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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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White beauties

If yellow is the predominant color of March, then white must be the star of the April garden. Although the yoshino cherries were short-lived, the dogwoods have been spectacular and long lasting. In addition to dogwoods, there are many other white flowering shrubs and trees in the April garden.

Here are some of the whites in our garden:



"Maureen" tulips - this is the only tulip I've ever grown that come back year after year. These tulips have been in the garden for over six years. You can see the "Lady Banks" rose in the background covering a portion of the garden wall.

Azalea "Delaware Valley White" growing next to "Crimson Queen" Japanese maple.






Climbing Raspberry (Rubus rosifolius 'Coronarius') - I love the blooms which are reminiscent of an old rose. A tendency to sucker and spread doesn't diminish my fondness for this beautiful plant.


Viburnum "Shasta", not as pretty as she used to be because of shadier conditions and tight quarters. This is a big shrub that needs lots of room. Last year I pruned off some dead growth which also affected the beautiful tiered growth.




Another large shrub that is happier in its spot is Viburnum macrocephalum (Chinese Snowball). More tall and vertical, it towers ten feet in the air and is covered with huge balls of bloom.



Despite the lack of rain, it is shaping up to be a beautiful spring. The temperatures have been cool (for the most part) and the garden is so lush this time of year.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. UnknownApril 19, 2010 at 6:07 PM

    You have such beautiful vignettes all over your garden! Even the old fashioned rambling rose looks so elegant!

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  2. AaerelonApril 19, 2010 at 6:09 PM

    I'm a huge fan of the viburnum. We had the snowballs at my house as a kid and my grandparents had dozens of them so they're another favourite.

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  3. serial tillerApril 19, 2010 at 6:18 PM

    You make white look so classy in the garden. Isn't it romantic at night too?

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowApril 19, 2010 at 6:43 PM

    You bet your garden is lush. It is gorgeous. I have a viburnum that looks a lot like your Shasta. It is called PT something or other.It blooms beautifully in the shade. I took a photo of it just the other evening trying to capture the way it lights up the dark corner it is in. Of course my camera didn't see what I saw. I have a baby snowball bush too. I can't wait until it is a towering 10 footer.

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  5. SheilaApril 19, 2010 at 6:46 PM

    Your garden looks so lovely with all the white, one of my favorite colors in the garden! You should be very proud!

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  6. F CameronApril 19, 2010 at 6:58 PM

    Your gardens are always so beautiful. A real charm about them.

    We have a raspberry to plant in a large container instead of the ground. It's been waiting for me for weeks while I'm out working on everything except containers!

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  7. Chandramouli SApril 19, 2010 at 10:52 PM

    Wonderful Whites! They've been ruling my garden for quite sometime now. I guess I could use some color here though.

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  8. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)April 19, 2010 at 11:04 PM

    Hi Phillip

    That statue works brilliantly just behind the tulips with lady banks in the background, what a shot!

    Love the viburnum 'shasta' and the azalea. I sometimes see azaleas as a bit 'in your face' in terms of solid colour but that one's a gem.

    Your snowball's out! It'll be a while yet before she blooms here. They're called 'boule de neige' in my neck of the woods.

    By the way, I read the short profile you did on Hyacinth bean in a Southern Garden which has prompted me to grow it this year.

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  9. AnonymousApril 20, 2010 at 3:27 AM

    Oh Phillip, with each post your garden beckons! It is the way a garden should be, like a dreamy experience of lushness with paths to meander. I am intrigued by the rubus, amazing large flowers just like a rose. Does it fruit?
    Frances

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  10. LesApril 20, 2010 at 4:19 AM

    I think late April gives us so many white flowers to contrast and calm the Azaleas. Several natives here are peaking with white flowers, Black Locust and Carolina Cherry Laurel.

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  11. Roses and LilacsApril 20, 2010 at 7:13 AM

    Hi Phillip, what I wouldn't give to be able to grow Lady Banks here. Blackberry rose too, but neither are hardy this far north.

    Your viburnum are lovely. They look wonderful there surrounded by the lush green foliage of other shrubs.
    Marnie

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  12. JenApril 20, 2010 at 8:59 AM

    lovely photos as always!

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  13. JanApril 20, 2010 at 2:36 PM

    I just love your white flowers. Everything looks so fresh.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  14. sweetbayApril 20, 2010 at 3:41 PM

    Beautiful Viburnums, and I love your Lady Banks rose!

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  15. SkeeterApril 20, 2010 at 4:06 PM

    Everything is looking so cheery and bright!

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  16. LarryApril 20, 2010 at 8:48 PM

    I do love your gardens... they must be a marvelous place to visit! I tried shasta a number of years ago, but we are milder now... I think it needs a second look! Larry

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  17. Annie in AustinApril 24, 2010 at 6:44 PM

    You've shown us that white-flowering shrubs can whisper spring and be heard just as well as a screaming red tulip ;-]

    Lovely scenes everywhere, Phillip - 'Maureen' and the snowball viburnum are making me nostalgic!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  18. BonnieMay 22, 2010 at 6:01 PM

    I'm jealous of your snowball bush. I bought one 5 years ago, but every year, by the middle of summer, the leaves have all been eaten. I finally found the critters who eat it and posted a picture on my blog to see if anyone can identify them. Insecticide isn't working. My grandmother had a very large snowball bush when I was growing up. My sister and I had a snowball fight one day with the flowers we could reach. Needless to say, we got in trouble. Sure had fun though. I fear I might have to get rid of mine.

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