A peek at my week. What I’ve seen- where I’ve been

/ karen

Took Mum to Norfolk to see East Ruston Old Vicarage. A feast for the eyes. Loved this sunny wild flower meadow.


Got lots of container planting inspiration. Much scribbling down of names and taking of photos went on. Just look at the size of that brugmansia! You can see why it is called angel’s trumpets. The scent is out of this world. It’s underplanted with yellow argyranthemum, purple verbena, and lobelia. There’s even a grey-leaved melianthus squeezed in. Such an enticing entrance to an archway. 


Every second word we used had “exotic” in front of it! Loved this avenue of cannas planted with blue verbena bonariensis and orange tagetes. 

Saw two sumptuous deep red dahlias. Sadly no labels so we don’t know the names. I’m searching books though, so will post an update when I know for certain. 


I grow this tender purple-leaved Aeonium plant in the greenhouse at home. I might set it outdoors for the summer, now I’ve seen how lovely it looks. 

Also have this blue-tinged echeveria in a pot in my greenhouse. And I’ve got this Stewart Garden low planter which looks like stone, but is actually plastic. Much lighter to carry in and out of the greenhouse. 


Should NOT  have looked at the plant sales area. Fell in love with these two dahlias. Can’t wait to get home to plant them in my cut flower patch. 


Here’s a quick look at the barn we stayed in. It gets a five star rating from us. More information to follow. 


Do get in touch and let me know what you have been up to this week. It’s been sunny and hot in Norfolk and I’m expecting to arrive home to a lot of weeding and dead heading on the plot! 

26 thoughts on “A peek at my week. What I’ve seen- where I’ve been”

  3. Karen the meadow of wildflowers is very beautiful. The Brugmansia and the arch are wonderful. The Aeoniun plant of purple leaves is wonderful. Las Dalias is beautiful. All the photos are magnificent Karen. If I did not live in Spain I would love to visit with you and your Mother all the beautiful gardens you go to. Greetings from Margarita.

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    • Hopefully you will come to visit one day! Plenty of lovely gardens around here. You would be welcome. Thank you for your kind comments. Much appreciated. Greetings from Karen x

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  4. We visited this garden a few years ago when holidaying in Norfolk, it is one of the most inspirational gardens in the country. When you revisit try to make time for Bressingham Gardens, different but equally outstanding.

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    • Thank you Cathy. I’ve nurtured my dahlias in the veg plot, going out at night with a torch to collect the dreaded slugs. Now the plants have toughened up a bit, the slugs don’t seem so interested. Thank goodness. Good luck with yours. Thanks for reading x

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    • Thank you Mike. We were so lucky- we missed the rain. Poured down as soon as we got home, which was good for the plot. The calendulas are looking amazing this year aren’t they. They have long stems which is great for posies.

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  9. I am so glad you made it here, Karen. Like Chloris, I love it too – it seemed to sum up everything I would like to do in my own garden if I had the space and the money! The first time we went, which I think was also July, i cried when I saw the meadow as it was so unexpectedly breathtaking. I am sure if you emailed them they would tell you what the dahlias are – they are such a friendly and charming couple

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    • I’m plotting a return visit already! I think it will be just as colourful in September. Thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment. All the best. K

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    • I wish you could too 🙂 I’ve waited years to have the time to trek about the country with my Mum. We’ve both had health issues these last few years, and so I decided not to wait any longer. I take on less work and have less money, but I’m happier and with careful planning I can combine gardening trips with my mum and daughters. Luckily husband goes sailing with his family a lot, so I don’t have to try to combine gardens, shopping (daughters) – and sailing all at once! Thanks for yr kind comments. If you ever come to leicestershire, I’ll gladly show you the best gardens here. I know all the best places :)) x

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  14. The unlabelled dahlias look like my D. Bishop’s Children which I grew from a packet of Sarah Raven seed. I planted out five on my plot and gave lots away. I wish my echeverias would flower. They keep having babies which I detach and pot on for friends which is maybe where I’m going wrong. Your new dahlias look scrumptious. I visited Great Dixter on the 11 July, that is before the rain came, and the dahlias were to die for.

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    • Mum has some seed grown dahlias and they are gorgeous. So cheap to grow too. Some have come up from last year. Thanks for reading and for getting in touch. I haven’t been to Dixter yet. On my list…..amongst many others 🙂 x

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