Kapunda Plants - A morning Visit

 We have an enthusiastic bunch in our WI gardening group, and have been enjoying some excellent garden visits, often with a good lunch stop at a local hostelry.  Maggie and Carolyn come up trumps on all accounts: venue, weather and restaurant.

Here  we are at the end for our group photo.  You can  tell how happy we were.  You'll get another at the end without me just to confirm all those in the group.

We were cordially welcomed by Juliet Davis and her husband, who served us some refreshment as the group gradually came together.  Car shares had been organised of course.  

In the front of the castellated early twentieth century house, the fountain and well clipped hedging adds a formal air to the front garden, with vertical yews giving an Italianate feeling , but with its extensive lawns very English at the same time.  The property is surrounded by mature trees forming the much needed wind break.

Kapunda Garden fountain

Juliet gave us a little background to how and why her love of gardening expanded into breeding new Hellebores, all kicking off from a couple of Hellebores which were gifts.  We walked along a 'woodland' walk  through the developing fringe of additional shrub and small trees and spring flowers which offered differing views of the garden.

We arrived at the long border of Hellebores growing under the dappled shade

A clever design of enclosed gardens with solid but not too high yew hedges offered the perfect backdrop to the long border of even more Hellebores.

All the way round Juliet was very attentive answering all sorts questions regarding the cultivation of Hellebores and several of the other admired plants such as this pretty Pulmonaria Blue Ensign

The selection of plants to selected for Juliet's crosses was evident in the glass house where coloured knitting wool was used as a code for blooms which would in the end yield seed ready for sowing as soon as they were ripe in the summer.

We picked up tips on the sowing of the seed, the pricking out and potting on of the plants as we admired the neat production areas.

As I love yellow, this one has to be my favourite Hellebore, but sadly there were non available this year.

Several plants were selected by some of the members, but having had several charity open days and groups already, there were but a few remaining plants available.

We bade farewell and made our way to The Hope and Anchor where a delicious lunch and good company was enjoyed.

Maggie couldn't quite eat her large seafood platter, and I can say that the whitebait, and squid were delicious!  One of these is ample for two sharing!  The drive back across the Mendips in this glorious weather was an extra bonus, and this time I must say that you to Sue for excellent driving.