I wanted to visit West Green Gardens before going on holiday at the end of the week, in the hope to see the "River of Iris" in full bloom. The timing is tricky and I was running out of time. I get in free to the gardens with either National Trust, or RHS card, or half price with GW2 for 1. Having recently done a charity garden ride for Breeze where everyone needed to pay to come on the ride, I didn't feel it appropriate to do this again so soon.... but friends wouldn't mind! Would they? I asked a few of my regular riders and they all wanted to come, that were free anyway. (I had suggested they buy the May GW Mag to get a 2for1 card in the hope that we can use it a few times) I also invited all the Breeze Champions.
A few last minute changes to attendees, but 2 of the 3 who couldn't ride today drove to meet us there. Amanda T picked up Sue in Wokingham and they arrived together, parking outside the garden at my suggestion to save on the £4 parking fee. (Ridiculous when you have NT Membership, and get in free!)
The garden opens at 11am, so to leave Finchampstead at 9.30, we would arrive too early. So I extended the normal HWintney route to ride on the lovely Borough Court lane behind West Green Gardens. More lovely lanes to Winchfield. We then approached HW from the north side, arriving almost on time at 11.15.
Route link
It was strange taking NO photos on our route today, since I knew there would be plenty taken at the garden. But the lanes were looking very pretty.
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Locking up our bikes around the Apple trees.
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Sue and Amanda had managed to get 2 tables when they arrived
a few mins ahead of us.
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Louise, Kim, Sue, Rose, Sandra, Amanda, Amanda
Jill and me. |
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| The first garden...... |
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| ....with the Wisteria Arch to the next garden room |
A wander round the gardens with a few horticultural questions to answer. š
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The Moongate leading to the water rill.
Its a "there and back walk". |
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Louise had asked a gardener what this is? She thought a Lilac,
It's CERCIS CANADENSIS, (Judas Tree.)
That bench behind it it reached by walking around the edges of the garden...... |
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The bench again at the raised level. Loved all the fresh
ferns emerging today. |
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| Wild Garlic. There was a large swathe opposite too. |
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First sighting of the "River of Iris".
They are gorgeous. This patch in flower in this sunnier position.
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Many silvery Ornamental Pear Trees work
well here too. |
Back the shortest route which was up Plough Lane and across Bramshill Track to Eversley ford. Thanks all for joining me, and I hope you enjoyed or morning out.
