Just about every part of the garden looked to have been deserted, it had an almost eerie feel to it as though it was a lost garden long forgotten about. So different from the busy, working garden of summer.
The vegetable beds contained long dead plants which haven't yet been cleared away.
The sweetcorn was still standing, though dried out and unharvested.
The chard was still alive, just, but growing in a tangle of weeds.
Grasses filled most of this border, they were blowing in the breeze, though amongst them were more dead plants.
It was hard to imagine how productive this garden was in summer, I would urge you to look at the earlier post and compare it to how it all looks in these photos, the difference is unbelievable. I was glad to see some areas which were well tended though. The greenhouse was full of healthy looking pelargoniums and you can see the beds around it which are filled with newly planted primulas. I'm sure they'll look wonderful once they're all blooming.
Like my own pelargoniums, these ones were still flowering.
I remember this seating area from my previous visit, I love the green roof.
I was sad to read this notice which was hung on the gate. Some people will steal anything these days, absolutely disgusting.
After leaving the Trial and Display Garden, we had a look at the Limestone Rock Garden. This is the main outdoor display area for Golden Acre Park's large collection of alpines. There's not much going on here either at this time of year, its season runs from mid February until the beginning of June and again, you can see it at its best in my earlier post.
The dogwoods were putting on a fabulous display though.
I don't think I'll bother visiting these gardens during the winter months again but I can thoroughly recommend them during the summer months, and of course, the park itself is absolutely wonderful the whole year round.
This is on our to visit list so I now know when not to go. Oops we haven't pulled up our dead sweet corn yet :-(
ReplyDeleteI can recommend a visit around June time, the garden is productive at that time of year and the Limestone Rock Garden is blooming too. You could take Tivvy with you, she'd love the park and she's allowed in the gardens so long as she's on a lead.
DeleteWhat a shame, Jo. We had a similar experience with a public garden near us -- total neglect which was very depressing-- and it wasn't even winter . The pelargoniums are cheery though. Merry Christmas, dear friend. P. x
ReplyDeleteThere's obviously a lot of work put in to the garden during the summer months but it would be nice to see a well kept garden in winter too. Pelargoniums seem to be flowering for ever this year, my own plants haven't stopped flowering yet either. Thank you, merry Christmas to you too.
DeleteI love to see a bare garden, it shows the back bone of the whole structure. I can't imagine nicking a plant from a garden, some people have no manners.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the nerve of some people, taking actual plants from a public garden, they have no shame.
DeleteIt looks like a great park. People stealing plants...is insane. I believe you said everyone who tended to the gardens are volunteers so maybe their busy elsewhere. Enjoy the season Jo.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fabulous park, we're so lucky to have so many lovely public places nearby. No, the gardeners aren't volunteers in this garden, I believe it will be the council parks department who are responsible for the upkeep. It's a wonderful garden to visit in summer but I shan't bother again in winter.
DeleteIt's too bad that the gardens were not at least tidied up, although I do like the look of those grasses.
ReplyDeleteI agree, a garden doesn't have to be productive the whole year round but if it was just tidied up it would look so much better. The border with the grasses is demonstrating prairie planting. It's wonderful in summer as there's so many different displays which are well worth seeing.
DeleteIt does look rather unloved at the moment, rather depressing.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It looks as though it's just been forgotten about.
DeleteWhat a disappointment. It annoys me to see unharvested vegetables like the sweet corn, and the dead plants should have cleared to add to the compost heap.
ReplyDeleteSadly plant theft is fairly commonplace. Flighty xx
It was a huge disappointment. This was one of my favourite garden visits last year so I was expecting better than this. I think the plant theft must be on a large scale as I doubt they'd bother putting up a notice if it was just one or two plants which had gone missing. Very sad indeed.
DeleteThe neglected bit looks very sad. Presumably it is like this due to the perennial problem of "staff shortage". Surely though, clearing away old plants is not hugely time-consuming? Bare earth would be better than dead plants.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it is due to staff shortage, I really don't know, but as you say, surely they could clear away the plants at the end of the season, not only does it make the garden look better in winter but they've got a head start when spring comes around.
DeleteOh Sue has taken the words out of my mouth when it comes to pulling out sweetcorn. I'm sure that mine is still lingering at the allotment. What a shame that the garden looked neglected Jo. Perhaps they cut back on working hours at this time of year? It must be so disheartening for all who put labour and love into the garden to have plants stolen :(
ReplyDeleteYou'd think that the garden would get a tidy up at the end of the season rather than just being left in this state, even if they didn't intend doing anything with it over the winter months. For one thing, it would make for an easier start come spring. I can't believe that people actually steal plants, you're right, it must be very disheartening.
DeleteI have never known that swiss chard is so though in the cold day. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWe've been having some unseasonably warm weather which I think the chard will have enjoyed. I'm not sure it would have been looking quite so healthy had we had any harsh frosts.
DeleteSuch a shame when something that was so fabulous on an earlier visit isn't when you return. The dog woods are glorious though. Have a wonderful Christmas
ReplyDeleteIt is. I'm sure the garden will be wonderful again when the new season arrives though. Thank you, sending wishes for a wonderful Christmas your way too.
DeleteLooks so beautiful and serene.
ReplyDeleteIt actually looked quite neglected and uncared for.
DeleteHow calming and beautiful. I just love the dogwoods!xxx
ReplyDeleteIt was a beautiful garden in summer, not quite so now. The dogwoods are fabulous though.
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