Category Archives: Open to the public

An East Sussex Odyssey and the jewel in the crown, Great Dixter

April 20, 2018 by The Teddington Gardener

Well this time I’ll let the pictures do the talking. And I nearly didn’t call in this time around to Great Dixter and am so glad I did. I don’t recall that I have visited in Spring before (it is a stupendous garden in late summer and autumn) and I did attend one of Fergus Garrett’s day course on succession planting and perhaps that was earlier in the year. But Oh My Goodness – what a show there is just […]

Categories: Architectural Plants, Bulbs, colour, conifers, Cottage Garden, Cutting Garden, Dry Garden, Exotic, Flowering Cherry, Fragrant plants, Fruit Trees, Garden Design, General comment, Great Dixter, herbaceous, Kitchen Garden, Magnolia, Mediterranean Garden, Open to the public, Organic Gardening, Organic pest control, Ornamental trees, Seasonal colour, shade, spring flowering, Spring Garden, Travel broadens the mind, Tropical, Vegetables, Wildlife gardening, Woodland Garden • Tags: East Sussex, Fergus Garrett, Great Dixter

A Grand Day Out – Part 2 – King John’s Nursery and Gardens, East Sussex

April 20, 2018 by The Teddington Gardener

A second stop in my East Sussex odyssey, having been to Pashley Manor Gardens and now calling in at this very peaceful nurseries and gardens, King John’s. A quirky nursery and plant centre, with a delightful cafe and a beautiful garden surrounding the adjacent house. A wild orchard garden, large lawns, canal, woodland garden, statuary and quirky features abound. Such a tranquil spot, and the wild garden was an absolute delight, the long grass studded with primroses and fritillary, with […]

Categories: Art in the landscape, colour, Cottage Garden, Flowering Cherry, Fragrant plants, General comment, Open to the public, spring flowering, Spring Garden, Woodland Garden • Tags: East Sussex, King John's Nursery. King John's Nurseries and Gardens

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A Grand Day Out. First stop, Pashley Manor Gardens, East Sussex

April 20, 2018 by The Teddington Gardener

Such a glorious day to go out exploring and so I headed out to the wilds of East Sussex to take in these gardens at Pashley Manor before heading on to …. King John’s Nursery and Gardens, Merriments and Great Dixter, and ending up making a few purchases at The Old Rose Nursery in Northiam. A few miles and all under a bright blue sky. All prompted by the arrival in Gardener’s World Magazine of the 2 for 1 garden […]

Categories: Art in the landscape, Bulbs, Camellias, Climbing plants, colour, conifers, container gardening, General comment, Magnolia, Open to the public, spring flowering, Spring Garden, Travel broadens the mind, Woodland Garden • Tags: East Sussex, Pashley Manor, Pashley Manor Gardens, Ticehurst, Tunbridge Wells

THe RHS London Orchid Show – 6th April 2018

April 8, 2018 by The Teddington Gardener

A day in town, visiting the Royal Horticultural Society Orchid Show at the Horticultural Halls by Vincent Square. Me and rather a lot of other folk – this was by far the busiest I have ever seen one of these London shows and speaks to the quality, calibre and quantity of exhibitors with their amazing charges. Sensory overload, it was – with gem after gem, after rarity, after something even more unusual, more geographically diverse and sometimes downright strange. I […]

