Gunnera manicata

We had a lovely trip to Fairhaven Water Gardens with my cousin, her husband and daughter.  I had lots of lovely pictures, and could not decide which one to post.  In the end, I have opted for this one.

I had an ulterior motive in suggesting a visit to Fairhaven.  We had a Gunnera in our garden at a previous house, and I have hankered after one since then.  We now have a bog area especially created so I CAN have one, but W is not so keen.  In the end, we have bought a Gunnera, but it is a slightly more restrained species than this, Gunnera tinctoria.

Fairhaven is full of flamboyant plants - Gunnera, Skunk cabbage, and a plant which at the time we were unable to identify, but which we described as looking like a ligularia on steroids.  In fact, I think it was a Petasites japonica.  There was also a lovely dogwood (see the extra) that we might be tempted to acquire, and a profusion of candelabra primulas.