FELBRIGG WALLED GARDEN,

FELBRIGG WALLED GARDEN

Wednesday June 27th 2012

We knew that Felbrigg closed at 5pm and we were hoping that the gate to the garden would still be open. We parked the car and walked towards the house. By a stroke of good fortune I happened to be talking about the walled garden as we passed someone who was leaving. They told us the walled garden was back near the car park. At this point we started to run to be met with disappointment at the gate which was closed and said 'closed'! Not quite 5pm we begged the lady who was in attendance to let us have a few minutes in the garden. She kindly opened the gate. And so I rushed around like a crazy person taking photos of the best walled garden I have ever visited.

Of course the walled garden was far away from the house. We had already learnt that during the landskip movement nothing must impede the natural look of the countryside when viewed from the house. So the walled gardens, which had previously been much closer to the house for practical purposes, were moved well out of sight. The center piece of this walled garden is the working dovecote seen here. I believe it is the only one in Britain.

These gardens still produce all the fruit and vegetables for the restaurant at the house but they also have stunning ornamental plantings.

As we walked down the lavender lined pathway we disturbed the doves who were pecking away among the stones.

Fruit trees are espaliered along all the walls for additional warmth.

Although I like neat pathways there is nothing prettier in my eyes than plants spilling over and softening the paths. It seems every plant under the sun will grow in England the climate is so hospitable, even in their drought and poor summer.

Billowing Crambe cordifolia, so airy and light. We saw this last year in Seattle but never in Austin!

Yes, we can grow this in Austin but then they can grow it here too!!

Always the walls and archways adorned with flowering vines. A perfect combination.

I know that the owners of East Ruston talked about their sandy neutral pH soil and we had the same where I grew up. We also had these mesembryanthemums in our garden too. Incredible Thai silk, jewel-box colors. Native to South Africa they like Norfolk too.

Surely they would like to grow in Austin.

Greenhouses, once again built against the wall but this time the wall extended t give extra height.

I just don't want to leave this gorgeous place. I am giddy with all the breathtaking color, the warm stillness of the late afternoon and bees buzzing among the flowers.
But we must be on our way, find a pub for dinner and then find our B&B.

First things first. Dinner at the Crown Inn, East Rudham. Fully booked later, but this early they could fit us in at exactly the table we would have chosen to sit at.

Then on to Kenilworth Small Holding. Our accommodation was a purpose built extension to the house with its own little patio and looking out over their gardens.

We immediately went outside to explore.

A grotto in the greenhouse.

A green man on the wall.

And an Oriental inspired garden. Our hostess, who happened to have grown up in our home town, teaches Tai Chi.

Every little nook and cranny filled with plants.

In the vegetable garden the inevitable broad bean plants with their striking flowers.

A home for bees and butterflies.

Thursday June 28th 2012,

 In the morning we enjoy a Continental breakfast on the patio.

With this view.

A new day has arrived and I have quite a lot on the schedule before we end up at my cousin's house near Nottingham.