Last Saturday we had the most amazing afternoon visiting a garden in Devon, or actually one garden was in Devon and the other, next door, was in Somerset! I found it in the Yellow Book for the National Garden Scheme. Not only was it two gardens, but there were sculptures and originally there was a railway line with the station buildings, that have now been converted into houses, somebody was a happy bunny and I don’t mean just me!
Entrance to Venn Cross gardens.
As soon as we stepped into the garden, we could tell that we were in for a good afternoon, the planting looked wonderful.
Koi pond.
The path led up some steps, through a hedge to a Koi pond,
Koi pond.
well protected with wires to keep the heron away. Some of them were huge, especially the grey one in the middle, although it was so big, I don’t think a heron would manage to swallow it.
Wild flower meadow.
The path then lead to a wild flower meadow where I spied a sculpture.
Rusty deer sculpture.
From a distance it was so lifelike, but close to we saw that the different pieces were gardening tools, there is a pair of shears at the top of its thigh, and the ears were rusty trowels. Other bits and pieces came from farm tools etc and rusty chains were used – very effective.
Ragged Robin.
As well as the buttercups and clover in the meadow, were lots of clumps of Ragged Robin…
Orchid.
….and lots and lots of orchids.
Candelabra primulas.
All of a sudden in a dip by the boundary of the garden, there was a sight to set my little heart a-flutter, masses and masses of candelabra primulas!
Candelabra Primulas.
Candelabra primulas.
Candelabra primulas.
I thought I had lots of primulas, but mine are pathetic compared to these, there were yards and yards of them, hundreds, in every colour you could think of.
Candelabra primulas.
I don’t have many yellow ones, must rectify that!
Meadow.
The yellow of the buttercups matches the colour of the railway distance signal.
Disused railway line.
The only view out of the garden showed the where the railway line used to run.
Distance signal.
A closer view of the distance signal. This shows the fish tail end which indicates to the engine driver that he has to be prepared to slow down.
More candelabra primulas.
We came upon a second pond and isn’t it colourful, it’s wonderful!
Candelabra primulas.
This makes me want to plant primulas round my pond, the reflections would be wonderful. I’ll have to clear a few plants out first.
Sunny planting.
Candelabra primulas.
This is the view from round at the back of the pond, the Ligularia in the foreground right contrasts beautifully with the primulas.
Boxing Hares.
More gardening shears, horseshoes, springs, chains and spanners forming two boxing hares.
Fox, hens and chickens.
Up a different path, we found a very realistic fox stalking hens and chickens. I liked this group a lot.
Hen.
Hen made from a coal shovel, horse shoes and rakes.
Chickens.
The chicks were made from cog wheels with keys for wings. I feel an urge to visit a reclamation yard!
Third pond.
We found a third pond with…….yes, you’ve guessed, more primulas!
Third pond.
Looking back the other way with a life belt and upturned boat adding extra colour.
Edge of woodland planting.
We are now nearing the end of the first garden, which has been so colourful all the way round.
Goods yard.
This was where we had a talk with the owner and he told us that we were standing where the old Goods Yard used to be. There was only about 4 inches of soil, all of which they brought in so that they could plant.
Steam!
This is where steam trains used to come, I was going to say – thundering through – but they didn’t, they had to stop.
Dolly.
A Dolly is used for access to minor lines, such as a siding. The dolly works just like a signal and would give access when the yellow line is at an angle of 45 degrees.
Tools for removing rails.
The rails that have to be changed are picked up with the tools shown on either side of the tiny bit of railway line, apparently they are called Rail Handling Lifting Clamps. I’m a fast learner, I’ve learnt such a lot this afternoon!
The Engine Shed
The Engine Shed has been converted into a beautiful house, I know someone who would love to live here, a pity it wasn’t for sale when we were looking 25 yrs ago!
Looking into the distance.
I thought the undergardener was looking at the photo of the steam train, or maybe he was visualising the engine in the station. But no, he had spied the table and chairs with people enjoying their tea and cake! We are now leaving the first garden which stops where the gravel ends and entering the second.
Carrot cake.
I almost forgot to photograph my gorgeous Carrot Cake, so moist with super cheesy icing, delicious!
Chocolate cake.
Someone else had the chocolate cake. Garden visiting wouldn’t be the same without tea and cake!