Categories: General comment, House plants, Open to the public, Orchids, RHS London Show, Tropical • Tags: Aliceara Tahoma Glacier, Banfeldara Mystic Maze, Brassia rex, Burnham Nurseries Orchids, Calanthe aristulifera x striata, Calanthe Green Hybrid, Calanthe hancockii Xkozu Red, Cattleya Cariad's Mini-Quinee Angel Kiss, Cattleya Hybrid, Coelogyne parishii Hook, Cymbidium Cali Night Geyserland, Cymbidium Cliff Hutchings, Cypripedium Bernd, Cypripedium Lady Dorine, Dendrobium Berry Oda, Dendrobium densiflorum, Dendrobium Firebird, Dendrobium Sa-Nook Blue Happiness, Dendrobium Sa-Nook Purple Happiness, Dendrobium Wenzelii, Eleanthus blatteus, Epidendrum burtonii, Epidendrum nanegalense, Horticultural Halls, Iwanagara Apple Blossom Golden Elf, Laurence Hobbs Orchids Ltd, Lycaste longipetala, Lycaste Panorama Mundial, Masdavallia Charisma John, Masdevallia Dean Haas Rachel, Miltonia Sunset, Oncidesa Tariflor Snow White, Oncidium Angel Island, Oncidium Jungle Monarch, Oncidium phymatochium, Oncidium Stirbec, Oncidium Tiger Crow, Oncidium Tropical Jungle, Oncostele Catatante, Orchids, Paphiopedilum Pinocchio, Paphiopedilum Skip the Buss, Paphiopedium Cloud's Pink Crystal, Paphiopedium maudiae, Peruflora, Phalaenopsis Chengdu, Phalaenopsis Dover, Phalaenopsis equestris, Phalaenopsis Kaoda Twinkle, Phalaenopsis Kleopatra, Phalaenopsis Little Star, Phalaenopsis Luxor, Phalaenopsis Marmalade, Phalaenopsis New Life Scented Variety, Phalaenopsis Purple Princess, Phalaenopsis Sunshine, Phalaenopsis Violet Queen, Phalaenopsis Zomora, Phragmipedium Eumlea Arias, Pleione Stromboli Fireball, Prosthechea cochleata, RHS London Orchid Show, Rhyncattleanthe Shinfong Little Sun Young Min Golden Boy, Taichung Beauty, Trichocentrum Kumquat, Vanda, Vanda Annant Gold, Vincent Square, Writtlington, Zygopetalum crinitum

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Camellias, mostly – a beautifully colourful tour through the woodland landscapes at RHS Wisley

March 28, 2018 by The Teddington Gardener

Such a beautifully sunny, warm and fragrant afternoon at RHS Wisley. Crowds upon crowds filling the car parks but amongst the meandering paths of Battleston Hill, just a few folk pottering through the woodland paths, admiring the camellias. An amazingly colourful display pretty much at their peak, or just a little over, filling the wooded hillside with rich shades of crimson, pink, cream and white. The magnolias were still tightly budded, save a very few, and the woodland floor was […]

Categories: Camellias, colour, Evergreen shrubs, Flowering Cherry, Fragrant plants, General comment, Hellebore, herbaceous, Magnolia, Open to the public, Ornamental trees, Plants for a shady garden?, Rhododendron & Azalea, RHS WIsley, Seasonal colour, shade, Shrubs, spring flowering, Spring Garden, Trees, White Garden, Woodland Garden • Tags: Abutilon Marion, Camelia Shugetsu, Camellia, Camellia Aprul Dawn, Camellia Brian ( saluemsis x reticulata), Camellia Doctor Louis Polizzi (reitculata x saluenensis), Camellia Francis Hanger, Camellia Freedom Bell, Camellia Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Camellia Inspiration, Camellia Invitation, Camellia japonic Furo-An, Camellia japonica Alexander Hunter, Camellia japonica Donation, Camellia japonica Guilio Nuccio, Camellia japonica Joe Nuccio, Camellia japonica Lily Pons, Camellia japonica Mercury, Camellia Leonard Messel (reticulata x williamsii), Camellia Les Jury, Camellia Royalty, Camellia williamsii Ballet Queen Variegated, Camellia williamsii Mirage, Camellia x wiliamsii Les jury, Camellia x williamsii, Camellia x williamsii Clarrie Fawcett, Camellia x williamsii Coppelia, Camellia x williamsii Daintiness, Camellia x williamsii Laura Boscawan, Camellia x williamsii Leonara, Camellia x williamsii Muskoka, Daphne bhlua Peter Smthers, Daphne Peter Smithers, Edgeworthia chrysantha, Erythronium dens-canis old Aberdeen, Erythronium tuolumense, Magnolia loebneri Merrill, Magnolia stellata Royal Star, Prunus campanulata Felix Jury, Prunus Euridice, Pulmonaria Blue Ensign, Pulmonaria Coralie, Pulmonaria longifolia Bertram Anderson, Rhododendron grande, Rhododendron strigillosum, RhododendronGolden Oriole Group, shade, Stachyurus chinensis Celina, woodland garden, x williamsii George VBlandford

A birthday treat to myself – a day trip to Thailand …

February 28, 2018 by The Teddington Gardener

While the Beast from the East continues to freeze and snow lies deep and crisp and even on the ground, I thought today would be a good day to find warmer climes – by way of the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew – and explore the floral delights of Thailand. Their annual orchid extravaganza is on for just a few days more and while outside looked and certainly felt more arctic, inside it was a balmy few degrees closer […]

