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Edgworth and District Horticultural Society
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SUMMER VISIT - 7th JUNE 2014



PLAS CADNANT HIDDEN GARDENS & CRÛG FARM NURSERY



On a Saturday which promised its fair share of rain and thunder storms, a packed coach of 53 members, plus 5 more in their own cars, set off on the eagerly awaited trip to Anglesey.

It had started raining as we boarded the coach outside The Barlow and continued until we reached the north Wales coast. We dared to hope the weather was improving, but as we got off the coach and entered the visitor centre at Plas Cadnant, the rain set in with a vengeance.

As the rain persisted we were welcomed by Kay Laurie, the Visitor Services & Marketing Manager and served tea & coffee in the Visitor Centre.

 

A wet welcome to Plas Cadnant
   

Plas Cadnant has been the home of the Price family since c1804 and in 1996 the present incumbent began work on the restoration of the historic garden and grounds. The transformation has been spectacular, with first the holiday cottages, then the gardens and finally the new Visitor Centre and Tearoom receiving a complete makeover.

Work on the garden restoration is still underway on the fringes, but the garden was finally opened to the public in 2013. The gardens are only open to the public on Sundays and selected weekdays and ours was a private visit.

Impromptu talk on the history of Plas Cadnant and its gardens


Although one or two hardy members headed off into the garden with umbrellas and full rain gear, the majority appeared a little reticent to ‘get drowned,’ so Kay kindly offered to give us an impromptu talk on the history of the gardens and their redevelopment, prior to lunch being served.

Despite the rain, the gardens were in stunning condition and full of interesting plants and shrubs, which were obviously well maintained. A few plants featured in the garden, were for sale, but the selection was a little limited.

After lunch the rain had abated and members took the opportunity for another quick tour of the garden before we set off the short distance back to the mainland and Crûg Farm Nursery.

Double Borders at Plas Cadnant


By the time we arrived at Crûg, the sun was shining and members were able to enjoy the small woodland walk and walled garden, before looking around the extensive sales area which was filled with rare and unusual species, all looking in tip top condition and many of which had been introduced to the UK by owners Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones after their numerous plant hunting expeditions to China and the Far East.

We left a little after 4.30pm heading back home with several members having stashed their purchases in the coach’s storage locker. By now the sun was shining and there was a beautiful cloudless sky. We had arranged the weather as well as the trip – we just got the timings wrong!

David Mason

Plant sales area at Crug Farm