Gardens and Pretty Places we have visited

Not a garden as such but this morning we visited the South West Orchid Society Show. As usual some superb plants and many are SO big the growers must have HUGE areas to grow them in. Some lovely scents and the different colours and structures of the flowers were amazing. A really friendly group and the £3 admission also included a cup of tea/coffee. Not bad.
Having said before we left home "we are not going to buy any orchids".....yes we did. 2 paphiopedilum species. They will need repotting and could be some years before we see the flowers. Decided to join the society after having been in the Somerset Orchid Society some decades ago before it folded and the SWOS grew.
Question....as many orchids take some years before they flower, how is it that the majority of orchid growers are in the "mature" stage? We started growing orchids in our 30s and we were at least 30 years younger than other members in the SOS.

 

Ness Botanic Gardens, Wirral, today, lots of Rhododendrons and Spring colour.

 

It looks beautiful.

 

Daffodils at Emmetts NT in Kent

 

Capel Manor today, I am there regularly but often forget to take pictures.

 

Not exactly pretty at this time of year, but really atmospheric. The ancient Gopa woodland is a five minute walk from our home and, although we didn't quite make it to the top this time, it's a good workout for the legs too.

 

Not an actual garden visit but a visit to our garden club spring show. Not a competition but asking people to bring spring to the village hall. Entry was £2 which included tea and cake. Also some things for sale.
The cut flowers included of course daffodils and so many varieties and many with a glorious scent. Potted plants included orchids (some from us) and again some lovely scents. Different collections of alpines in very interesting containers.
We managed to sell 4 pots of Haemanthus albiflos, 2 decorative pots, collection of tea towels and a Ted Baker glass case. All the monies went into the coffers of our garden club.
It was lovely to meet up with friends and neighbours in such a bright environment on a beautiful morning.