Road-trip UK - Planning June-July 2026

Frank and I are planning our next trip to England in June 15-July 3, 2026. The map show our general plan to visit Cornwall, Somerset, Devon, Dorset in the southwest portion including the city of Bristol.   Then continue north to Liverpool-Leeds-Sheffield-Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire,Cheshire.   

Heat Map of my photo locations. 

Those of you interested in joining us for a portion of this road-trip, now is a good time to start planning.  We have simplified the planning by introducing a flat day rate.  This daily rate will include ground transportation, accommodations, all meals and garden admission.  This is to make it easy for everyone to join us for two days, or for five days or for the entire duration of eighteen days.  Make this a small part of your bigger journey in the UK and Europe.

For more details, use the Contact Mike form on the right-side column of my blog. 

And of course, take a look at our trips in years past:

English Gardens from 2024 

Overviews of Past Trips

Meadow at St Francis Woods Garden

Looking back at old posts of this garden, I realize I have been working here since 2016, about nine years.  But lots of work needed to prepare the site before any plants were added just two years ago.  This is the first autumn the plants have reach a good mature size.

Memphis Fling - Extra Days Off

Frank and I arrived a day before the tour began and stayed three days after.  We wanted days to explore Memphis without any itinerary.  From my window seat this is downtown Memphis and the mighty Mississippi River. 

Hell Strip Supports the Monarch Butterfly

I am so pleased to see six or so Monarch caterpillars on this Milkweed I planted years ago.   First time to witness the larva on one of my plants.  Direct action.  But apparently to some native plant enthusiasts, this is the wrong Milkweed to grow here on central coastal California.  These littles ones could have utilized the Showy Milkweed planted twenty feet away, but didn’t, they chose this one, Asclepias tuberosa.

Memphis Fling - Third Day

 Visited on Sunday June 8, 2025

Sunday Morning 7am, BB King's Blues Club is quiet.  Nobody was out on the street.  Perfect way to see a sight.  But we are here to see gardens.  Today we go out to the suburban town of Germantown.

The Asters - The Fantastic Ones Known as Symphyotrichum

What’s blooming in my gardens in August?  The asters are starting to go.  Along with the already blooming Astromeria and Agapanthus.   This trio is divine.  The Astromeria has been blooming nonstop since April, maybe March. The Agapanthus since July.

My Garden at 375

Lomelosia stellata (Scabiosa Starflower)

I saw a photo of this plant’s seedhead a few years ago and have wanted to work with it into my gardens ever since.  So I am very pleased to seed the first bloom.    

Consolida ajacis 'Earl Grey'?

 This Consolida self-sown itself in my garden on Guerrero in February.   Copiously so I know it was one I planted last year.   Which according to my seed records it would be Consolida ajacis 'Earl Grey'.   I have sown a few different Consolida over the last three years.  One is white but this one doesn't match the photos I see when I search the internet.  It's a single and the leaves are more palm-like than fern-like, dark green with a heavy waxy surface.

Gladiolus n. papilio 'Ruby'

 I planted this one a couple years ago.  Love this rich ruby coloring.  It doesn’t seem to get the rust like the larger florist gladiolus. 

Agapanthus 'Back in Black'

 I planted this clump of Agapanthus from Digging Dog Nursery in December 2022.   This is the first time to bloom and the first time I have been able to assess the color. 

Unique Biennial for the Meadow - Clary Sage

 Over the last few years I have been growing more of my plants from seeds.  Although it takes at least 24 months from sowing until a one-gallon plant,  I find it worthwhile.   But with a plant that tends to be biennial you can lower that to nine months.  Sow in the fall and flowers in July. 

Beaujolais Sweet Peas

 Here’s an annual I sowed last fall for an early start this year.  

Memphis Fling - Fourth Day

This Disco across from our hotel at 9am.

The fourth day of the Fling garden tour was more relaxed.   A whole neighborhood, Cooper-Young,  was having an open garden event and we walked from garden to garden.

Memphis Fling - Second Day

Annesdale Mansion

We toured at least 12 gardens on Saturday June 7th, the second day at the Memphis Fling.  Memphis is a small second city kind of city in the middle of the United States.  The natural beauty for this landscape dominated by the mighty Mississippi River seen by the large areas of green space, Ox Bow lakes and large trees.   Although the city has many problems, it has some enthusiastic people who love this place and take their duty seriously.

First Day of Memphis Fling 

Memphis Fling - First Day

East Memphis neighborhoods and parks including the botanical gardens, Sexton/Thornton and Dixon Gallery. 

To see the Second Day of Memphis Fling

Mimosas at the Memphis Botanic Garden