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The New Romantic Garden - a book review

The New Romantic Garden by Jo Thompson Rizzoli, 2025 Jo Thompson is a noted UK garden designer who has won numerous awards at RHS shows. Her style is the epitome of the "romantic English garden" idea - sumptuous borders packed with perennials in pastel colors, arches covered with roses, idyllic meadows and garden rooms. But what is the "new" romantic garden? Described as a fresh perspective of utilizing this lush gardening style into the present-day world, it places an emphasis on organic gardening, biodiversity, plant and soil health.  A scene from the author's own garden... Photo: Rachel Warne In this gorgeous book, Thompson showcases thirty of her gardens, all beautifully described and photographed.  From estate gardens to a London penthouse roof garden, they provide sumptuous eye-candy and inspiration. A peek inside... A London city garden filled with roses and iris (Photo: Jason Ingram) Writer Justine Picardie's garden in Norfolk evokes a feeling of a ...

A beauty of a bush

Aptly named - Beauty Bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) - I've always been puzzled as to why I never see it in nurseries or other gardens. This was one of the first shrubs planted in the garden so it has to be around 15 years old. 

The heat is ruining the blooms. The bottom photo is from last year when it was prettier.

 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Hi Phillip,

    It is vey beautiful! I heard about the heat you are experiencing. I am so sorry! I am praying all will be well with your beautiful garden soon.

    gerri XXXX

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  2. I tried to offer this years ago, but it was a very hard sell. In bloom I could, but during the other 50 weeks of the year, no way.

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  3. It sure does brighten the area. Have a nice day.

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  4. It is very pretty. I've never seen it for sale or grown here for that matter. Love yours and its blowsy way of showing itself.~~Dee

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  5. Even if it's an off year, it's a beauty, to be sure!

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  6. I saw beauty bush more when I lived in the south but rarely up here in northern VA. I love big, rambley blooming bushes. :o) Yours is gorgeous!

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  7. This is indeed a beauty. From a distance it reminds me of my Wedding bouquet Spirea. The heat has left here for the time being. Hopefully things will slow down so we can enjoy the rest of the early bloomers.

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