Coleton Fishacre (Devon, England)
Coleton Fishacre was in my top 5 gardens on the tour. This Arts & Crafts style house and garden was the country home of Rupert D'Oyly Carte and his wife Lady Dorothy Carte. He was the well-known theater owner (The Savoy) and producer (Gilbert & Sullivan). They spotted the property from their yacht and thought it would be a great spot for a country home and garden. Ah, to have that much money... They commissioned Oswald Milne, a former student of Edward Lutyens to design the house. Both Rupert and Lady Dorothy were interested in gardening but it was Lady Dorothy who mainly planted the garden, filling it with exotic and tender plants that survived with the influence of the Gulf stream. They employed six full-time gardeners! I often wonder if people who have that much money are really able to enjoy a property like this and actually live in it? Their tenure here wasn't that long (a dozen years or so), although Dorothy lived here full-time in the late 19...
Stunning! I guess they don't need to be tucked under the trees like they do at LaRue's!
ReplyDeleteOh my, these are just glorious. I just love rhodies. Unfortunately I have never been able to grow them. I can't figure out why. When I drive through town this time of year I see them blooming their heads off here and there. These photos make me want to try again.
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip, these rhododendron are spectacular, indeed! I just love them!
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of our visit at Stourhead an amazing garden in England, where I saw the most mature and stunning rhododendrons in my life. I am sure you would have enjoyed a visit there as well.
Anyhow, back to the rhodies in the nursery. How could you restrain yourself from buying them all?
Warm regards,
Christina
Yowza! Those rhododendrons are incredible! Now you need some at your new place, am I right?
ReplyDeleteThose rhodies are gorgeous!
ReplyDelete