I have just returned from a lovely week in sunny Cromer, north Norfolk. This post is therefore not about my own garden but about some of the lovely polyculture related things I saw in the area.
At Felbrigg Hall, a National Trust property just outside Cromer, there is a wonderful walled garden. Amongst its treasures are some wall trained pear trees with massive fruit, allotments given over to local families and beautiful mixed plantings of fruit trees, vegetables and flowers. There were even hens with their chicks wandering around between them.
Globe artichokes and flowers at Felbrigg Hall Norfolk September 2011
Cromer’s parish church dominates the skyline of the town, particularly when viewed from along the cliff path. The building faces one of the main shopping streets and is a delight to behold with masses of joyful flowers planted around the gravestones. I would hope that one day when the time has come that I may equally and literally be pushing up the proverbial daisies, particularly if they are half as lovely as this floral display.
Cromer Parish Church September 2011
Another treat was a visit to Pensthorpe Nature Reserve near Fakenham. This is home to impressive numbers and varieties of birds and replete with habitat to encourage all manner of wildlife. Additionally there are three gardens – the lovely wave garden, a demonstration garden to show how we can all encourage wild life and the wonderful Millennium Garden designed by Piet Oudolf. This features prairie style planting, mostly comprised of herbaceous perennials. It is astoundingly attractive and good for insects plus elements of this style of planting would fit brilliantly within or alongside a forest garden.
Millennium Garden Penshorpe Norfolk September 2011
gardens of delight 
Beautiful! 🙂
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