A short Holiday to 'The Peak District and Beyond'

 At the end of July we set out on John Martin's coach holiday to The Peak District & Beyond'.  It is quite a long drive and we have got used to settling down on the coach and getting out our books and phones, and just gazing out of the window, whilst this time Martin, in whose safe hands we were, takes the strain of the motorway driving.

The first picture I took through the coach window was this one: having been used to absolutely no clouds, a few miles north, even though the fields tell the story, it was the clouds that stood out.  I do love good clouds! The farmer cut his field early to get some sort of crop in.

We had two stops on the way up, one being at our favourite Motorway stop at the Gloucestershire Services which has the farm shop.  There we stretched our legs and on our walk and found that although their wild flower area was beyond parched, there were still the wonderful seed heads of the wild carrot.

We stayed at The Cotton Hotel & Spa, which although under Manchester flight path, was excellent.  We only had time on the last day to enjoy their various facilities such as swimming pool, outside jacuzzi, hot room and sauna. Other days, all we felt like was a rest after our outings before dinner.

The first full day saw us being dropped in Bakewell for a few hours.  We partook of the authentic Bakewell pudding. We sat in the little riverside park close to the arched stone bridge.  It was far too sweet for our taste!

Stone Bridge at Bakewell

It was market day, with far too many people for our liking, but we did enjoy exploring and sitting outside The Chakra lounge' with good views and great drinks. Fortunately for me, we managed to get some emergency tablets from the Pharmacist: lesson double check packing of pills, yes they were all prepared but somehow failed to be packed, but also take those prescription receipts which would have made it so much quicker. 

The next visit that day was to Chatsworth House.  I had been there a couple of times, but it was the first visit for Mr S. Again it was a very hot day, with only a few puffy clouds in the sky by the afternoon. They do have some wonderful sculptures and bronzes such as these dogs in the entrance courtyard. Each dog is beautifully sculptured and cast in bronze, all having absolutely correct doggy stances. 

 Nicola Hicks dogs, titled ‘Rocket 6-1, 1987

Further along in the in the Sculpture gallery were two whippets in bronze. I wanted to share this picture with Mandy and she noted that this was so similar to how her Rupert washes Teddy every night. 

The interior rooms were splendid:

It was the smaller things that often drew my attention such as this collection of Crassula ovata 'Gollum' on a fancy marble side table where they had a piece of glass to protect their table. They must move plants to and from their various glasshouses, as I don't think the light there would be sufficient to have them permanently there. 

Here is a similar display with this very  same Crassula ovata 'Gollum' in my very ordinary home!

I suppose one's eye is taken in by familiar things wherever one goes. In the same vein, a few of their fossil, mineral and stone collections as well as  their Blue John Tazza and Urns caught my eye.

Chatsworth House Blue John Tazza and Vases

Chatsworth House- Stone table and fossil and mineral collection

The grounds are extensive and it would be easy to go for some of the spectacular areas such as the large Emperor Fountain in the Canal Pond, but having read about Paxton's first Great Conservatory completed in 1840, I wanted very much  to go and view its foundations. It was quite breathtaking in size and walking around the perimeter gave a sense of its inner dimension, where now there are no remains of the glass, but the area is well planted.  Of course Paxton through his expertise gained here was able to design and build the famous Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of of 1851.

To get there we walked through the Rock Garden, which was breathtaking.  The gritstone all mined from the nearby Dobb Edge quarry. The blocks of Gritstone were artfully assembled, and just imagine how it much have taken feats of engineering, and hours of labourt to position the largest rock called The Wellington Rock. 

The Wellington Rock

Tom Stuart-Smith helped in the most recent refurbishment and can be read as an extract of Garden Illustrated to which I subscribe. 

We heard a great snippet from one of the room guides about how Mr Paxton would go off plant hunting or some such thing with the Duke, and Mrs Paxton being left to 'manage' the building and development of the gardens.  I found something about this on the internet .  Just as I read about Mr & Mrs Disraeli after visiting Hughenden Manor, I am intrigued and will have some good hours reading more about this from Alan Titchmarsh's Chatsworth: The gardens and the people who made them.

