After a scrumptious lunch and a good old plant nutty banter with fellow like-minded plant enthusiasts including Keith & Moira – a fabulous couple who have created an amazing garden called Cilgwyn Lodge Gardens nearby – I was escorted around the Botanic Garden, now celebrating 10 years of existence, by the charming Kevin Davies. I felt really ‘normal’ (is that possible I hear you readers chant!) – around fellow plant nutters. It reassured me that I’m not the only obsessed plantsman out there in the chlorophyll filled cosmos! 

The unusual Bee Wax exhibition (including life size hammers made entirely of wax) and the new tropical greenhouse were brilliant – but to be honest everyone, I was blown away by what I can only describe to you as an ‘Easter Egg Greenhouse’ – a curiously ‘egg like’ curved structure stridently emerging from a grassed Welsh Hillock – extraordinary!!! The internal Mediterranean style planting must be the finest in the UK. The huge range of Macaronesian flora – especially from the Canary Islands, South African Aloes, Proteas & Restios & Australasian Mimosas & Melaleucas were staggering. The smell and vibe/aura upon entering this egg, oblong fantasy is that good that you’re transported to the outback, fynbos, & Canarian Hillsides instantly – no airports, check-in baggage, deep vein thrombosis & plastic in-flight food worries to even contemplate – what a buoyant atmosphere!

I could go on but will spare you any more banter – apart from to say – Bloggers get yourself to The National Botanic Garden of Wales – start by visiting www.gardenofwales.org.uk or ring 01558 668768.

a). Giving a lecture to Writtle College - a large land based college near Chelmsford, ssex - about my dark yet inspiring Colombian days and the resultant developing yet recently frosted World Garden. The packed 150 strong audience were fabulous and made me feel so welcome making me realise how rewarding giving horticulturally endowed speeches can be. The buzz before, during and after the lecture gave moi the biggest kick ever – I absolutely lapped it up.

And b). The second key point of inspiration this week occurred, just a few mins ago. To put this into perspective readers – I’ve never flowered one of these glossy evergreens before. Furthermore this has been the coldest winter since the 80’s at Lullingstone. And to top it off this morning (Monday 1st March) is by far the most sun filled glorious day in Kent of the year so far.

So with deeply filled airily stretched lungs inhaling the clean Kentish Darent Valley atmosphere at 6.38am on Monday 1st March I strolled past North Korea heading for the North East sloping coast of Japan and was stopped dead in my tracks by Camellia ‘Inspiration’. I was informed by lots of folk that it wasn’t difficult to flower but this is ridiculous. This a tad over 2ft tall plant is simply covered in buds with one bud already bursting forward to reveal a blushy deep pink knockout semi-double flower with a naughty yellow pollen filled centre. This Camellia will even tolerate a certain amount of alkaline soil.

Camellia ‘Inspiration’ - a cross between Camellia reticulata and Camellia saluenensis - will tempt even the cautious gardener to cultivate it – It’s really NOT difficult to grow (but like all Camellias try not to position your plant in an open East facing position as early morning sun especially after a frost can brown off the flowers). Plus is widely available. A bonking bonus is the fact that this Camellia takes to pot culture no worries at all.  No wonder it was given - An Award of Garden Merit in 1984.
Reader’s here’s to ‘Inspiration’ - we all need it!

Keep Battling on - Tom the flowering Camellia Man.