Skip to main content

Featured

Bourton House

Located in the village of Burton-on-the-Hill, in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, Bourton House is an eighteenth-century manor house with a sixteenth-century Tithe Barn. It is surrounded by a three-acre garden and a seven-acre walled pasture that is now planted with specimen trees. The Jacobean-style house was originally built in 1598 and was shortly thereafter purchased by the wealthy London lawyer Sir Nicholas Overbury. There is a dark history involving Overbury's son, which includes adultery and murder. It is quite a convoluted story, and I don't believe any of the shady dealings actually took place at Bourton House. You can read the story here and decide for yourself. An interesting note about these manor houses and gardens is that the front of the houses usually faced the back of the property. At least that was the case with Hidcote and Kiftsgate . The same here with Bourton House, where the entrance to the property (right next to a busy street) contained a litt...

Back to the garden

I was away only three days and I could not believe how everything had greened up so fast. There is so much to do in the garden that I wasn't sure where to begin. I still haven't pruned all the roses and I finally cut back the mondo grass today. I also got the urn fountain out and set up and cleaned up the vegetable garden. I also did some much needed weeding. After supper, I took some photos.

This is an unidentified camellia with big pink blooms -



Camellia "C.M. Wilson"



Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)



Harry Lauder's Walking Stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta')



Daffodils among unpruned roses and uncut grass - lots of work to do!



And this is my favorite at the moment. Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana 'Rustica Rubra') which has never been more beautiful than it is this year.













Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. The saucer magnolia is truly droolworthy. I may find the will to try again! I just got around to fertilizing my roses today. You wouldn't believe how my little sticks I rooted have turned into nice little bushes in 2 yrs. Can't wait to post pics later.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Seems like many parts of the country are having a good year for Magnolias. I got half the yard ready for spring last weekend, but am now working 6 days a week. The backyard will get it someday.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can see why the saucer magnolia is your favorite right now...She's a beauty. Phillip, I think your garden looks lovely~gail

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love your photos today Philip... is that soulangiana a 'rustica rubra'? It certainly is beautiful, along with everything else on your site! Larry

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gorgeous!!! Your saucer magnolia is fantastic. As are the camelias. I was traveling back-to-back for four weeks and was amazed when I took the time to walk the yard this past weekend and see the daylilies popping up, weeping willow turning green, and of course, weeds everywhere. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Philip,
    That walking stick is unbelievably beautiful! Those saucer magnolias are wow, so much colr. Of course the camellias are nice too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Saucer Magnolia is gorgeous. Ours is just showing those pink buds. After seeing yours I can't wait until it blooms. Spring has certainly sprung in your garden. Those camillias are so pretty to me. I wish we could grow them.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful! Everything really popped all of the sudden this year, didn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh that magnolia is a beauty, Phillip, as are your photos of it and everything else. The weeds are going crazy here, making up for the lost growing time during the long cold winter I suppose. It is a mad effort to get that bitter cress pulled before the seeds are thrown, nearly impossible. Oh well. Harry L. is otherworldly, love those catkins. :-)
    Frances

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh Phillip, Your photos are stunning but how could they not be! You have so many magical corners in your garden. Lovely magnolias and your walking stick is gorgeous. Beautiful light! Your shot with the bench and Camellia is a winner! Happy Gardening! Carol

    ReplyDelete
  11. Especially love the star magnolia!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh I so LOVE your garden! Don't worry, I know you'll get around to all those chores.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful photos! I'm so jealous because I can't grow camellias.
    Marnie

    ReplyDelete
  14. It looks like your garden is coming back to life. That saucer magnolia...is...magnificent! And, the camellias add a lot of color to a winter weary garden.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your garden always looks magical to me!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am glad you were able to get out and work in the garden. Lately It seems like every time I have a day off from my job, the sky pours buckets of rain — like today! Your garden is really coming alive. I agree that the saucer magnolia is magnificent.

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's sooo not fair you have so much life in your garden, and I'm still waiting. but your yard is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gorgeous magnolia and spring certainly seems to have made it to your garden.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Messy or not your garden is just beautiful I just love your focal points. Thanks for sharing it all with us.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wonderful images. Your garden looks beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Phillip, I am absolutely enjoying your pictures of magnolias and camelia. So beautiful! You are a great photographer! The picture with a bench is charming!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts