This is somewhere I've visited several times and always found something different to take photos of. Although plant nurseries and garden centres can be fairly generic there are often features which are specifically local, or use local materials, and it's interesting to see how they fit into the landscape. One of the local features can be seen in the photo above - the ubiquitous Devon thatched roof on the archway near to the entrance, and - like the Sidmouth Garden Centre - it's set in the beautiful East Devon countryside.
Now called Otter Garden Centre, I've also added the original title of Otter Nurseries from my visits. It truly is a proper garden nursery too, as the majority of the trees, shrubs and plants are grown and nurtured here. It's also one of the largest garden centres, with a lot of interest and such a really nice place to walk around and enjoy.
With extensive grounds outside there is a huge variety of plants, including a great selection of cacti and succulents. Also a delightful area for a pond containing some lovely koi carp and water lilies, plus a stunning Japanese Pagoda style gazebo & ornaments.
Ottery St Mary is twinned with a town in Japan called Otterie and I did wonder at the time if this was set up in honour of the twinning. I did ask by email but didn't receive a reply, so I don't know, but it's a really nice thought if they did.
When I first added this to my former website it was the garden centre's 50th anniversary in 2014, having opened in 1964. A family owned concern, it was begun by Marilyn and Malcolm White as a market garden, growing vegetables and plants for local businesses in the market trade. It now encompasses seven garden centres, five in Devon and two in Somerset.
It's off the bus route for me and I've always wanted to go there so when a friend suggested going during the summer of 2013 I jumped at the chance. It's a fabulous place to have a wander around, buy plants, take photos, have coffee or lunch, and we went back there several times...sometimes with other 'ladies who lunch'!
Part of the displays was this trolley full of flowers, below. And below that is my own trolley with plants I was buying that day. Two pots of Felicia with their lovely mauve-blue flowers, a tray of Runner Beans, pots of Sweet Peas and orange Pansies.
At the end of the long indoor hall containing the small plants on tables and stacks is this greenhouse area.
Open at the sides this section includes ferns, palms, shrubs and small trees, such as the fabulous magnolia and lovely pale roses seen below.
Outside again where trees for sale are situated plus other outdoor produce and garden ornaments.
The one above is a stack amongst several containing plants ready to be moved indoors. This is my favourite photo of all the visits. There's always one!
Now onto the pots and garden statues.
Bearing in mind that the displays were often changing according to the seasons and new fashions in produce, and that these were taken some eleven to nine years ago, then it may look quite different now.
There be dragons! Plus funky goblins, fairies and other mythical beasts...
...along with graceful classical statues.
Including some cheeky mushrooms!
And some fab Buddhas and pagodas, seen below.
Then there were pots...lots of pots!
Other things too, such as hanging ornaments for the garden. I bought a fabulously mediaeval type of beastie on one of my visits, seen here...
...but other than that I mostly bought plants and packets of seeds - apart from a couple of things from a huge section selling all sorts of non-gardening related products. It led off from the cafeteria and, being a one way system, there was no choice but to go through the bait trap. It annoyed me because there were so many twists and turns, and dead ends with false Exit signs, so I always got lost. I really panicked the last time I went and my friend called for assistance to let me out through the emergency door, lol.
One of the last visits was a lovely soft day.
Attractive sculptures and a lovely acer tree showing off it's colour against the pale day.
We also came across these gorgeous fake ruins for the garden, which I really love. Unfortunately, they won't fit on my balcony! ;)
And I think that's just about it! Well, that was a lot quicker than I expected. Mind, half of it was already done and some of the rest was laid out with photo numbers and some text already in place. It was just a case of putting the rest in and tidying up. It still took a while but I'm really chuffed to get two done in one day. Making up for lost time!
Next is either Marine Parade in Lyme Regis or Fore Street in Beer. I've also got a smallish one that has no exterior photos but just some gorgeous stained glass inside, which I'll slot in at some point. :)
