Firstly, the Oak Grove, a shady area of quercus planting and woodland paths. A welcome respite from the strong sun on the day we visited.
Some familiar plants were blooming beneath the tree canopy here, emerging from the leaf litter - crocus and white squill.
The potager – a french-style vegetable and flower garden – is under redevelopment and so many of the beds were empty but the shape and flow of the beds and paths really inspired me. And I loved the central gazebo and box topiary at the corners of the beds.
Raised beds around a decked seating area were filled with spring bedding plants in full flower, all straining their heads to the sun.
The beautifully ornate entrance to the Birds and Bees Walk - a section dedicated to flowering and fruiting plants that provide food for our feathered and winged friends.
A range of apricot trees in and around the Scripture Garden were in full blossom and contrasted wonderfully with the azure blue sky.
And on the way out, we headed one floor up above the Offshoots Cafe to see the Green Roof Garden. Developed as a visitor garden as well as an ongoing research garden, this will be studied to determine the effects of the various weather conditions of the area (hot dry summer, cold dry winter, intense radiation and parching winds).
