Anyone with even a passing interest in growing exotic plants will be aware of Will Giles, gardener, author, tv personality who has over the last 30 odd years created The Exotic Garden in the centre of Norwich. The garden is a blend of very tender plants and hardy plants with an exotic feel, and does transport you to another place. The garden to us has a very Caribbean feel, with extremely bright colours combined with lush large leaves.
Hard to believe this photo is taken in the centre of Norwich. The house, which appears to be a fairly traditional looking British home, has a balcony and verandah added to the front, which when festooned with jungly climbers and curios transforms the feel of the home.
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| Tetrapanax 'Rex' |
In every direction the garden is packed with tropical and exotic looking plants.
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| Zingy and bright colours, clashing perhaps but looking very exotic |
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| Begonia luxurians |
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| Tall bananas - we have seen photos of the winter protection for the Musa basjoo, complemented by more tender bananas |
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| Succulents with more leafy plants, I really like this combination. Many of the succulents are in pots and I assume moved to more a benign location for winter. |
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| A delightful cascade by the rear door of the house, the pool was home to a selection of koi. |
I love the selection of bells hanging from this seating area. I think we may borrow this idea for our garden.
Norfolk or California?
A perfect end to our weekend away to Norfolk, and a few ideas that no doubt will appear in our own garden in due course :)
Gaz
Update
After posting this blog post it is with sadness we learnt that Will Giles lost his battle with cancer. Thank you Will for creating a wonderful garden and providing so many with the enthusiasm and information on so many unusual exotic plants. You will be much missed by everyone in the gardening world. Our thoughts are with Wills family and friends.
Mark and Gaz
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.
What an amazing garden! I've had Will Giles' book Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants for Temperate Climates for many years.
ReplyDeleteIs his garden open to the public or by invitation only?
What a wonderful opportunity to see such a special space.
Hi Gerhard, his garden is open to the public on weekend afternoons during the summer :)
DeleteWow, that's quite something. That huge palm in the last shot, I'd never have expected to see that in Norfolk?
ReplyDeleteNorfolk is a county that seems to be favourable to growing exotics Jessica :)
DeleteThe have a huge variety of plants. (Most I recognise) Is it a standard size garden? It looks much larger, but that is often the case when there's a jungle look to a garden - lots of layers and pathways and the boundaries hidden.
ReplyDeleteIt is a relatively large garden especially with its urban setting :)
DeleteThat garden would be a wonder in California but in the UK it's utterly remarkable!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed Kris, an amazing garden that really evokes being somewhere else much warmer :)
DeleteOh My, that garden is amazing. So lush and tropical and full of color. I would be very much at home there.
ReplyDeleteSame sentiments here Alison :)
DeleteThank you, thank you! This is a garden I've always wanted to see more of, your photos really help. Simply gorgeous! And that Begonia luxurians...oh my!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful display isn't it Loree? The staging of the garden is just wonderful :)
DeleteIsn't it looking fabulous!?! This is a shocking confession, but I am in Norwich at some point on nearly every day of the week, but because I am always busy while I am there, I never get the chance to visit Will's garden. You have reminded me that I had promised myself some downtime there. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely Sarah and you must visit it soon, you'll love it!!
DeleteBeautiful garden! I visited Norwich several years ago and loved it. I stayed there so I could drive out and to see Peter Beale's Roses and fell in love with Norwich. I had no idea such gardens existed there. I just read an article about the restoration of the garden near the Catholic church, The Plantation Garden? I definitely need to come back. Thank you for the beautiful photographs.
ReplyDeleteWe heard of Plantation Garden too and it's one we still need to check out. Glad to hear you loved Norwich, it's a lovely city and area!
DeleteThat's an impressive garden! Very bright and lush.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Amy :)
DeleteOh.My.Goodness. The plants, the waterfall, the climbers, the succulents and, yes, the bells - what a wonderful space! Was this your first visit? You guys must have been in heaven!
ReplyDeleteStunning isn't it? Second time visit but we have left it too long in between! :)
DeleteI assumed that Begonia luxurians was a manihot until you ID'd it. So glad you visited and posted on this remarkable garden.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have seen it again in its prime Denise :)
DeleteThis is an amazing garden, and I agree it has a Caribbean feel, from the exotic plants to the water falling over the rock wall. I wonder how many plants are not hardy, and what do they do when winter arrives. Do they have a large greenhouse?
ReplyDeleteLots of plants aren't hardy but used for a great display. They have large greenhouses to store them :)
DeleteLove, love, love this garden! I've watched videos and checked out the website before but really enjoyed seeing more on your tour! The height of the Musa basjoo is incredible. Maybe I'll try and protect mine this winter.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have seen this garden again Peter, just gorgeous! :)
DeleteI don't know why, but the first thought that struck me is that I would LOVE to spend some time in this fabulous garden when it rains. Well, anytime really, but especially when it rains. I can just imagine the sound of water on those large leaves - like a hydrophonic symphony. (Pretty sure I made that word up, but you know what I mean...) That Begonia luxurians is so massive - is it in the ground?
ReplyDeleteI think the begonias are bedded Anna :) same here, wouldn't mind spending time there even on a rainy day to see how even more atmospheric than it is already (albeit under eaves).
DeleteGaz, it is hard to believe that this garden is located in the UK! What is it with the fascination of the Brits with exotic plants ;-)? I think altogether the creator of this garden has done a great job, although I have to say that some of the color combinations are too bold for my liking. One combo that I do like though is agapanthus together with fuchias. It wouldn't have occurred to me and I also thought the agapanthus like much more sun than fuchias, but in this garden it seemed to work. I also love the different bells arranged by size hanging from the beam.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a nice rest of the week!
Christina
Sorry to hear yesterday that Will Giles passed away. Your post is a tribute to his garden and how much he has inspired generations of gardeners. RIP.
ReplyDeleteA fabulous garden and what timing with your post. RIP Will Giles.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful photos. I would have loved to visit Will's garden but it looks like I will never have that chance. His books definitely helped inspire my own garden!
ReplyDeleteAn alternative Alternative Eden...with flowers...and bells! I, too, love the bells.
ReplyDeleteI really love his book Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants for Temperate Climates. I'm so happy to see pictures of his wonderful garden thanks to you Mark and Gaz. That huge Begonia luxurians is stunning. I´m really sad to know he lost that tough battle...it really touches me because a very important person for me is also battling and having a rough time. I send all my best wishes to his family and friends. He will persist through his garden.
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