Harlow Carr

[shelagh]

In Lancashire the 'neb' of a flat cap is the peak at the front.

Shelagh

[Magnar]

- and in Norway the birds have "nebb" 

[mark smyth]

and in Denmark hardy Geraniums are Storkenaeb

[Mick McLoughlin]

Another trip to Harlow Carr at the weekend. Got to get value for money out of RHS membership Mandy bought me.
I've not posted many pictures from the rest of the gardens so a few to start with.
1 & 2 general shots in the gardens. I think they are battered Colchicums at the base of the birch tree.
3 A view of the History of Gardens exhibition from across the lake.
4 A 'monster' log pile for wildlife
5 Persicaria milletti close up
6 A trough with various Saxifrage.
Sorry about the use of flash in some of the pictures. I kept having arguments with new camera about my settings. I'll get the better of it eventually.

[Mick McLoughlin]

Shots from inside the alpine houses next. There was some information posted that they are getting a new alpine house for next year, look forward to seeing that.
1 & 2 Antirrhinum molle and close up
3 Erigeron karvinskianus
next a couple of Gentians
4 & 5 Gentiana dinarica
6 &7 Gentiana scabra
8 Narcissus 'Cedric Morris'

[Mick McLoughlin]

1 & 2 Linaria hybrid
3 Limonium cosyrense
4 Campanula garganica
5 Veronica caespitosa
6 Sedum dasyphyllum var.mesattanticum
7 & 8 Primula palinuri

[Lesley Cox]

I do like the Gentiana scabra, a nice combination of blue flowers and - presemably - autumn-coloured foliage. In NZ it is now illegal to grow Erigeron karvinskianus and illegal to offer it in nurseries/garden centres. Of course many people still do grow it, whether they want to or not. A neighbour 300 metres up wind of me in the same road has a border of it and every year I have to pull out thousands of seedlings before they get a hold. It would populate the earth if uncontrolled.

[Mick McLoughlin]

Final lot from this trip.
A comparison of Cyclamen on display.
1 Cyclamen cilicium
2 Cyclamen coum
3 Cyclamen graceum
4 Cyclamen hederifolium
and finally specially for Cliff two Ranunculus ficaria
5 Ranunculus ficaria var. auranticus
6 Ranunculus ficaria 'Tortoiseshell'

[Maggi Young]

Super to see so much colour at this time of year, isn't it? Over such a variety of plants, too. Thanks, Mick... and Mandy, of course... without whom... etc!

[annew]

But oh! That darned 'Matterhorn'! As if one wasn't enough they have to go and put it right next to the new lake so you get the reflection as well!

[Maggi Young]

I thought the kindest thing was not to mention it, Anne.  But since you have brought it up... what were they thinking of? I'm all for innovative planting opportunities but this is a step too far 

[rob krejzl]

I'm all for innovative planting opportunities but this is a step too far

A step too far back perhaps, since I thought that this was an attempt at recreating Sir Frank Crisp's rock garden from the beginning of the last century?

[annew]

It is, but they might have placed it more sympathetically (eg behind a very high hedge!).

[rob krejzl]

The original got anathematised pretty soundly too. And, though they haven't tucked it behind a hedge, at least they don't seem to have included the 7,000 tons of limestone or the Pulhamite grotto - be thankful for what you didn't get!

[Maggi Young]

anathematised

Great word, Rob, I had no idea you had American connections