NGS Yellow Book 2012

I received my advance copy of the National Garden Schemes Yellow Book for 2012, with a lovely note, thanking me for my photography contribution to the book. I was so busy last year, that I only got around to visiting two gardens open for the NGS and I am very delighted to say, that they used two photographs from the gardens I visited, Knitson in the Purbecks in Dorset and Tanglefoot near Winchester. Two absolutely beautiful gardens and well worth visiting this year. 2012 marks the 85th anniversary of the founding of the National Garden Scheme and last year they donated £2.6 million, to the caring charities they support; Macmilian Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and Crossroads Care. I am very proud to support this very worthy cause by donating my garden photography, plus the absolute pleasure I get from visiting these garden, that I urge you to buy the book and get out and about visiting NGS gardens this year and visit these slices of heaven behind garden gates.                                                    Knitson Old Farmhouse, Corfe Castle, Wareham                                                                                                                 Tanglefoot Crawley,  Nr Winchester

Plant of the Week - Daphne

This week I have chosen the Daphne as my plant of the week, photographed on my visit to Harold Hilliers Arboretum in Hampshire.
It is said that Daphne is not the easiest plant to grow but I have grown it before and it was perfectly happy in semi-shade. I planted it by the front door, so when you entered the house, in the dark dismal days of February, you were hit with its sweet scent.
Daphnes don't like being moved, so if you are not sure if it will be happy where you want to plant it, put it in a pot.

                                                                         Daphne

I love the way the buds start out like little cerise hooves and open up to trumpets of white, tinged with pink.
If I had entered this photograph into a competition, it would have been marked down as one of the leaves is imperfect - well you tell me who is in perfect condition this time of year!

Plant of the week - Hamamelis

This week it's the turn of the Witch hazel with it's fabulous unusual flowers with the most evocative scent.

Harold Hilliers Arboretum in Hampshire, has them in shades of yellow and russet and I loved getting up close and personal with them, it was worth getting cold toes for.

Plant of the week - Cornus (Dogwood)

Luckily down here in Dorset we escaped the snow but it was still jolly cold. On Sunday we wrapped up warm and headed across the border to Hampshire, to the Harold Hillier Arboretum.

I have exhausted my garden of winter photo opportunities, so it was time to visit a garden, planted especially for winter colour and scent.

My plant this week is the Cornus. Harold Hillier have planted lots of varieties, with different coloured stems. This red variety is particularly vibrant and just lit up the garden like a beacon. It just makes you feel warm looking at it.

                                                                             Cornus