As most of you know by now our main hobby is exotic gardening with koi keeping secondary to that. Although both coexist in our garden, our external and social endeavours for both rarely mix together, and we pursue both disciplines on separate occasions. We are active members of Kangei Koi Club and we all meet quite regularly and have been visiting each others pond, as well as meeting up once a month. And being a koi club we talk mainly about, as the name suggests koi and rarely about plants and gardening.
But one of koi club buddies, Paul Randall to our pleasant surprise is actually into exotic gardening as well. And last Sunday he hosted a picnic and pond visit for the koi club. His pond is stunning but as a fellow exotic gardener naturally we paid as much attention to his planting as much as we did to his pond.
 |
| The clarity of his pond water is amazing, as well as the quality of his fish |
Paul's garden is fabulous and his planting is definitely right up our street especially with his penchance for cacti and succulents. His collection of succulent plants are so extensive that he's also in the process of applying for a national collection for some of them. And his love of spiky plants is clearly evident in his exuberant planting scheme.
Now let's take a tour of his garden:
 |
| Multi trunked Chamaerops humilis as the focal point of this bed |
 |
| Agave stricta |
 |
| This was fun! A nice way to make a feature out of an old tree stump |
 |
| Sempervivums in production |
 |
| Agave parryi |
 |
| Aloe plicatilis |
Before we look at more plant photos let's take a look at his koi pond again...
 |
| Unique curvy pond with amazing water clarity |
 |
| Loving the stained glass and details of the adjacent filter house |
 |
| Nice detail with the mosaic on both sides of the pond window |
Paul has a huge garden with a well laid out hard landscaping. Like most gardens though, despite already looking good it is still evolving as Paul develops new areas and focal points.
 |
| Space for veggies, nice! |
 |
| And pet tortoises, how cute! |
 |
| A large duck pond |
 |
| Separate growing on indoor koi pond |
Now for more plant photos...
For the koi club visit he set out a plant sales area with proceeds going to charity. We were an hour late and by the time we got there many of the plants were snapped up already. We still managed to buy a couple of very nice Echeverias. And I like the idea of the raffle too, for those who bought plants from the sales and I was hoping to win the tray selection but alas I didn't!
As you can imagine we'll be visiting Paul's again. Not only to see his wonderful koi but to also see his fab garden and collection of plants. Double treat!
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Looks like a wonderful garden/pond! I need an ID on one of the plants though... in the photo below the Aloe plicatilis, is that an Opuntia with pads that look like balls? I must know what that is!
ReplyDeleteIt is Alan :) I'll have to ask Paul that one, will get back to you shortly!
DeletePaul has such a great garden, so colorful and fun! And you're right, the water quality of that pond is amazing, especially in that photo of the fish through the glass. They almost look painted on.
ReplyDeleteWho needs a TV Alison when you have a pond window like that with water as clear as his :)
DeleteVery, very nice! You could have told me that the photos came from a Southern California garden and I would have believed you (except that the grass was suspiciously green and the begonias and coleus appeared to be surviving in the sun). The breadth of Paul's collection of sempervivums was very impressive, as was the condition of all his plants.
ReplyDeleteIt does look like his garden is from your neck of the woods Kris :) the verdant grass is the one that betrays its location the most. Next time we're back I'll take a closer look on his collections
DeleteWow! what a nice garden and the pond is huge! the idea of the plant sale is great!
ReplyDeleteLoved the plant sale idea Lisa. And based on the amount of plants sold looks like he had converted a lot of the members :)
DeleteWhat an awesome garden! It looks as though every bed is just a treasure trove of colorful jewels. Plus tortoises - tortoises are always adorable.
ReplyDeleteIt was already bedtime for them when we arrived but they looked cute too huddled like that :)
DeleteWow, two two two for the price of one! Such lovely koi, and it looks like he's got some spiky plant love going on too. I love the photo of the fish through the clear plexiglass - very fun...thank you for sharing! Oh, and LOVE the idea of plant sale for charity....hmmmm....gives me an idea...