Old photos.
There were old photographs of the station which we were able to look at while having our tea. Where we were sitting was where the platform would have been and where the lines used to be, had been raised to the same level.
More!
The planting in the second garden was different from the first, but they too had a very small pond with candelabra primulas -are we overdosing on primulas?
Hostas.
A nice shady bed with hostas, and no holes in them!
Help needed!
I’m not sure what this plant is, but think it is very pretty. Does anyone know please?
I have since heard from Nicole that this is a polemonium, I hadn’t noticed the P.foliage at the time, but it is there on the photo!
Waiting for colour.
I think that this area will be very colourful in just a few weeks time, I’m thinking there are lots of Hemerocallis in there.
Hosta Sum and Substance.
Since having our tea, we have been walking along what was the old railway line, so all the soil has had to be brought in. This hosta Sum and Substance was huge but much paler than mine which is in shade.
Tunnel.
This is the end of the line as far as we were concerned, the ground suddenly sloped down to the tunnel which is now the roost for some bats so no-one is allowed in. Yes, that is a Gunnera that has been planted at the tunnel entrance, I wonder how big it will grow.
Old Railway Station.
We are now on our way back to the first garden entrance. Up the slope is the old Railway Station, passengers had to buy their tickets at the top and then run down the slope to catch the trains.
Poppies.
We have now been all round the two gardens, I think the undergardener must think that this is the best garden that he has ever visited! I thoroughly enjoyed everything that we saw, even the railway artifacts! I was amazed at the number of primulas that we saw, I must plant more! The sculptures were inspiring, I will look at rusty old tools in a different light from now on! There was just one more stop before we left, can you guess?
I couldn’t resist!
This is what I came home with, well I said I needed more yellow in my candelabra primulas didn’t I? They were just labelled as yellow primulas and the lovely Heuchera was just labelled heuchera!
Candelabra primulas.
The primulas have been added to the bog garden, swelling the numbers in the yellow/orange section, must save seed and make some more.
Heuchera.
The lovely red heuchera with the ruffled leaves is now in the Sunset border, with a blue hosta and Hakonechloa all gold.
I must sow a lot more of my primula seed so that my border looks full like the borders at Venn Cross garden, and also round the pond, it really was an inspirational garden.
That looks a fabulous garden, or gardens. I really must have another go at the primulas, next year when we get as far as the ‘bog garden’. Love the rusty sculptures too. Wonder if I could convince Mike to make some?
It was a super afternoon Jessica. I have found primulas easy from fresh seed sown when still green and sticky, as per Carol Kleins instructions. The sculptures were amazing, just rusty bits of “junk”, I’m not sure how they were all kept together, whether they were welded or even stuck with super glue! It could be fun trying to create something!
really truly amazing garden … the ponds, the flowers, the sculptures, this garden is the rolls royce of gardens. thanks for this post, Pauline.
All the different areas and artifacts Catmint, meant that the whole of the two gardens was a wonderful experience for both of us. Glad you enjoyed it.
I was wondering if there would be a plant stall…. ! Your enthusiasm for the candelabra primulas is infectious! I do love the yellow ones especially. It looks a lovely place to visit, and I enjoyed the tour. 🙂
Plant stall and cakes, they’re what makes a good garden visit Cathy! Yes,I do like the candelabra primulas, there are so many different colours and shades that come from sowing seed. It was a super visit, I’m surprised we hadn’t heard of it before now, so glad you enjoyed the tour round.
Such lovely gardens! I’m with you 100% on the candelabra primulas. I love them and their mix of tutti-frutti colours. The old railway garden would have been very challenging to establish – I know over here that (until relatively recently) the ballast under the tracks was soaked in a herbicide that lasted in the ground for years and years. Hats off to them for turning it into such an amazing place!
Yes Matt, the candelabra primulas were the highlight of the garden for me, seeing them en masse like that was wonderful! I would imagine that making both gardens was very hard work, having to bring in tons of rubble and then top soil to build up the levels, maybe they used the ballast for that.They have certainly made a very unusual couple of gardens.
Those rusty sculptures were very clever, quite lifelike at first glance. Nigel would have loved visiting this, he adores anything to do with trains. Thanks for sharing it.
