The weather was against the Friends for the summer walk and BBQ buffet, but a hardy group of around twenty-five (25) joined John Anderson, Keeper of the Gardens, to spend over an hour walking around The Savill Garden.
Evening walk
John very much emphasised which plants were coping well with our change in climate, including the wonderful Rhododendron ‘Merle Lee’ which in The Savill Garden is a large a champion tree, but as John explained could equally be used as a small hedge or tree in a smaller garden.
The group toured the June Border which was still looking extremely good and colourful, and the Friends stopped at a tree in the Dry Garden which, John explained would stand the Garden in good stead in climate change, the Maackia Amurensis, which was covered in pale creamy flowers.
One plant which surprised many on the walk around the garden was the Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’ which was beginning to show its lovely pure white, lightly scented flowers. This plant which can be found in Spring Wood as well as the walk from the middle bridge, seems to be coping well with the change in weather patterns.
Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’
The Friends walked on past the bed outside the Jubilee Garden with its blue Agapanthus and on down to the Casson Bridge where they discover the group had two extra guests – two goslings from the second brood of Egyptian Geese who decided to follow us.
Friends followed by two goslings
Buffet
The group were joined in The Savill Garden Visitor Centre by an equal number of people for the BBQ provided by The Savill Garden Kitchen. A very successful raffle was held and several guests took home some wonderful prizes donated by The Savill Garden Gift Shop, The Savill Garden Kitchen, and members of the Friends Committee.
Despite the weather everyone had a very good time and it was indeed a very enjoyable evening and sincere thanks go to all who had made it so.
Written by Brenda Tong, Events Co-ordinator for The Friends of The Savill Garden
