By Kind Permisson of Derry Watkins

Derry Watkins is a plantaholic and a major contributor to Gardens illustrated. She has had her nursery for Special plants for 25 years. She has exhibited at Chelsea. She and her husband have  made their own garden which they open to the public. In 1993 she won an award to go plant hunting in South Africa. Since she has also travelled widely to other countries collecting seeds hence  her marvellous collection  of exciting plants

Special Plants is seven miles north of Bath and four miles south of Junction 18 on the M4. Greenways Lane turns west off of the A46 100 yards south of the A420 roundabout. They are not in Cold Ashton village. It is about a mile down a very narrow winding lane. Please drive with care. There is plenty of room to park and turn around when you arrive.

 Special Plants nursery is open from 11.00am – 5.00pm.

Derry Watkins is the owner of Special Plants. She has a fabulous garden as well as the Nursery and you could buy tickets to visit her garden from 11.00am. Please don’t turn up before 11.00am. Her plants in the nursery will be on sale between 11am and 1pm before the visit to Dan’s garden. She will stay open for us after our visit to Dan to collect plants or last minute ‘must-haves’ and of course your car.

Costs.

No cost for visiting the nursery only. Visit to Derry’s garden with guided tour and refreshments £30. 

Please be at nursery by 1.00pm if you intend visiting Dan Pearson’s garden. Before you book to visit Derry’s garden, please check there are places in the afternoon if you want to go on.

You can turn up at Derry’s just to park and then be collected for Dan Pearson’s garden.

Lunch arrangements: The Chalcombe Inn is nearby Please book either to stay or for lunch. Landsdown Road, Chalcombe BA1 9TB 01225 421995

 You can picnic in the garden at Special Plants.

Also there is a restaurant very nearby with good food and wine called the Liliput Farm Kitchen book on 07747 546391