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Iford Manor (Bradford-on-Avon, England) Part 1

At the end of our trip (after seeing almost 30 gardens), our tour director, Bruce, asked us to give him a list of our top 5 favorite gardens. I had to think awhile for my 3-5 choices, but I immediately knew that my top two were Tresco Abbey (which I have not covered yet) and this one - Iford Manor. For the #1 spot, I go back and forth, but after being home for a few months, Iford Manor brings me my most pleasant memory.  Actually, the two gardens are similar in style (Italianate). Since I'm doing these in order, it will be some time before I get to Tresco Abbey.  First, a little about the house. The property was once home to a wool factory and dates back to the Domesday book (1086). The present house was built around 1720. The house overlooks the Frome valley with a small river flowing in front.  We began our tour on this bridge where we met the Lord of the manor - Just kidding - the owner is William Cartwright-Hignett. That is him in the center of this photo with our gro...
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My favorite tree in Florence



Every year I look forward to seeing this tree change color. It is located on Pine Street next to an architect's office and just one block from the campus where I work. It always has the most intense color I've ever seen. As I was lamenting the fact earlier that there wasn't much fall color yet, this tree seemed to turn overnight. There still isn't a lot of color (you can see that from the surrounding trees in the photo) but I'm happy that the most beautiful tree is spectacular as usual.
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  1. GrannaOctober 23, 2009 at 5:50 PM

    It is a gorgeous tree. Not much color here in Tupelo either. I was in Florence last weekend...had lunch at Ricotoni's. It's very good!

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  2. LesOctober 23, 2009 at 6:08 PM

    Seems overnight here that the dogwoods have reddened and the crape myrtles have become quite spectacular this year.

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  3. F CameronOctober 23, 2009 at 6:42 PM

    It is a gorgeous tree!

    I noticed the same thing here today, too. Yesterday, no fall color. Today, it is cranking up!

    Cameron

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  4. How It GrowsOctober 23, 2009 at 7:33 PM

    Sugar maple?

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  5. CarolOctober 23, 2009 at 8:01 PM

    What a beautiful color... Sugar Maples need to have colder temps than what you get there... but what is the name of the tree Phillip? Carol

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  6. Tatyana@MySecretGardenOctober 23, 2009 at 9:26 PM

    I like the carpet of golden leaves under the tree.

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  7. GailOctober 24, 2009 at 4:47 AM

    Phillip, It is a beautiful~~I am waiting for a stand of them (neighboring street) to look as good as your favorite tree. gail

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  8. sweetbayOctober 24, 2009 at 5:15 AM

    That is a gorgeous tree. The leaves are starting to turn here. Red maples can't substitute for Sugar Maples but they're still beautiful.

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  9. JanOctober 24, 2009 at 5:17 AM

    This tree is spectacular, Phillip. Here, we have no fall color - still no cold weather and too much rain makes plants think it is still late summer I guess.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  10. Lisa at GreenbowOctober 24, 2009 at 5:25 AM

    There are several old trees here in our town that I look forward to seeing during the fall color parade. One has been hacked on over the years so it avoids the power lines but in its contorted state it blazes with color each fall. Despite its being hacked it stands stately by the library.

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  11. Southern AspirationsOctober 24, 2009 at 5:59 AM

    Beautiful! Love the golden oranges.

    I thought of you yesterday- one of my trees just turned while I was out of town this week and it's such a happy fall tree now!!

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  12. Jim/ArtofGardeningOctober 24, 2009 at 11:09 AM

    That is a kick-ass tree. Even it's shape is lovely.

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  13. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)October 24, 2009 at 11:24 AM

    It's beautiful.

    Please can you send me that urn shown in your header pic?

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  14. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressOctober 24, 2009 at 4:45 PM

    That is a beautiful tree. Our trees are all at different stages. Some have changed and lost their leaves while others are still all green.

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  15. ShoalandaOctober 24, 2009 at 11:47 PM

    I drove by there this morning, but missed seeing the tree due to Trinity's bane & blessing sale--couldn't park. I'll have to drive by in the morning. It really felt like fall today--my favorite season!

    I know I'm a little prejudiced, but UNA has the most beautiful campus in the state.

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  16. Monica the Garden FaerieOctober 26, 2009 at 8:05 AM

    That is a nice tree. One of my neighbors across the street has a magnificent maple. It's more yellow-orange than red, but its hue (in person) is saturated and intense. It's awesome. I love fall!

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  17. Roses and LilacsOctober 26, 2009 at 8:31 AM

    Beautiful colors. Same here, leaves stayed green. Some trees just turned brown this year and never had much color. Then overnight our sugar maples turned that glorious gold with red blush. Along comes a storm and the leaves are on the ground.
    Marnie

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  18. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogOctober 26, 2009 at 6:46 PM

    That is sooooo nice. I've been noticing a sudden turn in tree colors as well. Slowly but very welcome. We finally got some sunshine and cool weather, so that was the ticket.

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  19. LolaOctober 27, 2009 at 6:58 PM

    That is a fantastic tree. Love that color.
    Not much going on here. We had rain this P.M. just before dark.

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  20. Sarah LaurenceOctober 28, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    It is a perfect tree! How lucky you are to have one in your neighborhood. We are just tipping past peak in Maine. I miss the maples already.

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  21. AnonymousOctober 29, 2009 at 8:40 AM

    I always thought that tree was beautiful, too! I also love the maples and crepe myrtles at Highland Baptist Church on Chisolm Rd at Pine St. in Florence. They are losing their leaves fast, now, but just a week ago the maples were the most deep, vibrant shade of red! You should check them out before they are all gone!

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