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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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Chrysanthemum "Ryan Gainey"

This plant used to reside next to the walk near the front door but it suffered from too much shade. After the debacle with the cryptomeria, I had more room and moved it here. The additional sun has helped tremendously and it is loaded with blooms and the stems are not stretching for the sun rays.





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. DarlaOctober 25, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    Beautiful! They do like their vitamin D.

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  2. UnknownOctober 25, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    It seems really happy there. Plants look sooo much better without lanky flower stems.

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  3. Peggy HillOctober 25, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    I know you were sorry to see that big cryptomeria go, but there is always a silver lining.

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  4. GailOctober 25, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    Phillip, I have Ryan Gainey and love the yellow. Your stand looks lovely. gail

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  5. Lisa at GreenbowOctober 26, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    Beautiful blooms. I am glad you found just the right spot for it.

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  6. rebeccaOctober 27, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Gorgeous!

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  7. CarolOctober 28, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Beautiful portrait Phillip. How fun to see Ryan immortalized in a flower. It is amazing to see how far reaching his roots have become over the years. I love the many multi petaled composites. I should love to have him in my garden . . . I wonder if it is hardy here.

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  8. InstantSandbagsNovember 7, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    Those are lovely blooms. It must have taken love for those plants to produce such amazing flowering. However, with the unpredictable weather those plants should be protected at all cost and one of the best way is to protect it though an instant sandbags should there strong torrential rain that can flood the your flower beds.

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