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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...
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Hydrangea "Angel's Lace"



Another new line of hydrangeas is the "Halo" series. They were originally bred in Japan in the early 90s by Hiroshi Ebihara and later marketed in Europe as the "Frau" series. Now they are available here in the U.S. with names like "Angel Eyes" and "Angel Smile". We have "Angel's Lace" and it is quickly becoming one of our favorites.

Described as the first picoteed lacecap in the world (that is when the flower color has one basic color with a margin of another color), it is bred to be compact with sturdier limbs and larger flowers. It is marketed as being suitable for containers. It can grow to be 4 to 5 feet so it is certainly fine in the ground, as ours is. It is very hardy (to zone 6). So far, this has been a spectacular addition to the garden and one that I would highly recommend.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. GrannaJune 3, 2010 at 4:37 AM

    I love it!

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowJune 3, 2010 at 4:44 AM

    That bloom is unusual with the white edge around the bloom.

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  3. JenJune 3, 2010 at 5:17 AM

    does it have any fall color in the leaves?

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  4. BenJune 3, 2010 at 5:38 AM

    The white edge is awesome, and really makes the bloom pop

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  5. Dave@TheHomeGardenJune 3, 2010 at 5:58 AM

    Nice!

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  6. GinnyJune 3, 2010 at 6:01 AM

    It's beautiful. I adore hydrangeas and it's great to learn about these.

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  7. AnonymousJune 3, 2010 at 6:41 AM

    It's a keeper.

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  8. Roses and LilacsJune 3, 2010 at 7:10 AM

    Absolutely beautiful. What I wouldn't give to be able to grow lacecaps.
    Marnie

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  9. F CameronJune 3, 2010 at 2:34 PM

    Hot pink--love the 'halo' on the edges, too!

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  10. DavidJune 3, 2010 at 2:51 PM

    Absolutely stunning! Can't wait to see it in person.

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  11. KynaJune 4, 2010 at 6:40 AM

    I love picoteed flowers. That lacecap is so pretty!

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  12. Monica at Garden JunkiesJune 4, 2010 at 7:54 AM

    Hydrangeas are one of my favorite shrubs, mostly because of the gorgeous blooms. So it's nice to see a completely different look in a lacecap - that white edge sets off the bold pink beautifully. I bet it stands out in the garden like no other! Yet another plant I'll have to track down and add to the garden....

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  13. AnonymousJune 4, 2010 at 5:47 PM

    Phillip I have heard of this series but never saw them. Stunning!! Keep those hydrangea shots coming.
    Sandra

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  14. debsgardenJune 4, 2010 at 8:33 PM

    Beautiful! This is one i would like to add to my own garden. it is quite interesting.

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  15. compost in my shoeJune 4, 2010 at 9:20 PM

    And what about powdery mildew on the foliage. Many of these have major problems with this leaf problem.

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  16. WayneJune 5, 2010 at 7:37 PM

    Awesome! But of course........only zone 6. I'm barely a 5......

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  17. GailJune 6, 2010 at 4:16 AM

    Phillip, You are surely increasing the sale of hydrangeas everywhere! This one is stellar! gail

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  18. How It GrowsJune 6, 2010 at 7:14 PM

    Nice...I haven't seen that variety before.

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  19. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)June 7, 2010 at 8:27 AM

    The comments say it all. Beautiful shrub.

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  20. Roses and LilacsJune 7, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    Absolutely beautiful!!! Love the white outlines around the petals.
    Marnie

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  21. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressJune 7, 2010 at 5:05 PM

    It's beautiful, I love the color.

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  22. AnonymousJune 8, 2010 at 4:32 PM

    Okay Phillip, how long do we have to wait for more hydrangeas?

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  23. Chandramouli SJune 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM

    Whoa! I never knew Hydrangeas come in so many colors! I learnt a lot about them from your posts on Hydrangeas. Thank you :)

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