The first four pics are at Hanham Court, the last four at Coughton Court.
Over
the last week or two I've had the pleasure of visiting some great
gardens with my private guests all of which are fairly recent creations
and all quintessentially English..the gardens that is ! Coughton Court ,
a National Trust property in Warwickshire has enjoyed quite a bit of
restoration and is now a really lovely place. No doubt the time of year
helps a lot..shrub and English roses feature heavily ,especially in the
walled garden along with perennials all sympathetic to the colours of
the roses.
What I also enjoyed was the styling of the
gardens ..very sympathetic to the buildings ..non-intrusive and yet
utilizing modern plants. Some gardens that have been designed recently
are so design intense and precious it is exhausting to walk around
them..this place didnt give thst feeling .It fitted like a well cut
jacket.
The other place is Hanham Court , just south of
Bristol and the home of Julian & Isobel Bannerman, garden designers
to some distinguished clients, judging by their website. Another recent
creation with some amusing quirky bits here and there, the balance of
space with flower beds is excellent and the colours of flowers are
brilliantly manipulated, quite disciplined but to my mind with excellent
and restrained taste. They are not afraid of mixing plants together
,-lilies, sweet william and paeonias for example, getting away from the
group planting so often used in landscaping, which I reckon is more like
'splodge' planting.
I've said enough..get over to these places and check them out ! You'll have a good day.