We left Mr P tending our own garden and headed off once more to Chatsworth House and the gardens there. We've visited the house and gardens on several occasions, but never managed to get there when our daughter was with us. I was pleased that she offered to drive and so the day out went smoothly with good weather, pre-booked access and easy parking next to the entrance to the gardens. There was no queuing thanks to the time slot we had chosen and staff were there to welcome us at the booth where we showed our booking details. Once inside the gardens we decided to walk on the pathways on high ground, visit the specialist garden areas and glasshouses and then rest halfway with our picnic snack before going down towards the house and lawns. There were several catering stalls in the gardens as well as refreshment facilities near the house and gift shop.
The Display Greenhouse has three zones - temperate, Mediterranean and tropical.
lime flowers and fruit
patrea volubilis
brunfelsia pauciflora
passiflora (passion flower)
It was hot in the Display Greenhouse and masks had to be worn because of the difficulty with social distancing, but it was worth going in to see so many interesting plants including the Dwarf Cavendish banana. Musa Acuminata was first imported in 1829, nurtured carefully, did well and now this type of species is grown commercially world-wide. Last time we visited we saw bananas growing on a plant.
In the Vinery there are grapes that are grown for the present Duke's table as well as pomegranates and figs. (In another area flowers to cut and display in the house are also grown). The 1st Duke of Devonshire's Camellia House is also open to the public whilst another beautiful conservatory, The Conservative Wall Greenhouse (below) grew peaches, nectarines and other citrus fruits against the south facing walls.
The Conservative Wall Glasshouse (above). This was Joseph Paxton's only surviving
greenhouse. More about Joseph Paxton, the first Head Gardener, another time.
The First Duke of Devonshire's Orangery (above) now contains mainly camellias and other hothouse plants. The fashion for orangeries and greenhouses was introduced by King William III and Queen Mary II. They became popular in the gardens of the great houses of the day and this greenhouse is one of the oldest in England.
What was once planted with roses when we last visited is now a wildflower garden.
As we stopped to look at the flowers I overheard someone talking to a friend. Apparently the wildflower meadow is a memorial garden where the colours of the flowers represent different nations.
There's so much to see in the gardens especially as plants and vistas change with the seasons. The present Duke and Duchess are patrons of the arts so there are new sculptures to see as well as permanent features. As keen gardeners we're interested in home grown produce so seeing a well maintained kitchen garden was an inspiration. On the website we had read that the Water Cascade and Emperor Fountain were not working due to maintenance work being carried out so we were especially pleased when we drove into the parkland and saw the water of the fountain gushing out high up above the trees.
Once more thank you for your visit and I wish you a good day.
