Six on Saturday: jungle garden

So this week is coming later than normal and will be a short one as Alice has tested positive with Covid. She has a bit of a snotty nose, but she said her sense of smell was funny so we got her tested. She came out negative on the lateral flow test before testing positive from the PCR so worth getting a proper test to avoid infecting others. We’ve also had an Ofsted inspection at work this week so been a pretty exhausting week all round with another one ahead looking after a bored child stuck at home.

This week saw the arrival of the garden jungle by Phillip Oostenbrink. I’d seen one of his lectures a few months back as well as following him through Twitter so had this on preorder. It looks to be a great addition to the garden literature around tropical/exotic gardening.

So to celebrate the release a quick look at six of the exotic plants in the garden still pulling their weight. The Bishop’s Children dahlias is still flowering well. It was grown from seed and has been in the ground 3 years now without lifting. Top corner we Podophyllum versipelle ‘spotty dotty’. This is an attractive foliage plant with nice broad leaves. It was a recommendation from Philip and a very good one. Below we have buckler fern, one of my favourites. Looks great in a pot for much of the year with little maintenance needed. In the bottom right corner Persicaria runcinata ‘purple fantasy’. This was a purchase from Stillingfleet Lodge a few months back. It’s in a pot currently. But as it grows I’ll divide it for use elsewhere. Bottom middle is Farfugium japonicum ‘wavy gravy’. It doesn’t photograph well but this has lovely curly foliage and is filling a shaded spot in the front garden. And last but by no means least are my Fatsias. I have both the plain and spider web type next to each other in pots. They sit near the front door and look good much of the year providing nice large palmate foliage.

Much shorter than normal this week. But hopefully, return to normal next week. Hope you are all keeping well and I may get some chance to catch up on other people’s blogs other the next week.

Oldroyd’s corner

Today I have been off buying plants for work. I made a start on the woodland border earlier in the week but the local garden centres selection of plants was a bit useless so I went a bit further afield. One of the garden centres I visited was Woodmansey Garden Centre. Hidden at the back of the garden centre is an absolute gem, Oldroyd’s corner. It was founded by Jon and Paul after many years in horticulture. The greenhouse had been used to grow salad crops and cut flowers. Originally there had been many more greenhouses but these were converted to a business park. This last greenhouse covers an acre and homes the garden under glass. They created a place people can meet in and enjoy and connect. It can be booked for occasions, but most of the time it is just open to the public for free. Beverley men in sheds are working out of one corner so there is often a quiet hum of machinery in the corner but still an amazing place.

The garden begins with a little woodland border. Nice, but doesn’t give you the hint of what is contained inside.

This opens up onto a stunning border. There are a few weeds dotted about, some noticeable thistles at the front but considering this is kept going by volunteers, many elderly, it is remarkable. There isn’t a garden around this year that doesn’t contain weeds with Covid restrictions. Even Harlow Carr with an army of paid staff and volunteers had weeds.

With the garden being under glass there are some stunning exotics.

But the standout plants are the bananas. Growing under glass all year these have reached great heights and look in great health.

Another border. You can just make out the giant spade hidden in the plants. Patches of salvias are spilling out at the edge.

The view from further around. Salvia Amistad filling up the front and then the larger foliage making the centre point.

Absolutely stunning leaves.

The centre has a very well maintained lawn for events. I’m not a fan of lawns. Wasted planting space but they could give lessons on lawns to many much more visited gardens.

A statue reminiscent of the lost gardens.

Along one end is a more Mediterranean in border with roses and lavender.

The roses still flowering well.

The lavender was bringing in a few insects into the glasshouse.

There are sections that aren’t as well looked after and there are weeds dotted around. Some of the plants are in the wrong place with some very crispy hostas. But considering this is free and run by volunteers it is astounding. Many professional gardens charging entry fees haven’t held up as well the last year under Covid.

While it may not be worth travelling across country for as it is only small it is definitely worth a visit if you live in East Yorkshire around Hull and Beverley. I don’t think my photos have done justice to some of the plants. It’s a credit to the volunteers. The garden centre you go through to get in does have a cafe if you fancy stopping for food. Hope you’ve enjoyed my whistlestop tour.

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