Categories: Architectural Plants, Climbing plants, Flower Shows, House plants, Indoor gardening, Open to the public, Orchids, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew • Tags: Kew Gardens, Orchids, Princess of Wales Conservatory, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Jean Southwell and the Gertrude Jekyll Gardens at Lindisfarne

February 26, 2018 by The Teddington Gardener

I travelled up to Newcastle-upon-Tyne this past few days to say a final goodbye to a good friend, Jean Southwell, whom I have known for nigh on 30 years and a woman who has been an inspiration and joy to me. And someone who taught a great appreciation for gin, it must me added. She has been ill for nigh on four years and despite living with cancer for all this time, has been a positive spirit, travelling as much […]

Categories: General comment, National Trust Gardens, Open to the public • Tags: gertrude jekyll, Gertrude Jekyll at Lindisfarne, Jean Southwell, Lindisfarne Castle, Lindisfarne Castle Garden, Lindisfarne Island, National Chrysanthemum Society, Northumberland

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A few shots from Petersham Nurseries – plants, pots and cats ….

February 22, 2018 by The Teddington Gardener

Just a little gallery …

Categories: Alpine, annuals, Bedding, container gardening, Exotic, floristry, Fragrant plants, House plants, Indoor gardening, Magnolia, Open to the public, Petersham Nurseries, Seasonal colour, spring flowering, Spring Garden, Tropical • Tags: Calathea, Calceolaria, Cats, early spring, flowers, houseplants, magnolia, Petersham Nurseries, Poppy, Primroses, Sprintime, The Garden Shop, Tropical plants, Twilight

A ‘Meet the Experts Tour’at Kew Gardens – Snowdrops (Galanthophiles Rule OK) – and my first sighting of the newest species in the club, Galanthus trojanus

January 11, 2018 by The Teddington Gardener

Such a treat, earlier this week, attending one of Kew Gardens’ Meet the Experts Tours. Every Tuesday throughout the year (or probably pretty much), you are delivered into the hands of one of their Experts for a private tour of one aspect of the work going on at Kew. This month they are talking everything snowdrops (it is Carnivorous plants next month – the link is at the end of the blog for further information). Small groups, 15 as a usual […]

Categories: Alpine, Autumn garden, General comment, Open to the public, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Snowdrops (Galanthus), Winter Garden • Tags: 21 species of Galanthus, Aaron Davis, Aaron P Davies, Aaron P Davis, Acis, Alpine Yard, Amyrrillidacea, Crocus sublimis, Cultivating snowdrops, Davies Alpine House, Galanthophile, Galanthus elwesii, Galanthus elwesii monostrictus, Galanthus elwesii Three Leaves, Galanthus elwesii var monostictus, Galanthus elwesii Yvonne Hay, Galanthus gracillis, Galanthus John Grey, Galanthus plicatus Florence Baker, Galanthus plicatus Wendy's Gold, Galanthus trojanus, Galanthus woronowii, galanthus., grwing snowdrops, iris reticulata North Star, Kew, Kew Gardens, Leucojum aestevum, Leucojum vernum, Meet the Experts, Meet the Experts tour Kew, most expensive snowdrop sold, Narcissus hispanicus, Narcissus romieuxii subsp. albidus, new galanthus species, new species of snowdrop, potting medium for snowdrops, Rock Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Snowflake, splitting snowdrops, Superintendent Roack Garden, taxonomy of snowdrops, The Genus Galanthus Aaron P Davis, Tom Freeth

RHS Wisley – blue skies and sunshine illuminate this beautiful late-November landscape

November 24, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Such a beautiful day, yesterday, 24th November, under a bright blue clear sky and welcome sunshine. Chill but quite beautiful. I’d never seen the car parks so full – in fact I was directed over a mile down the lane towards the village before heading cross-country into previously unseen fields before making the trek back up to the entrance. There’s a craft fair on it turns out and being a beautiful day, well the crowds were out in force. Happily […]

Categories: Architectural Plants, Autumn garden, Camellias, Christmas, Clematis, Climbing plants, Cottage Garden, dark foliage plants, Exotic, Grasses, Hellebore, herbaceous, House plants, November, Open to the public, Ornamental trees, Rhododendron & Azalea, RHS WIsley, Roses, Trees for smaller gardens, Tropical • Tags: Alpine House, Alpine plants, Autumn Garden, beech, Begonia, Berberis Orange Rocket, Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii 'Profusion', Camellia Volcano, Camellia Yulketide, Cornus alba, Cornus sanguinea Anny's Winter Orange, Ginkgo biloba, Glasshouse, Malus hupehbensis, November Garden, Orchids, Quercus rober, Rhododendron Wine and Roses, RHS Wisley, Rosa mulliganii, Rubus biflorus, Rubus cockburnianus, Salix Yelverton, Silver Birch, Wisley

