A group of us spent Sunday at Chester Zoo, taking photos and chatting and generally having a great time! It was a beautiful day. My own garden is looking a bit drab right now so I thought instead I'd show you some of the zoo gardens this GTS. For me, one of the best things about the Zoo is not the animals but the wonderful gardens and the imaginative planting. I really enjoy a section of the Zoo planted with many different types of grasses which rustle and wave beautifully in the slightest breeze, and then there are the floral displays - imaginative and colourful.
We were all very taken with these mesh figures in various poses that appear in these flowerbeds. We weren't sure if they are going to be topiary figures eventually but even now they are eyecatching and effective. If a bit ghostly!
Finally, these wonderful purple flowers really caught my eye! I'd like some of these in the garden for next year...now can anyone tell me what they are called?
Happy gardening everyone!
11 comments:
The mesh figures are a good idea. I would let them as they are now, I like the ghost in them :-)
Sorry, i can't help with the flowers.
I do love those mesh figures...ghostly but unobtrusive :o)
I think the flowers are Aster novi-belgii.....michaelmas daisies
Happy Gardening
Rx
I like those Wire Women (Wire Women alliterates better!)
Great pixx as always!!
Take care
gleds
They look like Asters. There 100's to choose from now. It will surely liven up your garden in the fall. I tend to like the shorter and dwarf varieties but you can pinch the tall ones to keep them more manageable. If they are happy you can divide them every few years for free plants.
A few of my favorites:
'Purple Dome'
'Lady's in Black'
'Blue Star'
The gardens at the Zoo look great. I guess I am not the only one who goes to the zoo for the plants!
I hope those figures will become topiary, they'd look fab As for the name of the flowers . . . . . I'll make my quick exit now!
If Ruth is right (which I'm sure she is) when little my daughter called them "go to bed plants" as they close at night
The mesh figures or chicken wire figures are probably made to be clothed. Or at least I have seen them clothed here in the states.
Fantastic images! It is obvious you have a passion for gardening. My mother is the same...as for me...I love the garden...it just doesnt always love me. I am working on my green thumb though. wonderful images...thanks.
Those mesh figures are amazing. Very captivating.
What wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing your Field Trip with us. I will have one of Farmer's Market next week. I just love field trips! Chris
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Chester Zoo are no longer going to have any formal bedding schemes. The famous spring and summer flower displays around the Fountains Lawn are going to be replaced with shrubs, and the flowers in front of Oakfield House will also go in a year or two's time.
The rose beds by the chimpanzee enclosure have also been grubbed up and replaced by shrubs and bark. Essentially, there are very few flowers remaining at Chester Zoo, other than in the glass houses and in some exhibits.
The reasons the zoo give are that they want something more permanent and less labour intensive. They also don't believe that replacing bedding plants is "environmentally sustainable".
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