Discovering stunning plants at Holker Hall

January 19, 2022

I discovered these plants for the first time last June when we were in the Lake District, and then again more recently when I was finally sorting through and editing my photos. With no firm plans on what to post here, and also wanting to finally post the outcomes of a delayed pre-pandemic post, I decided to share them today.

Holker Hall is an independent garden in Cark, Grange-over-Sands which was close to the cottage where we stayed in Cartmel, and just around the corner from Sizergh which we also visited.

Part of the beauty about these plants, is that for most I don’t know what they are - that doesn’t make them any less stunning, but if you can identify any which I can’t then please leave a comment and let me know.

a white delicate flower with petals almost as thin as string against green foliage

The lightness and airiness of the white flowers above is their appeal, but I’m not sure what they are - they look like they could be related to a chrysanthemum but I’m happy to be told otherwise.

an intriguing plant whose flower-like leaves are blue/purple at the tips

It’s not often that you see a blue flower, even bluebells can be more lilac, and I’m not sure I’ve seen plants like the ones above and below before. I’m leaning towards them being some kind of wort or maybe a euphorbia, but I really don’t mind, as I think these are absolutely the most stunning. And if it turns out these are suited to woodland type environments then they’ll go to the top of my wish list.

similarly purple tipped 'leaves' forming around a deep magenta flower (obscured)

a bunch of allium heads against foliage which includes 'granny's bonnets'

Alliums and irises are more well known so I feel on safer ground with the next few photos. Each appeals for their vibrancy and delicacy, in equal measures.

a pale lilac bearded iris with a sandy path on the left and the flower border on the right hand side

And one final shot which I couldn’t resist including…

A stone 'cat' stretching with paws out and bottom in the air, on a plinth alongside some steps to a higher level

Isn’t it great - the expression, and how good does that stretch look?

Post Comment Love 14-16 January

January 14, 2022

Welcome to this week’s #PoCoLo - a friendly linky which I co-host with Suzanne, where you can link any post published in the last week. We know you’ll find some great posts to read, and maybe some new-to-you blogs too, so do pop over and visit some of the posts linked and share some of that love. If you were here last week it was great to have you along, if you’re new here this week we’re pleased you’re here.

As I mentioned last week I spent some time with MOH’s family moving his mum. She’s in and her new place looks like home, but boy was it hard work. Seriously hard work, but I guess downsizing always is, and that’s leaving aside the emotional side of moving house. It was definitely a case of going back to work for a rest!

Our post has been pretty erratic for the past few weeks with the postal service suffering from the fall out from Covid. We have started to receive post again, and this week a further three Christmas cards arrived. It’s definitely prolonging the Christmas season this year.

Where do you find peace?

January 12, 2022

That was the question that faced us as we started a walk around the lake at Stourhead when we visited at the end of last October, and it definitely made us stop and think. I mean look at that view, I think that alone was influencing our answer! But it’s true, isn’t it, in nature often brings peace - my usual answer would most likely have been Greenwich Park, had I not been standing in this exact spot.

A sign shaped as an oak leaf with the words 'where do you find peace?' in front of the Lake at Stourhead — WHERE DO YOU FIND PEACE?

I’m very much a take in your surroundings kind of walker, with occasional pauses to take it all in. This can frustrate MOH who likes to walk to get there, at a much quicker pace than I. But at times I can get him to stop and take stock of the views, and just as well as otherwise I might have missed the urn hidden amongst the greenery.

Looking down through bushes to the lake with an urn-like sculpture on the water's edge partially obscured

With paths leading invitingly off the main route, we left this one for another visit on another day.

A brick path, stepped leading to who knows where, the lake in the distance

Our visit was full of autumn colours, and spotting further excerpts along the way was a genius touch.

A quote stamped into an iron plaque mounted on a wooden board (which looks like a floorboard) — AND ROUND ABOUT SOFT MEADOWS OF
VIOLETS AND PARSLEY WERE BLOOMING.
THERE EVEN AN IMMORTAL, WHO CHANCED
TO COME, MIGHT GAZE AND MARVEL,
AND DELIGHT HIS SOUL…
*ODYSSEY,* HOMER

yellow, golden autumnal fern leaves in the foreground

It introduced me to poems I’d not read before, though I’m sure many have and they are well known and much loved.

a quote etched on glass in a wooden frame/stand in front of the lake — NOT DISTANT FAR FROM THENCE A MURMURING SOUND
OF WATERS ISSU’D FROM A CAVE AND SPREAD
INTO A LIQUID PLAN, THEN STOOD UNMOV’D
PURE AS TH’ EXPANSE OF HEAV’N, I THITHER WENT
WITH UNEXPERIENC’T THOUGHT, AND LAID ME DOWNE
ON THE GREEN BANK, TO LOOK INTO THE CLEER SMOOTH LAKE,
THAT TO ME SEEMD ANOTHER SKIE.
*PARADISE LOST,* JOHN MILTON

As you can see from the photos, we were really lucky with the weather and it was a real treat to capture the sunlight on the trees and enjoy the blue skies.

a usual view of stourhead with the arched bridge over the lake autumnal colours with the sun shining

a quote punched into an iron plaque mounted on a wooden post — NOTHING IN ENGLAND COULD COMPARE
WITH STOURHEAD… WE WERE IN SUCH
ECSTASY WE HAD THE UTMOST
DIFFICULTY IN TEARING OURSELVES AWAY
FROM THIS CHARMING SPOT…
BARON VAN SPAEN VAN BILJOEN, 1791

Looking back towards the lake and the arched bridge in the centre of the picture with trees around the lake

We made it round the lake, with plenty of stops for photos and to take in the views and much more - at some point I’ll share more from our short stop off at Stourhead, which is always a welcome stop as we head to Devon to visit family - and yes, I know it’s not the most direct route, but with views like this that’s not such a bad thing, is it?