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Melissa Trimingham's avatar

Once again you have inspired me- Walmer Castle is just up the road from me and I've never visited since school trips in the 1960s, when I think I recall being rather bored. It sounds amazing and I shall visit asap!

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Jack Wallington's avatar

That's funny, hopefully you'll be less bored this time around! It is starting to wind down for winter but worth a quick pop in, then I reckon it will be really exciting in spring and summer when everything is growing again.

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Bella's avatar

Thank you Jack. How wonderful to see Walmer Castle pop up in my inbox today - I did my RHS level 2 there in 2021. The gardens then used to be closed to the public from October to I think March, that may of changed, but a very special place to have to yourself on those days indeed. Also lucky to have divisions from the broad walk now growing in my own garden here at home. Did you get into the glasshouse?

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Jack Wallington's avatar

What a lovely place to do the course, with a good mix of different garden areas to see it in real life. We did look in the glasshouse but it’s closed off to guests now as the roof is starting to collapse so it’s not safe.

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Penny Errill's avatar

Thanks for a great piece on the castle, fascinating and I can't wait to visit, especially the jungle plants surrounding the mote! Spectacular! Lovely photos, especially since taken on such a wet dark day!

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Jack Wallington's avatar

Thanks Penny given how bad the weather was it still looked great! Can’t wait to see it in spring or summer one day.

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Julie Vann's avatar

What a brilliant article! Had no idea that this lovely garden existed. Will definitely put it on my list of gardens to visit. Thank you.

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Jack Wallington's avatar

Definitely worth a trip, would make a lovely weekend in that area by the sea in spring or summer

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Shirley Broughton's avatar

Yes, inspirational is the word, thank you.

Interesting about the Tetrapanex, as my flowering Fatsia is a magnet for bumblebees at the moment. Such an easy/useful food source at this time of year.

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Jack Wallington's avatar

Yes, I like these late flowering plants for that reason

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Lischer Tracy's avatar

Living in North Carolina in Pine Knoll Shores I had to google a shingles beach to see what it was. Now I know we were enjoying a shingles beach at Hendry’s (Arroyo Burro) Beach in Santa Barbara CA last April. I want to see these grounds and castle. Q: I do still hose the leaves off my moss patch, don’t I? Thank you

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Jack Wallington's avatar

If the beaches have wild plants growing in them they can be unusual and great habitats for wildlife. I wouldn’t hose leaves off. I either leave them of if you need to let light into the most, brush them off gently into planting areas or onto the compost.

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