I spent most of last year journeying to Bournemouth and back for work purposes. During this time I only managed once to spin a garden visit into the journey much to my chagrin. One garden I wanted to visited was Mottisfont, but try as I might I could not make it work. When I decided to go to the Gardeners World Spring Fair, I decided, nay determined, that a visit to Mottisfont would happen.
The day was overcast and rain was forecast, but I was too excited to think about this. I had my plan of the grounds and I was going to have a nice wander on my way to the walled gardens where the National Collection of Old Shrub Roses is housed. It is a little early to visit the collection: June would have been a far more sensible month to visit, but I took the chance anyway to see if there were roses flowering. I was delighted to find that there were quite a few in flower.
It is not a surprise that several of the roses that are trained on the walls are flowering. They have that little bit extra warmth to encourage them.
I did not write down the name of every rose, my bank balance and the space I have in my garden cannot cope with that shopping list.
There were signs of joys to come. Several clematis are being trained up these ladders so that they join the roses. It is a classic combination: rose and clematis and it will look wonderful. I loved the ladder idea. It is not an idea I think I can utilise as I do not have walls....... but I do have a fence...... hmmm
I wandered along the paths enjoying how the planting adds good structure.
The structure means that even early in the season there are things to enjoy.
There were quite a lot of irises flowering that added colour.
I loved this arched pathway that led me to explore along it.
and I loved the corner seating places, especially as at this point it started to rain. Gently at first, not too troublesome.
I started to wend my way back towards the cafe. Rain meant it must be time for coffee.
On the plus side, rain also means that most people disappeared. There had been a lot of families enjoying the grounds when I arrived, but now it felt like I was the only one left.
This is the font, or spring, that Mottisfont is named after. Mottisfont is actually Mottisfont Abbey, though apparently it should be more accurately called Mottisfont Priory. Its origins are a medieval priory that was dissolved in the time of Henry VIII. I did not go into the house, which I now think I should have and will do next time.
The font now forms the start of a 19th century water feature that runs through the grounds down to the River Test.
Oh for the space to have such a water feature.
The rain set in for the afternoon and it was time I should be heading off. I really enjoyed my visit and I am trying to work out if I can get back again in June. It is unlikely but if I can......
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