Winter walk

After a fine but cold early morning walk with the ladies I went over the hill to collect my friend and headed  to RHS Harlow Carr near Harrogate. 
We used to be very good at timing this so as not to have to queue too long to get into Betty’s for lunch but they have now combined the cafe and restaurant and spread the tables out so the wait is a bit longer and out side.  The projected hour was actually just over 30 mins and we had a delicious lunch of curried parsnip soup and shared a seafood and a chicken sandwich. After a warming cuppa we braved out side.

A nice sunny day but a very cold wind. 
The best reason for visiting the gardens in the winter for me is the winter walk. I love the dogwoods and as there are larger numbers than you can have in an average home garden they make a great collective display.
At this time of year you also have the added benefit of the underplanting of hellebores and early spring bulbs.

This delightful hellebore set against the red dogwood stems was just crying out to be blipped.
Lots of snowdrops, aconites, miniature Iris, winter flowering heathers and hamamelis to enjoy too. You can see more in the extra collage but I will do a Flickr link too, probably tomorrow.

We would usually end our visit with tea and cake back in Betty's but one out door queue is enough for one day.

There is a picture of the winter walk borders at HC on page 5 of this months The Garden magazine.


flickr album - scroll down to the Harlow Carr pics