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A special visit...

This is the weekend of the biggest gardening show ever to grace Scotland,
it is being called 'Scotland's Chelsea' - and I can't go :-(.  Life just
isn't fair sometimes!

       On Friday, we were down in the area of the show (taking son for a
job interview) so I did get to see the 7 (that's seven) mile traffic jam
that people got snarled up in trying to get to the show - hey, who wants to
sit in a car for hours just to go to see some plants?  (me...I would put up
with anything for a show that size...)

        My husband, though, showed some sympathy this time, and had
arranged for me to visit a small nursery specialising in Abultions near to
where we had to go.  It was really special - up a private road and set in
acres of typical British estate land - huge trees, cows and deer grazing
under them, and a beautiful river flowing near by.  The lady who runs this
nursery lives in the Country House, and was so welcoming, even came back
from the big Show especially to meet us.  Her collection is housed in just
3 tiny greenhouses, and is immaculate;  she doesn't usually get visitors
and was so pleased we had called (most of her sales are mail order) - we
were offered cold drinks and my husband and son were invited to explore
while I looked and talked.

        We were there for over an hour, the choice of plants was excellent
and I had a hard time knowing when to stop!  I came away with 10 Abultions
(at about US$1 each) all in flower, plus a Fremontadendron which she GAVE
me and a promise to send me a couple more plants when the cuttings had
taken (also for free).  It is really good to know that small nurseries like
this can still survive in these days of garden centre chains and money
grabbing so called specialists - I suppose this lady probably only does
this as a hobby, but she is a serious plantswoman and very knowlegable and
enthusiastic about her plants.  I had a wonderful time, which (nearly) made
up for not being able to go to the show!  I certainly saved money, which
leaves me more to spend when my catalogues come from other places!!

        If anyone is interested in the name of this nursery, let me know,
I would be pleased to pass it on - don't know if she exports though.

        BTW, Susanne, did you get my mail about Fish Emulsion?

Good Gardening to you all,
Liz Bradbury in a sunny and warm Scotland.
PS.  My son got the job...
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