reviews of British gardens and nurseries, large and small.
"The best example of formal terraced gardens in Scotland" is a somewhat lofty claim. But honestly, when I arrived at dawn on a very cold and frosty morning last week I was in total agreement as I quite literally almost wept for joy at seeing the expansive gardens and topiary laid out before me, as... Continue Reading →
Situated in the shadow of the Malvern Hills, the Old Court Nurseries and Picton Garden are a family-run treasure that have evolved over three generations. Established in 1906 by Ernest Ballard, an early breeder of Asters, the garden was taken over by Percy Picton in 1947 who managed the garden for nearly ten years before... Continue Reading →
If you happen to live in Northamptonshire or Oxfordshire you may possibly have heard of Wappenham, but I would like to bet that not many people know of this village's existence. It's a tiny village - sadly no pub or shop but what it does have is a number of jolly nice gardens. We were... Continue Reading →
Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens are open on Wednesdays and Thursdays which is not much good if one works full time! Luckily the gardens are also open under the National Gardens Scheme once a year and we were lucky enough to be in the area at the right time this year. The Queen Anne house... Continue Reading →
Thousands of crocus tommasinianus are the main reason for a February garden visit to Little Court garden in the pretty village of Crawley near Winchester in Hampshire. Owner Patricia Elkington has been opening in aid of the National Garden Scheme since 1984 and this year she will be generously welcoming visitors from February to June.... Continue Reading →
As a South East of England dweller, I'm accustomed to National Trust properties being over-run with visitors, car-parks bursting at the seams and having to wait for a table in a tea room. Not so in quieter parts of England, such as Northamptonshire. It came as something of a surprise to note that Canons Ashby... Continue Reading →
Occasionally I like to review a garden outside the United Kingdom and a recent trip to Lanzarote revealed to me that this little island is not just a holiday destination for people wanting sunshine & sangria. The former home of landscape designer and artist, César Manrique, Lanzarote serves as a portfolio to the talented Manrique whose... Continue Reading →
'That tree' overlooking the estuary at Salcombe is a much-loved landmark & situated in the grounds of Woodcot, a listed Georgian house perched high above the town. Set in glorious and floriferous grounds, the house (divided into flats) opens its gardens each summer to raise money for the local minibus. An apron of lawn surrounds... Continue Reading →
Woolton House Garden is the only garden in the UK designed by the late Pascal Cribier whose designs were influenced by botanical & Mughal gardens. The walled part of the garden at Woolton House was commissioned in 2004 and is designed to reflect the style of Mondrian paintings. Cribier's best known work is the restoration of... Continue Reading →
Thenford gardens and arboretum are seldom open to the public so it was a privilege indeed to be able to take a look around the gardens in winter to admire the 555 varieties of snowdrops. Gardener Emma Thick (known on Twitter as the snowdrop lady) is an extraordinary galanthophile, so committed to her... Continue Reading →
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