Derry Watkins: nursery, garden and friend in England's west country

Derry Watkins

Colleagues and friends are always suggesting I have them along on my trips as porters or perhaps even packed in the bag. I must confess that sometimes I almost envy myself when I spend time with the likes of Derry Watkins! Derry--together with some other special gardeners in Kent--organized a lecture tour for me last April in Britain which has been glowing in my mind and heart all year. Now especially in the depths of Colorado winter, the  days spent with Derry, and wonderful spots near Bath we visited, warm the winter days with their memory.

Derry's nursery and garden are open to the public--do click on Special Plants Website to see what the hours are--and you can even sample some of the plants you'll see in this posting sold at her nursery and also mail order as seed from her seed company.

https://www.specialplants.net/

Coronilla glauca 'Citrina'

The pictures you see here were taken over a period of several days in mid April when we visited and toured the West country. Derry's is a wonderful year around garden, however, with extraordinary design (she was helped in that department by her husband who is an eminent Architect). Their home is as gorgeous as the garden--lovingly restored outside and thoroughly modern inside!

Rhodiola rosea

Smyrnium perfoliatum

Peltoboykinia watanabe

Corydalis sp. ign.

Caltha palustris var alba

We'll get a closer look at the Clianthus shortly...

I'd heard there was a blue Lathyrus vernus, but this was the first time I'd seen it!

Paris quadrifolia

Oh, to have a spread of THIS in my garden!

Even veggies tucked in here and there!

An iconic view: come to think of it, there are iconic views all over this wonderful garden!

Like this one out our guest room window. (I am a lucky guy!)

I went nuts at the nursery: mostly because I couldn't buy everything and bring it back. I daresay two thirds of what Derry sells is not in the U.S. market! Harrumph!

Wish I could take this Coronilla back!

Entryway to their home..very welcoming and gorgeous!

I'm a sucker for unfurling croziers...

Several pieces of garden art were simply stunning.

Clianthus puniceus

Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'

Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'

There always seems to be a smile on Derry's lips, and the garden is full of humorous touches...

I'm also a sucker for lichen!

The pond is covered with wonderful waterplants

Including one of my favorites, Aponogeton distachyos--from South Africa. Which I must remember to try in my pond!

Many visitors don't realize the extent of the garden--there are naturalistic sections that gradually blend with the surrounding countryside.

Aesculus hippocastanum

Tuckekd along the side of the house is one of the largest horse chestnuts I've ever seen: it was just budding up to bloom--the place is full of surprising delights for those who look!

I am such a nursery junkie: I can't resist stopping at random nurseries when I travel (I always find something I can't live without)--and being in a rare plant nursery like this is HEAVEN!

One last look at the outrageous Tulip pots...

Thank you Derry, for a fantastic visit: I felt so utterly at home! I felt as though we've known one another from a past life! And I can't wait to lure you hither before too long so you can see that America does have some horticulture worth noting, although I agree our political scene is perhaps the most depressing I've experienced in my life time: I am confident we'll change that soon!