OldHorts Day out at Waterperry

There is no post on my garden this weekend as I have been very busy doing after things and it rained on and off on Saturday so I didn’t spend much time in the garden. You can see how lush all the rain is making the garden.

I spent today at Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire at my first OldHorts meet up.  What is OldHorts I hear you cry, or maybe mutter.  It has been set up more by chance than through any careful planning via twitter.  Back in March a conversation amongst some of the horticulturists led to a forum being set up for people who work or have an interest in horticulture.  This is not a worthy serious thing but more as an excuse to get together and in the process raise money for the two nominated horticultural charities – Perennial and Thrive.

The first meet up was back in May in London and I think just over 10 attending.  However, today we had an invite from the Head Gardener at Waterperry, Pat Havers, who have arranged to show us around.  I am told there were 36 members in attendance and a jolly bunch we were and despite the group name there were people from 20 up to 70.  Many of the members who or have worked in horticulture including gardeners and nurserymen and women, some were in training and then there was a few of us, like me, who are just plant mad and welcome any excuse for a day admiring plants.

I haven’t visited Waterperry before although I have read about it particularly in terms of its founder Miss Havergal, who set up a gardening school for girls back in 1932, a quite revolutionary thing to do.  I was expecting to see the long borders (see above) which are some 200ft long but I hadn’t really engaged with other aspects of the garden.

This was my favorite area, I think it is the Vase Garden.  I found the colours softer and I always like a curvaceous path.  There are also two long matching Colour Borders (they match in terms of color not plants), a children’s school vegetable garden, a fritillary meadow, a rose garden and much more.

After lunch we were shown around the orchards by Pat’s colleague, Chris, who explained the history of the orchards which supply the garden shop but are also used to produce fruit juice and cider.  We saw around the fruit press and also the cider making area and even got to try some juice and cider.  The day closed with a wonderful spread of cakes supplied by Pat’s team and a group photograph.

It was great to spend time with like minded people, one or two I had met before, but the majority only via twitter.  It always amazes me how easy it is to start a conversation with people you have only met virtually before especially when you have a shared interest. All in all a wonderful and jolly day out and I shall definitely be going to another event.