On Saturday 18th August we visited two gardens and a nursery near Norwich. The temperatures soared and the weathermen said it was hotter than in Hawaii. Nevertheless the heat added to the ambience of the two gardens and exotic nursery.

Urban Jungle Nursery, Old Costessey,NR8 5BG
If you have never visited this nursery it should be on your wish list. They specialise in architectural and exotic plants, unusual evergreens and conservatory plants. They even have a composting toilet!

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Crete Lodge, Old Costessey, NR8 5BG
Having left our cars at Urban Jungle Nursery the majority of us walked to this garden, a little further than we had been led to expect. However, on reaching the garden after an uphill assent up a track we were greeted by the owners and served with refreshments straight away, which was most appreciated. Suitably refreshed we explored this garden in the Ringland Hills. Meandering paths led us through an oasis of tropical and exotic plants with water features, pond and scree beds.

(Click pic for slide show)

Manor Farm,Coston, nr Wymondham,NR9 4DT
This is a lovely country garden of three acres with formal and informal planting within a series of spaces, including a walled garden, white garden, grass garden and late summer garden with ponds and many interesting plants.

(Click pic for slide show)

all photographs by Linda Hall

Full reports on these visits will appear in our next newsletter.