The last remnants

Here in London we still haven't yet had any frosts, but I know that this wont last for long! It is always when I see the Dahlia Imperialis and Tetrapanax trying to flower that I know the end is near as they are always frosted.

Overall this has been a weird year and during October and November some Dahlias have started flowering for the first time and some gingers are also having another bash. The 100 acidanthera that I put in to flower during the opening (but didn't) have also now all started flowering

This weekend I am trying to start moving things in, but I wanted to share a few pictures before it stars getting packed up

Me with my one dinner plate Dahlia to flower!

The 2018 NGS Garden Opening: things at their best

A huge thank you to everyone who came to this years garden opening. We were blessed with amazing weather which brought out the crowds and in total we had 255 visitors and made over £2200 for charity! 

The biggest thanks must go to the 14 people who volunteered to help make it happen: Wendy, Laurence, John, Marten, Sue and the kitchen crew, Sam on plants, Derek on honey and Jennifer on the Prosecco pavilion and the Grimsby door security. Everyone was marvellous. As was anyone who made a cake (we had about 25 in total) and who spread the word. Also a massive thanks to Alan who donated a huge amount of succulents, bananas and cannas which got a good few people very excited!

So some pictures of things at their best...

This (above) was the one plant the people asked about! Salvia involucrata 'Bethellii'  which was looking stunning....below is the normal Salvia involucrate. I love Bethelli as it has those big buds which are really architectural. However, it is harder to get through the winter...I'm not sure if this is the slugs or snails! so I take lots of cuttings about now...         

Garden open Sunday 2nd September 2-5:30pm

The National Gardens Scheme says

‘An exotic garden full of the exuberance of late summer inspired by travel in Southeast Asia. A lush and naturalistic jungle of big leafed plants, bold colours and shapes including cannas, bananas, Bamboos, dahlias and towering paulownias.

Huge ‘hidden’ garden, created from being able to buy the bottom half of two of the neighbour’s gardens gives the garden an unexpected size. Overall there are two ponds (one for wildlife and one with fish), bee hives (honey hopefully for sale!), a productive area and contemporary sunken terrace full of prized plants.

The lower lawn has lots of seating and hidden corners give space to sit and enjoy the tea and cake for which the garden is renowned

Wandering the garden we hope you will be surprised by unusual plants, and lost in the exotica.

Featured on BBC Gardeners World, BBC the Instant Gardener and the Independent magazine. Garden News Garden of the week (2018)

https://www.ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden/garden/22791/

We are located in Camberwell on the Chadwick Road end of Grove Park with plenty of street parking.  Dont be confused by my road that has a bit loop and odd numbering! look for the bridget....We are a 10-15 min walk from Denmark Hill or Peckham Rye Stations Map here

Some pictures to tempt you in....