A Plantsmans's Garden
Many years ago when we moved to the village I had been inspired by pictures of 'tropical like' gardens people had created here in the UK. Why grow ordinary plants when you can grow something dramatic was my thought process. So twenty plus years later there are various bamboos, Tree ferns, Tibetan Palms and Cordylines which have all battled against the elements with varying degrees of success.
A heated green house helped to maintain the collections of large and small Agave Americana's, a modest group of Aeonium's along with some Alocasia's and Colocasia's with their huge leaves. Along with various other unusual plants, it is the collection of standard Brugmansia's which the garden is best known for by people who visit. These frost tender sub-shrubs exist in large pots of up to 100 litres and by the end of the summer can grow over 3 metres high and produce great swathes of scented flowers of varying colours. The downside is they need watering daily and feeding once or twice a week.
Eventually, with other tender plants, the greenhouse filled to the brim in the winter months. So a couple of years ago I also started growing Hosta's as they need winter cold, not heat. There are now over 150 named varieties of Miniatures through to Giants which provide interest before the summer garden bursts into flower with the Lillies and Brugmansia's from July onwards.
I hope you enjoy some of the examples of plants that have been chosen for this year's Open Gardens.
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East Bridgford Open Gardens
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