Day two saw the first part of the day spent on a Canal Cruise on board the 'Kittywake' along part of the Leeds Liverpool Canal from Wigan Pier. We had a guide giving us a commentary which we found less than interesting, as the speaker was more fond of telling us about her life with covid and her long covid.  I think we may be a bit harsh as everyone else seemed to be entertained.  We then went on to visit RHS Bridgewater.

Wigan Pier and redevelopment of warehouses

It was hot and dry at RHS Bridgewater, and I am sad to say I left it with mixed feelings.  I had such high expectations, maybe it will improve.  Firstly the welcome centre, cafe and gift shop seem to have been the focus rather than the plants and the gardens.  Also when I asked about collecting seeds for members, they knew nothing about this. It used to be that the RHS published seed lists for choice but this year we were to collect prechosen packets from the customer welcome desks.

There were a few interesting plantings, but it could have done with more plant labels.  

I couldn't tell what variety of lilies these were, and found the Community Garden less than inspiring. I suppose it is there as a 'workshop' so we shall pass this by.

Further on Sunflower Lemon Cutie made a great impact.  It was growing in a raised bed, I have since read up about this and it is a new form.

Sunflower Lemon Cutie

I was disappointed that most of the trial beds were just empty flat area of soil, except for those with Heleniums in.  I walked around looking at the forms, height and flowers and thought this Helenium 'Waltraut' was my favourite, though it looks as if it will need some serious staking.

Helenium 'Waltraut'

The dry garden area had some notable planting which I shall try to concentrate on next year in my garden.  Planted through the little yellow flower is Scabiosa columbaria subs. ochroleuca which I recognise having once grown it.  How lucky for me that there were some flattened stems growing over the path.  I have saved some of the seed to grow! Growing nearby too was the Vitex agnus-castus which would grow quite well, and which I have long admired. 

Dry Garden RHS Bridgewater

We walked through to view the Yangzhou - Scholar's garden but that was fenced off with builders on site, and they will certainly have a hard job getting finished in time for the September official opening. Not much there at present would entice me to return, except perhaps in a couple of years or so to see the Scholar's Garden developed and planted.  

Day  Three We had meant to visit first Buxton and then Arley Hall Gardens, but the Gardens were wisely postponed to the following day.

The Ballroom

The first section of our time at Buxton was taken up by a tour of The Buxton Crescent Experience.  Another one for which we had mixed feelings.  We would have prefered to go round at our own pace, rather than with a guide.

  

Derbyshire fossil limestone fireplaces

Everything was well explained on posters, but far too long was spent in each room with our guide, and although we were all meant to finish more or less at the same time, we finished much later.  Maybe it was just our particular guide! Then we were free and how could we not enjoy that after our earlier experience! 

After that we went out and there was a vintage car auction and enjoyed looking around.

Car Auction Buxton

After a walk through the Conservatory, we sat down in No 6 The Square cafe and enjoyed a lunch of filled oatcake. 

We arrived back at the hotel with time to enjoy the spa facilities, and enjoyed our time there before getting ready for dinner.

With it being their own business, Martin was able to reschedule our visit to Arley Hall Gardens for the morning when it was cooler. What a gem! 

Arley Hall Gardens

The Fish Garden at the right hand bottom had a relaxing peel about it, and the planting of Angel's Fishing Rod plants added a sense of humour. Later when we were walking the long border we came across the Viscountess in conversation with a gardener.  Of course we moved on, but having seen a fine plant in the border going to seed, I returned and asked him if I may have some.  He asked me if I had anything to use to hold the seed, and finally we decided that the folded up map of the gardens would do.  He snipped off some stems for me.  All the while we were talking plants and it was let slip that when herbaceous plants that had proved themselves and needed dividing, they went over to be divided and sold in their Plant Nursery.  I think the plant was Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain' but didn't ask, so if the plant come up, it will be then that I will be able to identify it.

We hadn't noticed those as the coach was able to drive right up to the entrance of the Hall along the pleached lime avenue. 