Kew in the Country – an early Autumn tour of Wakehurst Place

October 7, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Quite the contrast from the sunshine and blue skies enjoyed just yesterday. Cool, cloudy, a little drizzle and everybody kitted out as if they were about to take on a winters’ trek through the Lake District. Still, October it is and Autumn is beginning to tickle the trees in this vast and varied landscape and the fresh air and quiet solitude (so very few folk about) was a treat. In a few weeks, the show will be even better though […]

Categories: Architectural Plants, Art in the landscape, Autumn garden, Japanese Maples (Acers), Open to the public, Ornamental trees, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Seasonal colour, Travel broadens the mind, Trees, Trees for smaller gardens, Woodland Garden • Tags: acers, Autumn, autumn colour, Autumn Colour Hotline, Birch, Forestry Commission, Kew, Maples, Surrey, Trees, Wakehurst Place, Westonbirt Arboretum

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A return visit and a more leisurely tour of RHS Wisley

August 26, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

A return visit to the gardens at RHS Wisley, in the brightest of sunshine, to take a more leisurely walk than I had time for last week – and to stroll through the orchards, Glasshouse borders and seven acre wood. Hugely busy as you might expect on the eve of a Bank Holiday weekend but as ever, amongst the winding paths of Battleston Hill and in the woodland landscapes, you almost had the place to yourself. Lots to admire still, […]

Categories: Architectural Plants, General comment, Grasses, herbaceous, late summer border, Open to the public, RHS WIsley, Seasonal colour, Summer garden, Trees for smaller gardens, White Garden, Woodland Garden • Tags: August, Battleston Hill, Glasshouse borders, Hydrangeas, Orchards, RHS Wisley, summer, Wisley

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A lightning tour of RHS Wisley – Hydrangeas, the new Tropical Garden & more…

August 25, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

A gallery and pretty much just that – a few plant names – from my visit last weekend to RHS Wisley. The first visit in quite a while but nevertheless, a brief one at that. Busy busy busy!I hope to get out and explore a little more, further afield, in the next couple of days – and to be able to write a little more about the plants and places. These are my hopes at least. This proves at least […]

Categories: Cottage Garden, Cutting Garden, dark foliage plants, David Austin roses, Hydrangea, Open to the public, plants for roses, RHS WIsley, Seasonal colour, Summer garden • Tags: Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden, Hydrangea, RHS Wisley, Rose Garden, tropical garden

A Petersham Nurseries Gallery – one the eve of opening in the heart of Covent Garden, a few images from the source of its inspiration …

July 30, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Puddles, Dahlias, among many more colourful floral delights, cats and sparkly things … everything you might expect from Petersham Nurseries – and you can enjoy of all of these things (cats excepted) from tomorrow when they open in Covent Garden tomorrow (King Street/Floral Street). Can’t wait to see the new store myself next week. Business as usual by the water meadows in Richmond of course – I hope this gallery gives you a taste of what’s on offer and the […]

Categories: Cottage Garden, Cutting Garden, Dahlias, David Austin roses, Fragrant plants, herbaceous, House plants, Hydrangea, Indoor gardening, late summer border, Open to the public, Organic Gardening, Petersham Nurseries, Plants for a shady garden?, plants for roses, Roses, Seasonal colour, Summer garden, White Garden • Tags: Covent Garden, Petersham Nurseries, Richmond

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A few things that caught my eye today – a little tour of Petersham Nurseries on the longest Day of the Year

June 21, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

No captions this time – far too hot to be bothering with detail like that I’d say – but a few images from a post-lunch ten minute trot through the Nurseries, the Cutting Garden and plant benches. All quite colourful I think you’ll agree (and of course, I can take a lot of pictures in ten minutes…) Bakingly hot of course today, another day well into the 30s, but set to cool a little tomorrow and in the days ahead. […]

Categories: Cutting Garden, David Austin roses, Fragrant plants, General comment, late summer border, Open to the public, Petersham Nurseries, Seasonal colour, Summer garden • Tags: Petersham Nurseries

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Postcards from Sussex – the extraordinary Arundel Castle and Gardens

