Something a Little Bit Different

In the last post on my Ramblings from Rosebank blog here I wrote about a visit to a wonderful little place called the Garden Barn which is about a twenty minute drive from where we live.  I was so impressed with it that I took the beloved with me on Monday for another look.

It isn't a garden centre exactly - I mean it doesn't sell compost and the usual trays of pansies etc. - no it is more of a garden experience.  It used to be a farm but now the barns have been converted into a shop for garden ephemera.  Lots of vintage - and what the Americans would call 're-purposed' items.

Old tin baths ideal for use as planters

Old step ladders for displaying pot plants

Railway sleepers propped up on old chimneys to display a row of lavender

Earthenware pots and flagons for garden decoration

A beautiful vintage pergola for training the runner beans

and inside the barn - old display cabinets

all the items beautifully displayed

and upstairs in a viewing gallery - a small cafe with retro furniture.

and outside again - a cast iron garden table and chairs - sadly, for display purposes only.

I came away with lots of ideas to try and put into practice in my own garden.  I already have old tin buckets full of plants and the old flagons and earthenware which I have accumulated over the years.  And I have three railway sleepers that I have wondered what to do with.  Now I know - I'll use them to display pots of flowers raised on brick columns.

It's not often that I come across a place that ignites my imagination - this one certainly did.