Road Trip 2026 - RHS Rosemoor

The gardens at Rosemoor have a great sense of experiment.  Unlike many gardens in England, there is not a character or personality attached to it.  The houses are of only a supportive role, it’s all about the plant here.   Last time we visited was in 2016 and I am eager to see how things have progressed.

Photos from our 2016 and 2012 visits. 

If you’re interested, we are now planning this trip.  Time to influence the itinerary is now.  Let’s us know you want to go.  This will not be one of those stale small-group tours.  It’s a Road-Trip.

——————————— Use the “Contact Mike” form in the sidebar to the right —————->>>>>>

RHS Bridgewater Garden - Third Visit?

 Here I am Tuesday morning looking to catch up on the gardens I explored this summer.  Next up, is RHS Bridgewater.  A new garden in the North of England around Manchester.  Always fun to go to Manchester.

RHS Harlow Carr

June 10, 2024 - I am catching up on my trip to England, 2024. Click here to see the other gardens we visitedor click here for the Overview post.

I recall being a bit disappointed with our visit.  Spring seemed late up here in the northern part of England.  I saw few things that really inspired me but that ok.  There is something in every garden waiting to be withheld.  The was a lot of infrastructure projects, a couple of new bridges and vast areas of the garden under renovation.   This little room was Looking good. 

RHS Wisley Garden

Our first stop on our 2024 Road Trip around England and Wales.  Our last visit to this garden was in 2012 and lots has changed in twelve years.  

RHS Hyde Hall Excursion 2024

My past visits to gardens, in England and elsewhere, were always curated to show the beautiful, curious or informative.    First photographs excluded people or other garden visitors.  Focused only on the plants and their vignettes.  Then It was the celebration of how many people (mostly English) were at these gardens especially the flower shows.  This past visit I filmed more in video rather than still photos.  I was trying to show how movement plays into experiencing these gardens in person.  The subtle movement of the air or a sequence to show perspective and other physical attributes.  

RHS Bridgewater

 July 28th

RHS Hyde Hall & Batsford Arboretum

 In the afternoon on the 24th we drove across England to Essex.  We are headed to the RHS Hyde Hall Garden near Chelmsford.  Our last visit here was in 2016 and I recall a few areas I liked.  The Australian and New Zealand garden, the Mediterranean garden, thw colored borders, the cottage garden and the modern country garden. 

The Mediterranean Garden

Red Border with the White Border just beyond the yew bookend

RHS Hyde Hall - East Anglia

 July 24th

RHS Hyde Hall - England

 

RHS Harlow Carr Gardens

 

RHS Rosemoor Garden

There is much to see here and we've come to a routine when we visit the larger English Gardens. We start with a stroll out into the wooded area to see the Georgian landscapes. Then through the many sub gardens as we head our way back to the more formal gardens as we close in on the house. Starting in "Nature" and progressing toward civilization in completely respectful way.

The Royal Horticulture Society's garden at Rosemoor was our first RHS experience. I took home the impression that 'it's all about the plants' garden. None of the buildings were highlighted but played a supporting role framing the garden into it's rural/sub-urban setting. Plants were labeled well. After 10 days in the English countryside, we were still on the edge of London's sphere of influence. Rural is different over there and doesn't match my California term for rural.

RHS Wisley Garden

The Royal Horticulture Society flagship garden is expansive, meticulous and popular. Below is a lovely gravel mulched perennial bed.