ReplyDeleteDouble delight it was Tamara! Could spend a lot of time looking at his succulent collection. A plant sale sounds like a great idea for when you next open your garden :)
DeleteHow big was their garden? It looks huge. Such an array of plants. Looks like a beautiful sunny day to show it to advantage as well. I love the way the koi were checking you out through the glass as well.
ReplyDeletePaul's koi are very friendly and tame Missy :) I've forgotten the dimension but yes it was relatively huge, great location too with its sunny aspect and not too far from the town centre and yet rural enough
DeleteYou must have been in heaven! So is any of of his garden is dug for winter? At first I thought it must be in an urban heat island but as you kept showing more and more photos and I realized how big it was I then knew that was not the case. Wonderful plants and the fish are darn cute too.
ReplyDeleteThe garden was a double treat for us Loree, and the best part is it's only twenty minutes drive from ours so it's easy enough to visit regularly :) Most of the smaller succulents are dug up for winter storage, as well as those in pots but some of the bigger ones will be left in situ with some protection on it
DeleteHello Mark and Gaz,
ReplyDeletePicnic, plants and a pond......what more can one ask for? This looks to have been a great day out. A garden with so much of interest by way of plants as well as design and the fish too. We are certain that there will have been something for everyone. It is always good to visit other gardens and glean ideas from them. Paul's garden certainly seems to have many good things worth copying.
It was a perfect time spent there Jane and Lance, fab garden and koi with great food served (we're fans of Paul's Chilli now). The garden was inspiring and we took home several ideas with us :)
DeleteWow! Not so sure about that tree trunk with eyes, but...wow!
ReplyDeleteIt is Helen :) and I do like that tree trunk!
DeleteWow, you guys must have had a ball! So many interesting areas and great plants, and those koi are gorgeous. And just when you think you've seen it all.. pet tortoises! Do they swim in the duck pond?
ReplyDeleteNot sure Amy, will ask next time we get the chance :)
DeleteI was curious about the same plant Alan mentioned...will be watching for your ID. As we know, it's great to hook up with those who share a hobby...but TWO...that's magic.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Ricki, quite rare too :)
DeleteThis garden is a riot of colors and textures. I don't think I've ever seen succulents mixed in with so many other kinds of other plants.
ReplyDeleteNow what is a "national collection" and which succulents is Paul collecting?
Hi Gerhard, some gardeners collect a certain group or type of plants and the RHS here awards a national collection status to them with outstanding and extensive collections. I didn't get the chance to clarify which ones he applied for and only got grasp of a passing comment but will certainly ask him next time we meet up. Could be tomorrow actually :)
DeleteHis garden is HUGE! I love all the different ponds and the planting is amazing!
ReplyDeleteWould love a garden as big as his someday Libby :)
DeleteAn incredible space full of so many great plants! It's cool that he also has space for tuberous begonias, a fave of mine. That pond is amazing and all that greenhouse space is yummy. To keep this huge garden and pond looking this great must require a lot of work! Thanks for sharing this special place! I look forward to your future visits!
ReplyDeleteOhh to have that much space, both outdoors and greenhouse would be a dream come true Peter :) and I like those tuberous begonias too!
DeleteThat really is the perfect combination for you guys isn't it, you are not alone in your paired hobbies! Magnificent koi pond, and that's not a pump house, its a pump palace! Love the quirky touches in the garden. Paul clearly gardens with passion and humour, not to mention great skill.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Janet :) And Paul would be delighted to hear about 'pump palace' too!
DeleteAbsolutely stunning! I love all the colors, textures and shapes. I especially like the cactus growing against the deep terra-cotta colored wall. It must have been hard to see it all in just one visit!
ReplyDeleteWe so need to go back soon and take more in Debs :)
Delete