Places to visit
Recommended places to see seasonal plants at their best*
With August coinciding with the school holidays, it is now indelibly linked with thoughts of summer. At one time, however, it was considered to be the beginning of autumn and our gardens often have an autumnal feel to them at this time of year, especially if the weather has been dry and warm for any length of time. For many years, I assumed that the slight naturalness of seedheads and diminishing numbers of flowers was what most gardens were like in August, so it came as a bit of a shock when I did venture out to discover many small cottage gardens still bursting with colour.
Now I increasingly look to see what other gardeners are using to extend the flowering period in their plots. Fuchsias are brilliant for this, and now that winters appear to be getting milder, there are many species and cultivars that can be left outdoors, albeit with an extra mulch in colder areas. Normally in August, the British Fuchsia Society (thebfs.org.uk) would hold several shows around the UK, but as shows are still likely to be off limits this year, a visit to the Fuchsia Centre at Thornton Nurseries in Leicestershire may be in order. Day trips to any specialist nursery have always been a favourite of mine, especially with a nearly empty car, and this would fit the bill. Reservoir Road, Thornton, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 1AN. Tel 01530 230331, thornton-nurseries.co.uk
In North Wales, the award-winning nursery Roualeyn Nursery also
offers a staggering array of fuchsias. It is open to visitors by appointment. Roualeyn Nursery,
Trefriw, Conwy LL27 0SX. Tel 01492 640548, roualeynfuchsias.co.uk
In my own garden, August is the peak flowering month for agapanthus. There are several National Collections around the country, including that of Dick and Lorna Fulcher in
Devon, who have long bred new agapanthus and open their garden by appointment. Pine Cottage, Fourways, Eggesford, Chulmleigh, Devon EX18 7QZ. Tel 01769 580076, plantheritage.org.uk
Much of the Fulchers’ stock was sold to nearby Bowdens Hostas to produce a duplicate collection, so combining your visit with a trip to this nursery, would give you the chance both to add to your own agapanthus collection and see how hostas will look after their freshness of early summer has passed. Bowdens Nursery, Bowden Place, Sticklepath, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2NL. Tel 01837 849367, bowdenhostas.com
Travelling further west to Cornwall, agapanthus are one of the August highlights of Trebah Garden, along with its magnificent Hydrangea Valley. Planted by Charles Fox in 1831, this subtropical woodland garden occupies a ravine that leads to a private beach, while around the house you can find many Mediterranean plants. Trebah Garden Trust. Mawnan Smith, nr Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5JZ. Tel 01326 252200, trebahgarden.co.uk
More agapanthus can be found at another Cornish garden Bonython, which has been created by Susan Nathan over the past 20 years, and also features a walled garden and an orchard of ornamental fruit trees. Cury Cross Lanes, Helston, Cornwall TR12 7BA. Tel 01326 240550, bonythonmanor.co.uk