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 ...
When I was a small child, my grandmother had one in her garden. I was fascinated with the golden carnation like flowers. So of course, when I started gardening, I had to have one. Unfortunately, I'm on the edge of it's zone, and most years the branches don't make it through the winter, even though it regrows from the base. So no flowers since it blooms on old wood. But I keep trying and this year due to the mild winter we had, it is nice and green and I should get a bounty of flowers for once. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh I want one.
ReplyDeleteKerria is so beautiful right now and your photo is stunning. I just don't have the right spot to grow it.
ReplyDeleteI have this beauty too. I think once it is established you can't kill it and as you say it is so reliable. Mine blooms profusely during the early spring. After that it blooms sporatically until frost I almost always have a few blooms to add to an arrangement.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. When we were kids we had an almond bush. I just loved the pink rose like flowers. I now have a couple and saved a bridal wreath spirea from an old home site. I need to add this to my have list. Mary
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous shrub! I like that yours is planted in front of a dark fence, better to show off the lovely blooms.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Kerria fan too. Yours looks totally happy!
ReplyDeleteI have this shrub and love it....and wish that it were more commercially available. It's so much nicer in the garden that forsythia!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and great photos too. :)
ReplyDeleteI love it. Looks orange-ier than I expect when I think of Kerria.
ReplyDelete