June 17, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Shropshire, Wales, Oxforshire .. we are putting in the miles together! But the last leg is in Sussex in the beautiful town of Arundel – which is presided over and looked down upon by the rather spectacular Arundel Caste. Part genuine medieval fortification and part Gothik 19th Century confection – it truly is an amazing building. Each room left me more slack-jawed than the last and there were a lot of rooms. I urge you. Go! The entire top of […]

Categories: General comment, Open to the public • Tags: Arundel Castle, Arundel Castle Gardens, Bannerman, Climping, National Trust, Slindon Eastate, Sussex

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Postcards from Oxfordshire – Woodstock and Blenheim Palace

June 16, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Wending our way southwards, down the M40 and a stop-over in Woodstock, the charming little town next to Blenheim Palace. The sun continued to kiss our happy little heads as we trailed around the extensive park and formal gardens. Breathtaking, as always. Read more at http://www.blenheimpalace.com/ I finish off with a quick tour of Daylesford Organic in Kingham, a little to the north of Woodstock. Organic food and products but presented in such a stylish way. The whole place smelled […]

Categories: General comment, Open to the public • Tags: Blenheim Palace, Daylesford Organic, Oxfordshire, Woodstock

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Postcards from Oxfordshire – Jacobean Chastleton House

June 16, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

A sleeping country gentleman’s house this, nothing aristocratic but beautifully preserved – preserved just enough but not restored – the dust and cracked plaster are still there to see – and the decline of centuries is an open book. The poverty of the estate has become its greatest asset, where other properties’ wealth may have remodelled and rebuilt over the original, this is all here still to see, a Jacobean country Manor. ‘Poverty is a great preserver’ – Barbara Clutton-Brock, […]

Categories: General comment, Open to the public • Tags: Chastleton House, Jacobean, National Trust, Oxfordshire

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Postcards from Shropshire – Part 6 and a final look at David Austin Roses (including roses in containers)

June 15, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

The Patio Garden Our patio garden features English specimen roses in a variety of large, decorative terracotta planters. English Roses, with their gracefully rounded, shrubby growth, are ideal for growing in this way. They bring character and interest to the gravelled area around the Plant Centre and their beautiful, deliciously fragrant flowers can be easily enjoyed at close quarters. A final roundup from my brief visit to David Austin Roses in Albrighton – believe me I could have spent […]

Categories: David Austin roses, General comment, Open to the public, Roses • Tags: Albrighton, David Austin, David Austin Roses, potted roses, roses, roses in containers

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Postcards from Shropshire – Chapter 5 from David Austin Roses – The Lion Garden

June 14, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

The Lion Garden The Lion Garden has been redesigned and the sculpture moved to create a focal point. Four long borders mingle shrub roses, including many English Roses, with herbaceous perennials, creating a wonderful contrast of colour, form, texture and scent. The borders are punctuated by magnificent standard roses, which add height and structure to the garden. Perennials, climbers, arches, standard roses, crisp lawns and a bright blue sky. Keen viewers will notice I did step away from this garden […]

Categories: David Austin roses, General comment, Open to the public, Roses • Tags: Albrighton, David Austin Roses, Lion Garden, roses

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Postcards from Shropshire – a fourth helping from David Austin Roses (stay with me folks…)

June 14, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

The Renaissance Garden The National Collection of English Roses is held in the gardens at Albrighton. The Renaissance Garden is perhaps the most beautiful of all the gardens, and is devoted to English Roses. These roses start flowering in late May and continue right through to the frosts of early winter. This lovely garden demonstrates the great versatility of the English Roses, with their wide range of flowers and fragrances, habits and sizes. The adjoining pergola too with a view […]

Categories: David Austin roses, General comment, Open to the public, Roses • Tags: Albrighton, David Austin Roses, roses

Postcards from Shropshire – third helpings from David Austin Roses

June 13, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

A return through the Long Garden – the unusual feature of these photographs is of course the sunshine and blue skies – the Divine smiling on these roses and me, a humble if enthusiastically photographing acolyte … The Long Garden The Long Garden forms the central core of the rose garden, with the other gardens leading from it. It contains our collection of old roses, which generally flower once in early summer. The Long Garden also includes modern shrub roses and […]

Categories: David Austin roses, Open to the public, Roses • Tags: Albrighton, David Austin Roses, Long Garden, roses

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Postcards from Shropshire – Seconds from David Austin Roses

