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A weekend in Shropshire - 3rd to 5th July 2010

Written by Super User. Posted in Events Past

 Our group left early on Saturday heading for Shropshire and the Welsh borders, staying in a hotel in Ironbridge for a couple of nights.  Our first stop on Saturday was to Coton Manor and its ten acre garden in the peaceful Northamptonshire countryside.  The garden encloses a series of smaller gardens to provide interest and variety throughout. 

Coton Manoreryngium-bourgatti-at-Coton-Manoranother-border-at-Coton-Manor 

flamingos-at-Coton-Manorerigeron-and-eryngium-giganteum-at-Coton-Manorpart-of-the-wild-flower-meadow-at-Coton-Manor

pinks-and-blues-border-at-Coton-Manorroses-at-Coton-Manorroses-penstemons-and-salvias-at-Coton-Manor

 In the afternoon we visited Hillview Hardy Plants Nursery, near Bridgnorth .  We were greeted by the owner Ingrid who gave a history of the nursery prior to members being let loose!  They hold the National Collection of Acanthus.  Some members collected plants which had been ordered in advance of our visit - a wise move.  We arrived at our hotel later for dinner, with time after our meal to explore Ironbridge. 

 On Sunday we had a treat when we visited David Austin Roses for a guided tour and tea/coffee and croissants.  The two acre gardens, divided into smaller areas each with its own theme, are designed to provide inspiration to rose lovers and are home to the National Collection of English Roses.

David Austin rosesDarcy-Bussellrose_Gentle_Hermione 

 In the afternoon we visited Wollerton Old Hall in Market Drayton.  Designed by Lesley Jenkins, this outstanding garden has achieved the highest rating in the "Good Garden Guide".  Strong design and clever planting combinations ensures that there is plenty to see.

Wollerton Old HallWollerton-Old-Hall-2Wollerton-Old-Hall-4

caraven-at-Wollerton-Old-Hallclever-border-planting-at-Wollerton-Old-Hallclipped-box-domes-at-Wollerton-Old-Hall

lovely-mixture-of-white-roses-and-nepeta-at-Wollerton-Old-Hallthalictrum-in-one-of-the-borders-at-Wollerton-Old-Halltropaeolum-speciosum-in-yew-hedge-at-Wollerton-Old-Hall

          The following pictures were taken by Colin Pusey


Wollerton-Old-Hall-green-pathWollerton-Old-Hall-long-borderWollerton-Old-Hall-roses-and-nepeta

Wollerton-Old-Hall-shady-borderWollerton-Old-Hall.-rosesWollerton-Old-Hall.green-pathway

Wollerton-Old-Hall.jlong-border-pgWollerton-Old-Hall   Wollerton-Old-Hall.long-border

 Monday morning saw us crossing the border into Wales to visit Dingle Nursery and garden near Welshpool.  The stunning four acre garden makes imaginative use of the dramatic deep valley and small lakes and can be seen via a network of connecting paths and steps incorporating unexpected and wonderful views.

Dingle-Nursery-1Dingle-Nursery-2Dingle-Nursery-3 

 Our last stop of the weekend was a visit to Kelmarsh Hall gardens.  The gardens are largely inspired by Nancy Lancaster who enlisted the help of garden designer Norah Lindsay.  The landscape architect Geoffrey Jellicoe laid out a formal terrace and horse chestnut avenues leading down to the lake.

Kelmarsh-Hall-an-18th-century-house-designed-by-James-Gibbscutting-bed-in-walled-garden-at-Kelmarsh-Hallrose-garden-at-Kelmarsh-Hall

view-of-long-border-at-Kelmarsh-Hallbut-still-much-to-restore-in-the-walled-garden-at-Kelmarsh-HallKelmarsh-Hall-looking-over-the-park

Kelmarsh-Hall-1 thumb_Kelmarsh-Hall-2Kelmarsh-Hall-rose-garden

Telfords-bridge-at-Ironbridgepower-station-down-stream-at-Ironbridgeupstrem-side-of-Ironbridge

 Fuller reports of the weekend will appear in our Autumn newsletter.

photographs by Linda Hall and John Metcalf

Linda Hall