Kiftsgate Court Gardens
Just right down the road from Hidcote is Kiftsgate Court Gardens. This garden was created by Heather Muir beginning in the 1920s. Muir's daughter, Diany Binny, came to live at Kiftsgate in 1954. She would add the half-moon pool and redesigned the white garden. She also first opened the garden to the public. Today, the tradition continues as granddaughter Anne Chambers and her husband maintain the gardens. Heather Muir was a friend and neighbor of Hidcote's Lawrence Johnston (their houses are within one mile of each other), and he inspired her in the garden's design. However, the two gardens differ in character and have their own unique characteristics. While Johnston's garden is laid out in strict geometric lines, Muir took a more naturalistic approach. Muir added many heirloom shrub roses to the garden and is famous for the 'Kiftsgate' rose, which occurred from a seedling in the garden. Unfortunately, we were too early for the roses. There were a few like t...
Although we do not grow our own, the local ones have been great this year. The last two my wife got nearly ran us out of the house, the smell was so intense.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Phillip! Better luck with the watermelons next year...
ReplyDeleteCantaloupes are finished here in the farm fields. This one looks perfect. We have the same situation here, in that I like watermelon and my DB likes cantaloupe best. I hope you have better luck next year with your watermelons.
ReplyDeleteNone of our watermelons made, either. The one baby succumbed to blossom end rot. We did get a glorious cantaloupe, though; lucky you to have two! Definitely need more vines next year.
ReplyDeleteWe've had good cantaloupes too. If you smell it, it's ripe. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWe haven't tried to grow our own cantaloupes yet but the one we bought at our market this week was as big as a watermelon and tasted so good!
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