June 13, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Like I said, an Inventory … The Victorian Walled Garden The Victorian Walled Garden is a formal garden made up of three circular borders, which diminish in width towards the centre. They are planted with English Roses and other repeat-flowering shrub roses. The focal point of the garden is the large central stone carving. Visitors can also admire the natural beauty of the English Climbers and Ramblers trained over arches, arbours and along the eight foot wall which encircles the garden. […]

Categories: David Austin roses, General comment, Open to the public, Roses • Tags: Albrighton, David Austin, David Austin Roses, roses, Shropshire

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Postcards from Shropshire – a first gallery from David Austin Roses at Albrighton

June 12, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

A first look at the Long Garden, mostly, at the eponymous gardens at Albrighton – just a short drive from our base near Shrewsbury and a beautiful, inspirational stop-over on our way to Woodstock. I realised of course today that I have effectively inventories the gardens, as I might once have done to a flat or house – in my previous incarnation as a Letting Agent – expansive view, closer, close-up – repeat. These then are galleries for the rose-geek, […]

Categories: David Austin roses, Open to the public, Roses • Tags: Albrighton, David Austin, David Austin Roses, Rose Gardens, roses

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Postcards from Wales – Chirk Castle

June 12, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Another Welsh Castle, this time quite the fortified beast, with a dungeon that surely brought despair to anyone unhappy enough to find themselves there. Much to enjoy in the gardens though with formal and more naturalistic planting and long views – and glad to have been able to take photographs of the interiors too. Read more about this medieval behemoth … https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chirk_Castle https://www.chirk.com/castle.html https://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/wales/item/chirk-castle-gardens.html While in the area, I popped into the Derwen Garden Centre, where there are a […]

Categories: Open to the public • Tags: Chirk Castle, Lake Vrynwy, National Trust, Wales

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Postcards from Wales – Erddig

June 12, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Erddig, now in the hands of the National Trust, represents a House and Estate that had suffered successive generations (seven or more) of penury and all of the neglect that comes with well-intentioned but financially improverished ownership. Good intentions but lack of funds saw this beauty diminished until the NT took the helm and have halted the decline, but not necessarily to return the interiors, now watertight, to their former glory. The story of the family is the story of […]

Categories: General comment, Open to the public • Tags: Country Garden Roses, Erddig, National Trust, Shropshire, Wales

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Postcards from Wales – Powis Castle and Gardens

June 11, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Strong winds and lashing rain as we left Shropshire and headed into Wales (by Welshpool – not that great a distance from our starting point at Wollaston Lodge) to visit the extraordinary castle and gardens at Powis Castle. More impressive than I was expecting too – the topiary and towering hedges yes, but not the variety and lushness – and tenderness – of much of the planting on the wide, generous terraces, giving way to formal gardens on the flat […]

Categories: General comment, Open to the public • Tags: National Trust, Powis Castle, Powis Castle Gardens, Wales

Postcards from Shropshire – Attingham Park

June 11, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Continuing our tour of the Shropshire countryside and making good use of our National Trust membership, next stop Attingham Park. Bringing a Regency mansion back to life, the National Trust have saved, conserved and then breathed new life into this house, the interiors and estate. A magical set of rooms inside the House – Upstairs and Downstairs – though the grounds, albeit much improved after decades of neglect, and clearly much work has been done, are a little less than […]

Categories: Open to the public • Tags: Attingham Park, Shropshire

Postcards from Shropshire – Wollerton Old Hall Gardens

June 11, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Well it has been a busy week – holidaying in the English & Welsh countryside, with sunshine and rain in equal parts and some beautiful castles, gardens, nurseries and stately homes to keep us company. Based for the the first part of this last week near Shrewsbury in Shropshire (the excellent Wollaston Lodge B&B http://www.wollastonlodge.co.uk/ ) we took in Wollerton Old Hall Gardens on our first day – and my photographs of this exceptional gardens are above. Coming up – our […]

Categories: Garden Design, General comment, Open to the public • Tags: Market Drayton, Shropshire, Shropshire Gardens, Wollerton Old Hall, Wollerton Old Hall Gardens

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Gardens Open Day on Ham Common

May 21, 2017 by The Teddington Gardener

Gardens Open Days are a delight, an opportunity to visit private gardens, all within a pleasant stroll of one another, representing a diverse collection of garden styles – gardens from (very) large and grand to postage stamp and intimate – attached to properties many centuries old or with just a couple of years under their belt. All that, served up with tea and homemade cakes. Excellent organisation today with friendly guides plus garden ambassadors from Grey Court School on hand. […]

Categories: Open to the public • Tags: Ham Common, Open Gardens, The Ham and Petersham Association

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