I also have a husband Alison, who loves anything to do with trains or anything that runs on rails! It isn’t often that we can combine our interests, this garden certainly was a one off! I’d love to have a go at making a sculpture from rusty old tools, they were so realistic from a distance.
Glad you found some yellow primulas. Couldn’t possibly go home without them. Also that is a nice colored heuchera. This is certainly a fascinating garden. I had fun visiting through your pictures and descriptions.
Yes Susie, I was so pleased to find them on the plant stall, the only two there! The gardens were certainly different with lots for the men to enjoy who weren’t interested in gardening!
What wonderful gardens. It looks stunning with all the colourful primulas. I think candelabra primulas needs moist soil, which I sadly don´t have. But you have the perfect spot for them. I like all the rusty animals, what imagination the artist must have. The cake looks yummy.
The primulas really were stunning Gitte, they made me determined to sow more seed for the bog garden and to put round the pond. Round the pond I should get reflections so will have double the effect! The rusty sculptures were so unusual, someone is very clever!
Absolutely delightful, Pauline – what a find! Is it just open on certain days or over a longer period like some NGS gardens are? Definitely worth fitting a SW visit round this one, especially as, like the Undergardener, the Golfer would approve. Astounding primulas – no wonder you were in your element!
And I meant to say that the metal sculptures we have put together here have been drilled and bolted, but those ones have probably been welded. They are SO good, especially the fox and chickens, aren’t they?
I was certainly lucky finding it Cathy, it isn’t often that I can find a garden for both of us!The garden is open also on 18/19 July and 12/13 September.If you put Venn Cross Railway Garden into your search engine it should come up as a page on the National Garden Scheme website. I was blown away by the sheer number of primulas, I must sow a lot more and get them round the pond here. I had a feeling that the sculptures would be welded, the chickens were so simple but so very effective and the fox was definitely stalking them!
What a great visit you must have had, your enthusiasm really shines through and the pictures show why! The gardeners must really be proud of the transformation which they’ve accomplished, from such a worn out and abused industrial site to such a welcoming, lively and colorful landscape.
I’m also glad the under gardener had such a nice opportunity to enjoy himself as well!
Frank
I think I liked the garden so much Frank, was because it was the same sort of planting that I have at home here. I agree that both lots of gardeners must have done an enormous amount of work to produce the gardens that they now have. It isn’t often that I can find a garden that the undergardener will like as much as I do…… but I think I hit the jackpot this time!
Hi Pauline, What a wonderful tour…..thank you for taking us with you! I am in love with the sculptures. Anything reclaimed or repurposed is my kind of thing! The picture of the pond with Ligularias and primulas is my favorite. There’s something special about English gardens…..so lush and the colors are amazing!
Who could resist cake!
happy Gardening!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Sally. The sculptures were amazing, it just shows what you can do with a bit of imagination!
I think we have such lush planting because of all our rain and the colours are stronger because they aren’t faded by really hot sun!
What a fabulous visit that must have been for both of you Pauline. The garden and the railway must both be a real labour of love. I’m puzzled by your mystery plant. Did you take any close-ups of it? I hope that your new candelabra primulas are soon self-seeding with reckless abandon.
It was amazing Anna, something for both of us for a change! Sorry, I didn’t take a photo of the mystery plant, I still can’t decide what it is. Hopefully my primulas will one day look that those in the garden!
What an amazing, unusual railway garden, I absolutely loved it! The planting is gorgeous but the sculptours blew me away, I shall be scouring the garage for old rusty tools tomorrow! A lovely post!xxx
It was unusual wasn’t it Dina, it made a change for a garden to be interesting for the undergardener! I do like a bit of sculpture in a garden, especially when it is well done like in this one. Somebody certainly has an eye for turning rusty old tools into something very artistic.
Jacobs ladder is mystery plant
Thank you so much Nicole, I had been wondering. I must go back to my photo and look again, I can’t remember seeing Polemonium foliage!
What a great use of this old railroad stop! So many beautiful spaces and those candelabra primulas are spectacular! I’m so glad you brought more home as it seems that one can never have too many.
It was a super garden for both of us Peter, I was so glad there was something of interest for the undergardener! I don’t think anyone can have too many candelabra primulas, I know I’ll be sowing lots more seed each year!