RHS Harlow Carr

Visited on September 22, 2007

Our trip to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)  Harlow Carr gardens was an impromptu adventure that we undertook on the advice of one of the Holehird volunteers.  It was a gorgeous Saturday and provided an opportunity to see some of the countryside and towns east of Manchester.

The RHS Harlow Carr garden is located in the town of Harrogate, about two hours from Manchester by train. 

As usual the people were fantastic in helping us find our way to our destination.  The bus driver informed us that we could use our city bus tickets as coupons for 1/2 off the admission fee to the garden.  The other passengers monitored our progress and let us know when to get up to exit the bus. 

My strongest impression was how much color there was for mid-September.  The beds were full and lush with well-kept lawns and walkways for strolling.  Certain areas conformed to themes (such as historical periods). There was plenty of room for rambling in this fifty-eight acre facility, which happens to be the most northerly of the RHS gardens. 

The alpine greenhouses were showing their age, but made for a nice presentation.  My favorite beds were the herbaceous perennials with the mix of ornamental grasses.