I would have liked longer in the gardens and the nursery but we had a coach to catch.  Again there interesting conversations and exchanges were to be had.  I admired their Pelargonium collection and complimented them.  It was interesting to hear that the new peat less composts were not working at all with regards to the Pelargoniums, and I would have liked to have spent more time learning about what they used.  As well as the seeds given to me, I have two other souvenirs: plants of course Viola 'Heartthrob and Helenium 'Short and Sassy', which stands strong without the need of staking! 

Our journey back was uneventful, and my friend Maggie had seen to the watering in our absence.  Overall a lovely break.

 

Six on Saturday - 8 August 2026

We had a few days 'up north' on a coaching holiday, visiting places here and there with a few gardens as well.  Some people bring back souvenirs, or as Mr S overheard someone say of the gift shops: 'food or landfill'. I can't resist plants at least if they don't survive it would be 'compost' rather than landfill, except for the pots which I reuse or recycle. One of the fabulous gardens we visited was that of Arley Hall.  I came back with a couple of plants. 

1. From Arley Hall nursery this Helenium 'Short and Sassy' was such a souvenir.  I felt that as it did not need staking, and would give me some late summer into autumn colour, it would be just right for the garden.  It is still in its pot but already being enjoyed by visiting bees. 

Helenium 'Short and Sassy'

At RHS Bridgewater which we visited earlier in the week, they had a trial of Heleniums, and my favourite there was Helenium Waltraut, but that needed staking even though it wasn't that tall.

2. The second plant, which I completely fell for, is this Viola: it was love at first sight!

Viola Heartthrob

This morning when I moved it to the shady wall, I could see a lovely shimmer of light reflected off the surface of the leaves. 

3. Another favourite of bees is the Alstromeria 'Indian Summer'.

4. In my search for new compost I visited the closest nursery, which is a small one, and looked over some of their small pots of plants: I had been thinking of growing Stachys 'Silver Carpet' for some time as the Wool Carder Bee would use the hairs to line its nest.  I might be even lucky to see and hear the Shrill Carder Bee, which I understand is around in Somerset.

Stachys 'Silver Carpet' 

The reason I made a spurt to plant out new plants, is that today I am to visit The Taunton Flower Show.  It is the first time for me, and as I shall be walking up to town on my own to catch the coach, not too much can be bought!

5. All around the area where I planted the Stachys are other plants which are a real draw for the bees such as this delightful pink Origanum 'Bristol Cross'. 

Origanum Bristol Cross with bee

6. Many insects visit the Eryngium Silver Ghost which self seed themselves and I was delighted that the Jersey Tiger Moth managed to shoulder the bees out of its way.

Jersey Tiger Moth on Eryngium 'Silver Ghost'

As usual I am joining with other blogging gardeners over at Jim's to share six things from our garden.  For several weeks now I have been starting the post with parched moanings: it is still bone dry, and apart from having a few slight spots over an hour or so, the the thunder, lightning or rain predicted simply by passed us.  There were some lovely clouds and a short break of constant blue skies and piercing sun. Even a little light covering of cirrus clouds and a few contrails help to temper the effects of the sun. 

Flowers at the start of August - In a Vase on Monday

Today is another very hot day, and we haven't had rain for weeks and weeks.  The range of flowers is minimal as plants dry to a crips, but I have been watering a few, and others seem to have been quite resilient.  I am joining with Cathy who came to start this weekly Monday get together on her blog, a fair number of years ago.

This week's arrangement is in the Caithness vase and by its side is the little crystal watering can which I have used many times before.  It signifies that watering is needed to keep the flowers alive. The little trio of seed head rounds are from seeds I purloined during my holiday from a plant with very red stems which I believe are from Lunaria annua 'Chedglow'.  

I wanted to feature the Amni majus, which I have grown for the first time. I have been watching the Amni at every stage loving it from its green frothy foliage stage right up to flowering. It came to me as small plants sent over from Ben, Maggie's son: both are keen gardeners.

The cosmos were a mixed bag of seed, and there are several forms including this sea shell form.  

