bowles ?  Crocus and ?

[tonyg]

I'm not impressed boys and girls. 
Tony is definitely at the bottom of the class as one of them is in NORFOLK !!!!!!!!!

I worry about hard core alpine folk !
I might try my 'Famous Gardens of Scotland'  ....that could be most embarrassing 

I did say I do not get out much ... and I meant it!  Especially Norfolk.  Long story but ill health (not mine) and now children mean that I have a lot of catching up to do .... Perhaps I should visit other gardens before I get mine in order
OK then No3, not Sissinghurst but Felbrigg Hall - Colchicum.  (And no I have not been there yet )

[Rob]

I'll guess no.1 is Upton House, Banbury, Warwickshire and holds the National Collections of Aster amellus, Aster cordifolius, and Aster ericoïdes.

Unfortunately I've never visited, but had a quick search of the net.

[Giles]

Sorry Tony, No upset intended.
I've been over excited today. Too many Daphnes at todays show!!!!
Yes - your right on that one. I worked in Kings Lynn for a while.
No. 4 is the next easiest.
David N has been there and posted pictures about it.
Anne W might know it too as it also has a fine selection of Polypodium vulgare forms.

[Giles]

I am afraid not Rob.
Upton House is nothing like as grand as that.
No 1 is in Wales.

[Rob]

Ok now you've given a few more clues I'll guess no.1 is Erddig Hall, Wrexham with the national collection of Ivies.

The one David N visited is Waterperry Gardens with the National Collection of Kabschia and Engleria Saxifrage.

Now back to check the show reports!

[Paul T]

In between the postings did someone post a gorgeous little grey leaved rock plant to find a name for or was it just my imagination....again!   Please repost as it's driving me crazy not having an answer to a puzzle!!!!

Robin,

Is that the Myosotis ID down in the ID section that you were thinking of?  Certainly a gorgeous grey leafed rock plant, that is for sure.

[tonyg]

Erddig - ivy
Sizergh Castle - four fern genera incl Dryopteris -  and those amazing chimneys
Felbrigg - Colchicum
Waterperry -Saxifraga - but David DOES get out a lot

[Giles]

Wow, some results there!
No 4 is Oxford Botanic Gardens - Euphorbias. Right city though!
Well done! All wrapped up now!
Must now have a lie down!