On a dull, damp, and overcast morning, with rain threatening, we headed over to the RHS gardens at Harlow Carr, on the outskirts of Harrogate, for some fresh air and a change of scenery from a busy week working at home.

It was just after 11oclock as we popped into Betty’s for a takeaway coffee, There were lots of visitors milling around the entrance this morning, some chatting, others waiting for the rest of their families to arrive. After we exchanged pleasantries with the staff in the entrance ticket office, we made our way outside, down the slope past the heather beds and into the garden. A lot seems to have changed since our last visit in early March, as well as all the planting, several of the main paths look to have been re-laid with the resin coated membrane which makes for much easier walking. Our route took us on a clockwise direction, heading over to the Lakeside gardens and the sunken Edwardian Garden. Although it was a pretty drab morning, there was lots to see in the garden, the first plant we noticed were the stunning deep blue flowering Irises. The relatively new redesigned rockery adjacent to Betty’s restaurant looked very good, the planting will look really effective once it becomes established, the ferns were looking lush and vibrant as were the mini-Irises. What looked like Sicilian Honey Garlic was flowering nicely amongst the boulders, its beautiful multi pink florets swaying gently in the breeze. Continuing our walk, the Alliums looked amazing, the flower heads the size of a tennis ball, and the bees love them. The Purple Clematis on the gazebo near the sunken garden looked a picture, it’s lilac/purple-coloured flowers were vibrant and colourful. Small clumps of Dwarf Orange brightened up this part of the garden along with Siberian Iris and Jerusalem Sage.

From here we made our way down the gentle slope to the Tiormina Bridge and the QM lake, It was quite gloomy and overcast looking across the lake but there was lots of colourful wildflowers to see in the long grass around the waters edge, the pink florets of Bistort, Cowslips and Siberian Iris to name just a few, looking across onto ‘Southfield’ adjacent to the lake, the grass was left to grow and was again covered in more wildflowers, lots of Wild Teasel towered above everything else, the delicate white florets of Anthericum Liliago swayed gently in the breeze, more Bistort, and lots of Wood Cranesbill. Leaving the area around the lake behind us, we followed the Streamside footpath  towards the Old Bath House, there was lots of plants coming into flower along both sides of the path, including some lovely yellow flowering poppies which were growing through the stone retaining wall, plenty of purple flowering Columbine and swathes of light blue coloured Irises. There were lots of pink coloured Cowslips and some distinctive Great Masterwort in full flower. The Balsam Fir trees looked good, with their tall black fir cones. Over on the other side of the stream two Common Laburnum trees were in full flower, it was easy to see why they are also known as golden rain, because of their yellow flowers that hang in long clusters, they really did brighten up a dull morning. Cowslips and little miniature Iris provided lots more colour to the bank side. 

It was nice to see that one of the bridges which crosses the stream had finally been rebuilt, with just the landscaping around it to complete. The streamside rockery looked really colourful on the far bank; the light blue Meconnopsis growing nicely on the side of the stream. 

The Rhododendrons as you would expect at this time of year looked beautiful in full flower, lots of Pinks, Cream and White flowers brightened up the whole area.

The re designed paving area around the Old Bath House looked very good, the whole area has recently been laid with a resin-based gravel. We didn’t loiter in this area for too long as the stench from the toilets at the back of the bath house was quite rancid.

We continued up the slope, and contemplated popping into Betty’s Tea House for Brunch but as the weather looked to be taking a turn for the worse and as there is no indoor seating in the Tea House, we popped into the newly opened Harrogate Arms café, a little further up the slope instead. Suitably refreshed, and with the weather brightening up a little, Jenny headed over to the garden centre and shop for a browse, whilst I headed back down to the stream then followed the small track up to the Sandstone Rock Garden and ponds. The Meconopsis looked beautiful with their large delicate lilac-coloured petals, dark, purple-coloured Irises looked quite at home set against the huge blocks of Sandstone rock. I always enjoy this part of the garden with the ponds and associated pond life, today there was lots of Mayfly and Dragon Fly hovering just above the surface of the water. From here it is just a gentle walk up the slope to the garden centre. 

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised how beautiful the gardens looked today, even on a dull, gloomy and overcast day, we had a most enjoyable visit.