'Willpower & sheer idiocy combine in harmony'
WINNING four RHS Chelsea gold medals (2012-14 and 2016) and the President's Award for 2015 is no mean achievement, but that's what one County Durham nursery has achieved.
Harperley Hall Farm Nurseries, near Stanley, is a mail order specialist in alpine, woodland and specimen plants - now with my 10% off exclusive voucher code offer (see ad on Plants home page).
Tthe nursery has open days until the end of October and it's a treat for the plant obsessed - at very reasonable prices.
I pop up regularly to find a treasure trove of unusual varieties in the huge array of polytunnels, from fully-grown palms to the tiniest alpine.
My past purchases have ranged from alpines (Delosperma) to a Himalayan giant lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum), a Dwarf Cavendish banana and a Muscat grape vine.
The lily's another whopper, flowering at about 6ft.
Check out new plant arrivals at
www.harperleyhallfarmnurseries.co.uk.
Plantaholic's nursery: 10% off!
From top, candelabra Primulas; newly planted for autumn 2015, a mixed perennial bed; the palm tree bed, standing up to the County Durham winds and cold.
IF you need advice or plants, give Gary McDermott a call on 01207 233 318 or 07944 644 126 to arrange an appointment - he's always happy to help.
The nursery is open each Thursday and Friday from the beginning of March until the end of October, from 10am to 4pm.
These are the events for this season. Plants can be ordered and collected from shows (which saves delivery costs), place your order via email enquiries@harperleyhallfarmnurseries.co.uk at least seven days prior to the start of the show.
10-12 June - RHS Harlow Carr Flower Show.
16-19 June - BBC Gardeners World Live, NEC Birmingham.
5-10 July - RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.
20-24 July - RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.
4-7 August - RHS Hyde Hall Flower Show.
6-11 September - RHS Wisley Flower Show.
16-18 September - Harrogate Autumn Flower Show.
28-29 October - RHS London Shades of Autumn Show.
Special events & opening times
October 2015's NGS open day.
New plant update: left, Primula vialii Alison Holland and P. aurantica Harperley Pink are exclusive to the nursery and premiered at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, available to order from the nursery.