Visit to Chenies Manor

On a very hot day in the summer of 2018 (were there any cool days in the summer of 2018?) Di Bray Gardens (ie me and Ann!) went to Chenies Manor with the local Garden Club. It was an absolute treat to be carried to and from a garden and plant sale with a group of like minded 'planty' people around you, especially the 'coming from' bit with so many plants of different shapes and sizes coming home with us. The coach was a veritable moving green house! Chenies Manor was fascinating both as a house and a garden. It is a wonderful example of Tudor living and has a real atmosphere - I particularly liked the Physic Garden and the contrasts of small, intimate spaces with the parkland and huge trees and their history. I'm not sure I came home with planting inspiration but I did come home with one or two plants - Aloysia triphylla (Lemon Verbena), Agastache 'Blue Boa', and two Pelargoniums - 'Attar of Roses' and one unamed (although on searching, it may be P. remforme?) with delicate, divided glaucous blue foliage and small pink flowers. Maybe I was inspired by the garden, as now I look at the plants I bought they all have a medicinal feel, and I must have been suffering from heat stroke to try Lemon Verbena again - will I ever get one through the winter without a greenhouse? I've always wanted to try Agastache (Hyssop) as it is so good for insects and smells wonderful - I've planted it next to Salvia 'Royal Bumble'.