A play with the camera first thing this morning, before the crowds, with a few at the end of the day, with the longer shadows. A cycle in along the river this morning and again on the way home, quite delightful.
Hundreds of visitors for the gardens, four hundred? five hundred?, enjoying the double borders full of alliums and on the mellow brick walls, so many roses, the lilac and topiary. plume poppies, the vegetable and kitchen gardens, the pool, the beds originally laid out by Mary Keen, the huge figs and the chickens, the beautiful conservatory and the backdrop of Petersham House itself. Plus wood-fired copper tea urns, cakes and tables on the lawn to enjoy the view across Petersham, up to the Star and Garter and across Richmond Park.
Congratulations to the gardening team, Rosie Bines, with Edward, Steve and the stalwart volunteers, for putting on such a display – and to the teahouse team for the marvellous refreshments. I hope perhaps there is a chocolate brownie left over for me tomorrow.
The gardens are open again on September 16th, when it will be Dahlia-tastic, with huge plumes of grasses and swathes of Japanese Anemones and Crocosmia to dazzle.
Petersham Open Gardens takes place on Sunday 3rd June where a myriad of other local gardens will be opening to the public – as they do every two years – so please make a date. Google ‘Petersham Open Gardens’ for the website and for advance, and discounted, tickets.
The Teddington Gardener 