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...
Beautiful, just beautiful. As long as there's no frost or freezes, the rain and cool keep blossoms from blasting before they're finished. I love when we burst from almost nothing to everything in bloom at once.
ReplyDeleteSpring has definitely sprung for you! You are ahead of us here in Lincolnshire, Uk, as our Magnolias are not out yet, nor are the Epimediums. What delicate little flowers they are.The magnolia is a lovely rich colour too. We have had some spring like days, but it has felt like winter again today - so frustrating, as all I want to do is get outside and garden!
ReplyDeleteVery jealous of your beautiful spring blooms... And wondering if the Jacob's ladder could be hardy here...
ReplyDeleteGoodness, your garden is so far ahead of mine. I have a few daffs and Hellebores blooming. Love that cherry tree. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely and delicate blooms
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful when your garden wakes up from winter? We've had an especially nasty winter, so spring has never been more welcome. Only trouble is, winter came back! Is this your new garden? I seem to remember you selling your old house? I'm sure it was hard to leave, but oh so much fun to start over!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't spring just make you smile? Everything in my yard is looking great, with the exception of the Buff Beauty rose I purchased last year.
ReplyDelete:( I'm so sad, it is still just a baby plant, and it had struggled with blackspot last year. It was looking great, and putting out new leaves, and something came by and munched in in half! There's only one set of new leaves left, and I'm hoping it will send up new growth. I was so hoping it would get settled and take off this year.
Wow. Your epimediums look FANTASTIC!
ReplyDelete>jealous<
I've had a small clump in the garden for a couple of years, but have never seen them flower. No new growth yet on my epimediums in Middle TN, but your photos give me hope I may at least see some fresh foliage soon.
We were down in the lower 20s (!) this past weekend. I don't have a saucer magnolia myself, but I know of a couple in the neighborhood (including at least one in my neighbor's yard) and all the flowers on it seem to have been fried. So it looks like saucer magnolia is a risky proposition here given the potential for warm spring temps (70s last week) followed by hard freezes.
Happy Spring!
Wow! What a change from last month! I am so glad spring is here. The Yoshino cherry is wonderful! I do not have one of these great trees, but every spring I want one. After seeing Taylor's Perfection on your blog a few years ago, I bought one. I have been very pleased with its flower production, even as a young shrub. I also love my epimediums! They are a great ground cover in the woodland garden.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the difference from your post of a month ago! The snow has well and truly gone and left a host of blooms in its wake. Oddly, your garden is ahead of mine, despite all your snow. I haven't seen any magnolias out anywhere yet, and yours are opening nicely.
ReplyDeleteThings are in a similar state here, thank God!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see Taylor's Perfection on your blog I think I have to have it. lol It's beautiful. The Yoshino cherry is gorgeous.
ReplyDelete