The achillea Lilac Beauty is somewhat bleached, but still goes nicely with the other colours.  The regular IAVOM gang know that I like seed heads, and looking rather elegant are the seed heads of Betonica officinalis 'Alba', and Teucrium hiranicum. In the background but not easily seen is a leaf from  Japanese aralia 'Tsumugi-shibori' or Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'

When I went to take back a couple of library books I came across 'Hortobiography' by Carol Klein. I was a little ambivalent about Carol Klein, and having read her book, mainly during our holiday away last week, I am now off the fence and will be looking out for other books, and perhaps searching for some of the TV programs she presented. I wouldn't have bought the book, but as it was one I could borrow from our local library, I am pleased to have read it. I also took some notes.  We are so lucky to still have free to borrow libraries, unless you reserve a book from a different library, for which there is a small fee.

 There is much about her life here, and interesting from a socio historic point of view. 

A small Somerset Garden - Six on Saturday - 25 July 2026

Each Saturday we have a little get together over at Jim's and share (perhaps) six things about our gardens.  At the start of the week I was despondent in the face of the heat and drought which continues here in Somerset. However, looking round the garden, since I have found six things, why should I be?  Are we going to give in?  We need perhaps to change the way we garden, or the plants we have, for is it not about being outside, tending to our gardens, even if we have to do so in the cooler parts of the day, and if necessary keeping the thoughts of the next seasons' potential in mind?

Six things from the garden this week: 

1. Currently one of my favourtie Origanums in flower is the delightful little Origanum 'Buckland'. Since last year when I last mentioned this Origanum it has made good progress in the gravel garden. 

Origanum Buckland

This was one of the plants I was concerned about when we had all that rain earlier in the year.  And now the 'drought' has a  hold, I am delighted to find that certainly in this well drained area, it is one of the plants that has proved itself.  Currently I can't find any available on lists, so I am going to try to propagate it just so that I can make sure of its continuity in the garden.

It has soft velvety textured leaves and from the bracts the small tubular flowers attract numerous small bees and very small wasps even in this hot dry spell.

 

Origanum  'Buckland' close up

2. When my friend Maggie moved into her new home, there was a tall white phlox which drew the admiration of several of her gardening friends.  When she was remodelling the planting, several of us were lucky to get a portion.  This year it grew taller than last year, but it too has proved itself quite resilient to the dry weather.  It hasn't wilted yet and is quite erect, so another keeper and indeed it will be split to offer a couple of plants for next year.  The Hummingbird Hawkmoth has been visiting each morning pausing and uncurling its long tongue to sup from individual little flowers.

3. Over a month since I last showed Origanum 'Emma Stanley', her bracts continue to elongate and form a colourful point in the gravel garden. 

Origanum 'Emma Stanley'

Back in 2021 I wrote an article about the Origanums in the garden for the Somerset Federation of Gardening Clubs, but that did not include Origanum 'Buckland'.  Since then I lost Origanum 'Kent Beauty' and a couple of ones not mentioned in that article.  Since Origanums have been such a success this year, I shall be on the look out for more to add to the collection.

4. Last week I showed the poor dried out Astilbe and in the course of a few days I was feeling that the empty spot had to be filled, so the Pelargonium 'Salmon Angel' was released from its pot for a stay of a few months. 

 

Pelargonium 'Salmon Angel' in the pot

Again these flowers, and what a great number, are attractive the insects. Originally bought from the lovely Derry Watkins of Special Plants, it is easy to take cuttings, or I should say the cuttings take easily, so many will be taken to overwinter, as I think I shall have to consider moving over to these more dry and hot weather tolerant plants, for spot planting.

5. I had to visit Asda in Taunton a few weeks back, to collect my new glasses, and they happened to have a few multipack plants.  I succumbed and clumps of the blue Ageratums and some mixed phlox.  Some went into the garden and some in pots.  A little bit of colour for sure.  I used to consider Ageratums something old people grew, what a prejudice about plants!!  Maybe that is very true, now I am .... I am enjoying them. Another prejudice I have had is about 'ultra processed plants', but in moderation I am allowing myself a little treat!

Mixed planting

6.  Over to the otherside of the garden the Bay tree is heading for the skies again, with the Clematis viticella 'Purpurea Plena Elegans' climbing though its foliage.

