The gardener goes on holiday – and meets temptation
The Digger and I have been away for a week. We stayed in a lovely little house we rented in Dartmouth. The town lies on a river estuary, just before the river meets the sea. The house is the yellow one in the top row.
Dartmouth house
There were superb views from the terrace outside.
View inland
Kingswear village opposite
The estuary meets the sea
I like going on holiday but sometimes it is safer for a gardener to travel by aeroplane, or on foot, or by train. It is a mistake for a gardener to travel by car when the trip involves looking at gardens. Look at all the unused space on the back seat, begging to be used.
Despite heroic restraint I bought some new plants. Amazing really. I thought wearing dark glasses might make the plants for sale look dull and uninteresting . Don’t try it – it doesn’t work.
The group of plants below looks deceptively small but there are 17 altogether. Mind you 2 of them are Alliums on sale at half price, rescued from (almost) certain death. Perhaps I shouldn’t count them or the Geranium madarense which will go in a pot. That makes 14 now. Only 14.
17 new plants
So I wandered around the garden looking for some planting space.
This is the largest piece of bare soil. See that bit at the back. Hmmmm…..this is going to be tricky!
Free space for planting
I’ll post later about the gardens we visited, if I don’t drive myself crazy trying to find homes for these plants.
12 comments
ROFL – this will keep me smiling for ages.
Hope you find some more bare patches of earth in your garden for your 17, opps sorry I mean 14 new plants.
Is that a painted fern I see amongst them?
What a lovely place you went to for your holidays.
K
Well, 17 I mean 14 count maybe more like 4 of 5 since they seem like they might be on the small side. And rescuing plants from certain death is a service, not a purchase, in my view. I do that, buy plants and then wander around for ages looking for somewhere for them to live. There’s always room for a few more! Dartmouth looks heavenly, it’s fun to see where you stayed. Queen of the hill!
Such a gorgeous view — the houses look like gingerbread!
Anytime you can see dirt – that’s a space. I think you better go back and get some more. Dartmouth looks like a fairy land – so unbelievably pretty.
Been there, done that, got the plants to prove it!
Love your holiday house, very pretty and what agreat view.
BTW Once we had to make 2 return trips as I’d bought so many plants they wouldn’t all fit into the car, so you haven’t done all that badly. This time.
Don’t think I have ever been to Dartmouth, but it looks absolutely beautiful. The veiws are stunning.
As for the plants, well you can’t go away and not bring any back can you. You have to spend your money on something don’t you. I am sure you will find a place to squah them into.
Did all 14 fit into the largest piece of bare soil? LOL! But I’m sure certain ‘adjustments’ can be made!!
Dartmouth looks so beautiful…what a idyllic setting for a holiday! All the best to your new babies!
I lost my Geranium madrense this winter but it has survived the previous two also they get very wide and the branch/stems are quite rigid so allow plenty of space. Mine never got big enough to flower which was a pity.
I’m going to Snowdonia in September and planning to visit Crug Farm so i am already allocating space in the car for my purchases but I have no idea where they will go on my return.
What a great view to wake up to everyday. It looks as if you have come home with some lovely plants despite those good intentions – just who were you kidding ? A word to the wise – don’t ever go on holiday in a campervan
Good luck finding some free space for the new haul, looks like you got some good stuff. I’m always accidentally bringing home new plants, too. I always think I have more free space than I actually do while I’m busy plant shopping.
The holiday looks wonderful. Hope you find space for the souvenirs, and enjoy the courgettes!
You’ve got LOADS of room for plants there. 17? Never mind that- get some more!
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