Lockdown continues and these gardens, as are all, are closed to the public and so it is back to the archives and this collection of photographs from early May last year. I’ve brought it forward as the Wisteria has really taken to the warm days we have enjoyed this past few weeks and is in pretty much full bloom wherever I have seen it. The next few days, breezy nonetheless, are expected to bring temperatures into the mid 20s. Have a look at my Instagram posts as there are some beautiful specimens down by Hampton Court and closer to home. The scent is magnificent. But for the moment I will leave with these images from one of my favourite gardens with the hope that you might add it to your visiting list when we can enjoy safely more freedom of movement.
After dropping my Sister- and Mother- in law off at Gatwick Airport, a short drive down the M23 to Nymans, a National Trust Property of great charm.
Romantic ruins, beautiful gardens, far reaching views across woodland and downs, formal gardens and naturalistic, some tragedy, some infamy, quite a lot of beauty. Sadly too early for the Wisteria on the Great Pergola, or the Lookout, but the Rhododendrons and Azalea didn’t disappoint.
The HUGE Pieris (watch that spelling), is a real stand out performer. Serious conifers, great Heathers, architectural Yew pillars perfectly executed, ferns and woodland dwellers in peak condition, gorgeous herbaceous planting … and Handkerchief Trees (Davidia involucrata) just at the peak of Perfection. I urge you to read more about the history of the Messel family who were the owners of this property, of the society beauty, Maud, their colourful Son, their great gardeners.
I’ve met several times Victoria Messel, of the same line and member of the Nymans Florilegium, creating a painted botanical record of all of the plants on the estate. She was to have had a Gooseberry named after her, by the Head Gardener of the Day, but he didn’t make it through to completion. See, for example, the Magnolia Leonard Messel for ones that did get there in time.
A garden of great Atmosphere and from today’s perspective, in good hands. Would like to get back there in say, a couple of weeks time, to enjoy the Wisteria in full spate. Maybe.
The Teddington Gardener 