Turn left. Go 2.6 miles on to Upton Grey and turn right at the village pond. Go a quarter of a mile up the hill, passing the church on your right, and the Manor House drive is just beyond that, on your right, on a sharp bend. And so ended another nail biting, spouse cursing trip through the English country side.
There is so much to speak of in this final and favourite garden of our 2014 trip. For now I'll tell you the three best things that stole my heart away.
First, I finally understood, Gertrude Jekyll’s famous graded colour schemes. As I looked across the formal lawn to the borders the colours shimmered like jewels causing a visual shock of exquisite pleasure. No picture can possibly do them justice. You will just have to put Upton Grey Manor on your bucket list.
Secondly, I met Rosamund Wallinger, the saviour of this garden and had two delightfully energetic, thoughtful and generous conversations with her, She bought the 5 acre property in 1984. While doing research for the restoration of the house it dawned on her that the neglected mess outside the windows was a possible treasure. Eventually she was able to obtain the original designs from California. Although never having gardened before she set out on a 35 year, and continuing, odyssey of returning the gardens to their original Gertrude Jekyll plan.
The garden, as planned, is there in its entirety. The hardscaping of walls and ditches and steps remained beneath the weeds and no parts of the property had been sold off.
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| the pond in the wild garden-often the wild gardens are at the end of the property and get parcelled off, fortunately and unusually, the wild garden here is at the front. |
Thirdly, I got to see the plans! Photocopies of course, the originals remain at the University of California,Berkeley. Hand written, crossings out, margin notes, smudges, more than enough for me to weep with joy. I really need seeing to, fortunately only my husband and Ros were there and they politely ignored me or perhaps in Ros's case she is used to dotty middle aged ladies going ga-ga. By the way, included in the ridiculously low entrance fee is a full planting list!
I have to pinch myself sometimes to believe I was actually there.
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| Moi having a rest in the wild garden |
Wow! I've seen this garden on tv, but it looks even more impressive in your pictures. That second picture takes my breath away. I can certainly see why it was your favourite.
ReplyDeleteThe jewel tones of the borders were amazing. Tons of roses too.
DeleteWhat a thrill that must have been. Did you find some new plants that you could incorporate into your own gardens.
ReplyDeleteI love your first paragraph. I can relate very well with that scenario.
I'm going to seek out some of the roses. Hybrid tea 'Killarney' is quite rare now but well known when GK was designing the garden. I always say I like seeing other places, I just don't enjoy getting there.
DeleteYou really do have to see gardens in person - besides the colors, there is the panorama of it all - the sounds and the smells. What a beautiful place!! And how wonderful that someone dedicated so much time and effort to bring it back.
ReplyDeleteThis garden was a very comfortable place. It had been designed for the enjoyment of the owners and not for show or research or to make a grand statement. I always notice bird song and the buzzing of pollinators, it is like a seal of approval.
DeleteLucky lucky you!! How incredible to be there and to talk to Rosamund! My hubs would have had to drag me out. The phacelia I grew from the seeds you sent has survived the winter and is already full of growth while its slacker neighbors are sound asleep. I already love that plant!
ReplyDeleteOh there was some whining about having to leave. I planted some phacelia and none came up. I gave the seed provider the cold shoulder last week at Seedy Saturday. Perhaps I was hasty. I still have some seeds so I'll have another go.
DeleteOH MY GOODNESS! I have to pinch myself just to get my mouth off the floor! This garden....where do I begin! Those shots of the stone walk up with the plants billowing over the edges has inspired me for an area in my garden! Just amazing beds with the most stunning combinations! Thank you for sharing my friend! Nicole xo And that shot of you at the end is perfect!
ReplyDeleteOld stone walls get me every time. Look forward to seeing what you do.
DeleteYears ago I visited this garden with our gardenclub, I was impressed and I still am thrilled about it when I see your wonderful pictures. And.......you have even spoken to Rosamund, must have been the time of your life.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Janneke
There is so much I left out, like the orchard and tennis lawn and rose beds..... If you were to choose another garden with a similar feel/style what would it be?
DeleteUtterly amazing indeed ... I would be endlessly pinching myself as well .. to see the original plans ... to talk to to Rosamund the savoir of the gardens .. well another gardener's dreams come true !
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are gorgeous and convey a sense of the grand dame herself !
You were one lucky gardener to soak this all in : )
Joy .. yes that shot of you at the end was perfect !
I need the last photo to remind me it wasn't all a dream.
DeleteSusan what a fabulous trip and garden....and the original plans....oh my what a wonderful gardener to restore this treasure.
ReplyDeleteOh to have been born with the energy Rosamund exudes. She is absolutely down in the trenches digging, weeding and generally getting things done. She has one professional employee. He told me his children grew up in the garden. How wonderful for them.
DeleteI like wild gardens much better than manicured ones. Maybe that's why I haven't tried to do anything to our hillside. - Margy
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous garden.. great photos. I love gardens like this, so much better than formal gardens :o)
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