Stourhead (Wiltshire, England)
Stourhead is one of the most famous gardens in England. This massive estate includes a Palladian house and park-like garden (2300 acres!) that surrounds a huge man-made lake. It is one picture-perfect view after another. The expression "a living work of art" certainly applies here. Now, to my embarrassment, I missed some of the main features, including the house! I don't know how it happened, as I had a nourishing English-style breakfast, I wasn't under the influence of anything, and I even had a map of the premises. Looking at a map of the grounds of Stourhead now, I can see that the house is situated in an unusual location, removed from the main house and the visitor entrance. It is past the Stable Yard, which wasn't that interesting and I had turned around and headed back to the entrance and our bus (I had already walked around the lake and gardens). I regret that I missed the house. Henry Hoare II inherited Stourhead in 1717 when he was twenty. He built the...
That is a beautiful hydrangea. I love the deep blue.
ReplyDeleteThe color is beautiful. Nice, big blooms on a relatively compact plant.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Very nice specimen. I know that aluminum is necessary in the soil to produce blue pigment.
ReplyDeleteI really like these blue hydrangea. I did however see a really tacky display of them which left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm trying to get over it, but it's going to take some time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet plant. It looks like a baby Niko blue.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beauty dress in its blue. The compact shrub makes it very appealing for small gardens.
ReplyDeleteYou are torturing me with these gorgeous hydrangea blooms and vignettes! :-)
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I sure with I had more shady spaces for hydrangeas like that. Of course then I'd be providing a deer buffet...
ReplyDeleteYou sure have the touch with the Hydrangeas. The frilly petals are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe concrete steps would add alkalinity to the soil which would turn the blooms pink. That is our problem in So. Cal. with highly alkaline water, we can't get those beautiful blue bloom like you do. It is lovely!
ReplyDeleteYour hydrangea looks perfect by the steps and birdbath. I like hydrangeas planted along a path, so I can enjoy the blossoms close-up as I walk past. I am planning to add more hydrangeas to a path which already has several varieties. I will keep this one in mind!
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