Earlier in the week, I had been wondering whether I ought to select more purely foliage plants to weather the summer, but this week, just looking at the large number of varied butterflies, moths, bees etc coming to the flowers, what I shall be thinking of is actually making sure there is the greatest number of dry and heat tolerant plants that have numerous flowers.  I might not necessary go out of my way to buy them, but make sure to select the right plants already in the garden, increase them and place them to where some of the other annuals have surprisingly given in such as the nasturtiums.  That is not to say I shall try again with the nasturtiums as I just love their bright cheerful colours, and they are so easy from seed, easily saved each year.
 

In the garden mid July 2026 - Six on Saturday

 Another week of sun, heat and no rain and with the temperatures remain high even overnight, the garden is certainly showing signs of stress.  However we are still gardeners and trying to enjoy the open space which is our privilege to garden.  To read a little more on gardens and other gardeners head over to 'Jim's Garden Ruminations' where we congregate each week to share these weekly 'garden cuttings'.

1. Some of the roses are having a second flush, with the sun and heat they are not lasting, but it is lovely still to enjoy them.  Munstead wood is trying very hard:

Rose Munstead Wood second flush

Early one morning just as the sun was rising I went out to deadhead the Munstead Wood rose before it shed its many petals, and what did I see but this green insect.  The light here is different to the picture above as it was not long after 5 a.m. when I went out. I didn't get a good enough look to see whether it is a cricket or a grasshopper. I posted this on the Entomology group on Facebook and it has been suggested that it is Leptophyes punctatissima (f) Speckled Bush Cricket.

Whilst deadheading I was collecting the petals which I shall dry and add to a bowl for the house.

2. It is even worth taking pictures as within days the plants start to flounder. The combination of Helianthemum Golden Queen this time with the Lemon Thyme behind it has been one of my favourite deck chair views. 

This coming week I shall be snipping back all the spent flower stems on the Helianthemum, which tend to fall parallel to the ground with the newer growth on top.  This Helianthemum is just marvellous. I try to leave the flowers on for all long as possible as we have so many different bees, moths, butterflies etc in dire need of a little respite too.

3. Also in the gravel garden is this delicate little yellow Allium flavum. I originally planted a little pot in 2021, but this gradually dwindled, and these two flowers are from a little group of self sown ones. As this little allium with its blue grey leaves are perfect in this spot, I shall be sure to allow the seedheads to mature fully, then prepare a little area not far away to receive the seed, then just cover with a thin layer of finer stones, and let nature take its course.

Allium flavum

4. I've not watered the front garden at all, and it is looking decidedly 'Mediterranean' but not as bad as my friend's garden in Spain, where even her garden cacti are in very poor shape.  Amazingly this Kniphofia name 'unknown' is doing remarkably well.  We have heavy clay here and it seems to be doing well despite that, and when I plant I do try to incorporate a little grit.  The mother clump is yet to flower, but I have just read that they need dividing every three years or so, so when this has finished and we have some rain, making the soil workable, I shall be dividing the older clump and probably this one too, relocating a few around the garden. I'll cut a flower or two with some leaves, put them in a jar, and place that around the garden to see what they will go next to well, then put in a cane to remind me where to plant the divisions.

Kniphofia

5. I mentioned Pelargonium 'New Century White' only a month ago, mainly to show its cuttings.  This is the original plug plant from last year.  Repotted and trimmed it has at least fifteen flower spikes open!

Pelargonium 'New Century White'

6. Whilst we are with white flowers, I continue to be intrigued by the different flower forms coming up on the Cosmos.

White Cosmos

Sometimes not growing a pure strain of seed brings more interest and variety for a small garden. another good plus for Cosmos is that the slugs and snails leave them alone.

For my six I have tried to keep positive but the picture below of Astilbe Chinensis Pumila taken from my post in 2014

shows that the conditions in my new garden and with the hotter drier summers, it is a plant that will not thrive, having been reduced to this dry mass not flowering each summer for the last three years. An example of wrong plant, wrong place, wrong climate!