Waxwing

Waxwing
"To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour."

From "Auguries of Innocence"

by William Blake

Wednesday 25 July 2012

A Summery Afternoon at Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens



I popped along to Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens this afternoon - lovely to see the sun for a change but it was rather hot and humid! The Gardens are looking beautiful and full of summer colour.

My Lady's Border







Two of the Yucca's are flowering (with the Melon Ground in the background)





Melon Ground





The Green House built around 1729





Flowers and Borders















View from the North-west Pier



The North Orchard







Honeysuckle was scrambling over walls everywhere











Quinces are forming on trees in the "Secret Garden"



The South Kitchen Garden















The Summer House





Parterre



I was thinking how early rowan berries are forming this year when I realised this tree not only had berries but was also flowering again!



According to folklore if the rowan flowers twice there will be an excellent potato crop and many autumn weddings! In mythology the rowan is considered a magical tree which protects again malevolent creatures.



There are some wonderful folk names for the Rowan/Mountain Ash such as "Delight of the Eye", "Quickbeam", "Round Tree", "Surb Apple", "Thor's Helper", "Whispering Tree", "Witch Wood", "Witchen Wittern" and "Roden-Quicken-Rowan".

Unfortunately I didn't have time to visit the Extra Gardens so it was time to leave after admiring the hanging baskets near the Visitor's Centre





and thinking what a nice corner this was for a cup of tea and cake!!



Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens are a unique example of an English Baroque Garden and are being restored as closely as possible to the period 1680 - 1762.

For more information including opening times please visit their website at
www.cbhgt.org.uk



Reference: Wikipedia

9 comments:

Rohrerbot said...

I would be like you....sun....outdoors ASAP! The plants won't need any watering....and with the sun, they'll probably all start throwing their blooms for everyone to enjoy. I like that pine cone pink flower in the middle of the post. It's rather unusual.

I hope to have hanging baskets here within the next year. We've just finished a project on posts that will allow me to add some color around our gardens. I especially love the space for some coffee and memories with family and friends.

Hopefully you have more sunshine. All my best. Chris

Ragged Robin said...

Rohrerbot - I'm trying to make the best of the sun before it disappears again! The pink flower is rather unusual - I'm not sure of the species though.

I like hanging baskets you can get so much colour and so many plants in such a small space:)

Enjoy the rest of the week!

Anonymous said...

A delightful post, thank you. Those gardens must take a lot of work to maintain.

Gardens-In-The-Sand said...

I had to google "rowan berries". Rowan wood is often mentioned in mythology and fantasy, but I never knew what it was...

Interesting that yall still have poppies blooming... Mine bloomed in April!

Ragged Robin said...

Toffeeapple - Many thanks :) The Gardens only have a few full/part-time gardeners I think and rely in the main on volunteers who do a brilliant job!

Gardens-in-the-Sand - Rowan seems quite a fascinating tree!

We've had a few poppies flowering in our own garden for about a month - I think perhaps it depends on the species and probably climate! Interesting how timing varies around the world.

ShySongbird said...

It does look Summery there now, colourful and beautiful. I can absolutely see why you would visit regularly. The rain has made it all look very luxurious.

The hanging baskets look wonderful. This is the first year I can remember not having any :-( I just didn't get round to it with all the bad weather and to be honest rather a feeling of despondency. Last year illness meant the garden was neglected and somehow I just haven't got back into the spirit of it this year. The neighbours must think someone else is living here, I used to be always pottering about in it! Which brings me to the answer to your question, no I'm afraid I haven't done anything yet about a mini meadow but am considering it for next year. Mind you the way it's going it might all be a meadow by next year ;-)

Ragged Robin said...

ShySongbird - The Gardens are a lovely place to ramble around - and so quiet, tranquil and peaceful. Also there is something quite nice about visiting one place regularly and seeing how it changes through the season. Much as I like National Trust properties they are always so busy!

Sorry to hear about your lack of hanging baskets. I must admit we haven't done any for a few years - Brian lost interest and my attempts were not very good :-( I still plant up pots for the patio but must admit I have to force myself sometimes to do them especially this year with the awful weather and the problems with my mother. I do hope you feel a lot better now Jan. As you say there is always next year - had to laugh at your comment about it all becoming a meadow :-)

Rohrerbot said...

I thought of you again today on my hike. You're making me smarter on moths. There were a ton of them and all very interesting....and everywhere! I sat searching for that hummer today and of course, I didn't find it but I did meet a moth aficionado and professional who is tenting moths at night in the canyons. He taught me so much today.....I took some more shots of moths with you in mind. I found a Tiger moth which was really interesting and discovered some interesting ways to attract them.....orange soda and rotting bananas. Fascinating stuff. Thanks for opening the doors on this interesting group of insects.

Ragged Robin said...

Rohrerbot - Hi Chris - sorry about lack of hummer sighting but so excited to hear about your moths:-) So glad you are finding them interesting - but be warned an interest in moths becomes very addictive :). So glad you met up with an expert - its the best way to learn. I first got interested in moths when we used to take the children (when they were little) to Moth and Bat Nights at Nature Reserves. The orange soda and rotting bananas "trick" sounds interesting. Thanks so much for taking some photos - I can't wait to see them. I bet they are a lot more colourful than the ones I catch! So glad if I'm played a small part in getting you interested in them :). Have a brilliant weekend and I hope you eventually track down your hummer!!