If I were asked to explain how I approach gardening, I would simply say that it’s all about LOOKING, LEARNING, and DOING. But we know there’s more to it, right? Continue reading
It’s about interacting with gardens and landscape.
I have to admit some frustration when I hear people wishing the winter away. Weather can wreak havoc with so many things like the daily commute, or weekend getaway, and can seriously delay schedules for one thing or another – I get that. Continue reading
Even the strongest, most resilient tree…
Trees are solid, unmoving, resilient, and seemingly ever present.
Trees ask Continue reading
It’s Snowdrop Time!
Thought I’d assemble a quickie post for those who enjoy a snowdrop or two at this time of year… And for those who might think a snowdrop, is a snowdrop, is a snowdrop!
Where is Your Inspiration Destination?
I was asked a question last week which set me thinking; where outside of my workplace would I head to for inspiration?
Well I have to say that I do work in an inspiring place. It’s an art gallery and museum, and a real hive of activity and creativity. It is situated in a shallow, sculpted valley with a ribbon of water through its middle, and the surrounding hills are cloaked by farms and woodland.
‘Capability’ Brown’s classical bridge in the landscape at Compton Verney. © Gary WebbIn its midst sit a cluster of strong, mellow toned stone buildings commissioned by a wealthy Lord; all linked with renowned architects of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The venue is sprinkled with native and exotic plants and is a wildlife haven, playing host to a wide range of birds, badgers and rare bats; even visiting deer and otters add to the scene.
After-all said and done though, Continue reading
Christmas – Decoration Inspiration at Baddesley Clinton.
I enjoyed a little outing to an NT property yesterday called Baddesley Clinton, near Warwick. It was a blustery, cold rainy day, and not ideal for my usual garden stroll around the moat and fish pools. On this occasion however, it was another feature that triggered the visit – Christmas decorations, to be precise, and lots of them!
Reading the Landscape
Although a long time follower of ‘Capability’ Brown, I moved my focus recently to the first ‘official’ landscape gardener Humphry Repton. This may be a temporary flight of fancy, who knows, it has certainly opened my eyes though to some new ways of talking about and experiencing designed landscape. Here’s what happened…
My shift of focus was to contribute to a Gardens Trust project titled ‘Sharing Repton’. As with Repton’s approach, the Garden Trust’s ambition for this project is no less striking or far reaching, and won substantial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund earlier this year.
Firstly and for the uninitiated, Continue reading
Beningbrough Hall, Gardens & Gallery
I don’t review or write about garden visits very often, but with a little time away last week I was able to explore some new gardens, and this particular property was so good I couldn’t wait to post some pictures and tell you about it!
It is of course the beautiful Beningbrough Hall in North Yorkshire, which has been cared for by the National Trust since 1958.
This venue goes a few steps further however, offering for our entertainment a partnership with the National Portrait Gallery no less. Continue reading
Garden Blogging
What a weird and wonderfully trying winter and early spring season we gardeners have enjoyed, endured and experienced. I have to say that it was so good earlier this week to walk in the first real sunshine of the year and to get the first real hint of warmth from the sun.
Phone cameras Continue reading
Gardening Ways 