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Iford Manor (Part 2)

(Continued from Part 1) ... I knew that Iford Manor was my kind of garden when I saw the statue of "Dying Gaul" perched on top of a wall. We can't afford one for our garden but we do have a little version inside the house - The garden continues uphill with areas that are naturalized as well as manicured  -  A very theatrical area with some of the statuary from Peto's travels - Peto loved curved benches. In addition to Italian gardens, he was influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement. Some think that his love of curved benches came from the paintings of Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Some copies of his works were found in Peto's files - "Expectations" by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema Small buildings also dotted the landscape - The largest building was the cloister which housed more of his classical treasures - There is even a Japanese garden - Various pathways and woodland trails led to a road above the gardens. This set of stairs was roped off, but there were more ...

Finding bargains

I felt like I hit the jackpot this morning when I drove by Home Depot and noticed some very nice boxwood topiaries outside the front entrance with a markdown sign in front of them. Upon further inspection, they were only $5.97 (the salesgirl said the original price was $44.00!). I snatched up all four of them. Two are green and the other two were variegated.  One was even in a nice faux-terra-cotta container. One of the green ones was a tad lop-sided but other than that, I didn't see anything wrong with them.


I potted the green ones in the containers outside the front door and put the variegated ones on the patio. Made my day!





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Did they explain why they wanted to get rid of then so cheaply?

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  2. That is a really great deal and they look great!

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  3. Lucy, no but it is common for both Lowe's and Home Depot to make things down to get rid of them. It is usually at the end of the season when they are making room for new plants.

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  4. Awesome!! I once scored a sale at Lowe's where every perennial was $1. I was in heaven!! Bonus good luck on the free pot. :o) Happiness for you!

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  5. haha! I saw a similar boxwood deal today, and while I had to go home to 'think' on it, I think I need me some buxus too!

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  6. Phillip,

    Good find. You might even get a better deal behind the store. I find tossed out plants often at one of our HDs. A few years ago I got 3 -1 gallon camellias for $10.

    oh this word verification is awful.

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  7. You lucky duck. What a snag. I love those varigated shrubs and of course you can't beat a green boxwood.

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  8. I love a good bargain and this is an amazing one! Good find!

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  9. I worked at a HD competitor that is no longer in business. My boss told be to throw out all of the Japanese Maples because the leaves had come off and he needed the room for Christmas trees. I asked if I could have a few to try and "re-vive" them, and I got 3 for $5.

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  10. Great find. I got almost $200 of skypencils, rhodo, gardenia & Encores for a little over $18 at Lowe's last fall. Since I'd just had knee surgery I put them in my greenhouse. I found out field rats love gardenia's. Hopefully those nubs will come back out. Mary

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  11. They needed your loving touch! A good end to the weekend for you and the boxwoods!

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  12. Excellent bargins! They look great and I think you made good choices.

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