The Rookery: One of London's Secrets (Part 2)

I left you in Part 1 looking at these wonderful subtle bedding plants, so lets have a look around this area before moving on.

How beautiful is this, and what a setting.

A look into the middle.

Some more!

Now to the bottom of the water garden. Unfortunately the water was not flowing properly, so they have a bit of a problem with duckweed or Lemna minor. Here is a lovely Gunnera manicata often wrongly called giant rhubarb. This Brazillian plant has massive leaves and flowers. To the right is Bergenia cordifolia and the bottom of the Gunnera.

As we climb up there are some stunning sights to see, the water normally runs between all the plants as it tumbles down.

You really cannot have a water garden without Japanese maples.

More Gunnera.

A Gunnera leaf and some Cardoon, that looks like it has escaped from one of the Herbaceous Borders.

A rather green pond and one of the little streams that run down. There are a lot of these little streams and places for the water to flow down as you will see.

I love these! The way the water runs between the pathways, what a treat to see, as it trickles down to the next stream or pond.

This is the top of the stream that goes into the pond. Then as you look up on the right, you may think the water comes down the steps, but it actually comes from the channels in the pathways above.

Does this litle bit of water come from nowhere, don't be deceived it is clever. On the right, this is beautiful!

Looking back through the trees at some of the pathways. If you look closely in the left hand picture, you can see the channels in the pathways where some of the water flows through. On the left looking through a Japanese Maple down to the water Garden.

Teasel in the water Garden, it looks like the bees and the birds have had fun with these.

More Japanese maples and on the right some Rhododendrons.

A Hosta on the left and one massive Gunnera.

A false Castor Oil Plant or Fatsia japonica by the water. Some more of the ponds.

A wonderful quiet place with a Buddleia davidii and a nice seat. As you come around the corner from this restful area another channel through the pathway.

A Cherry then a Japanese maple and finally a purple Beech, what a sight! looking back on the water Garden.

It gets better in here with sights like this. Then it was back down to these long Rose Pergolas, although you can get out at the top.

I wanted to go through here and find out what was there, I did not expect a Squirrel!

Here was the quite amazing sight of a very old English oak. Then as you get out into the open, the bottom of that huge blue Cedar!

Looking down the Garden from the right side and then back up to the seats. On the left, if the picture is enlarged the real size of that blue Cedar can be seen.

This is in the wildlife area at the top of the Garden on the left as you come in, most people go straight on down the path to the seats overlooking the Garden!

Some nice Holly on the left. They leave the logs as they are, particularly good for wildlife.

I did wonder what this huge and beautiful cat was doing in the wildlife area?

I adore wonderful enticing entrances like this, or a peaceful seated area.

They had an Artists sale outside the gates, and on the right is the Cafe. They have an Ice Cream parlour, hot & cold food and coffee etc., plus restrooms.

I leave you with this Agapanthus as I was pleased to see them here in flower.

 I do hope you have enjoyed your tour of the other bit of this beautiful place. I love coming here as there is always more to see and find as you wander around. Thank you for being with me on my trip down memory lane.

Links.

 Part 1.

The Rookery.

Map.

Regards.

Neil.

 For Nancy.