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Hidcote - pt. 1

I'm just now getting around to organizing the photos from my trip to England back in May. As I've said a million times, this was the trip of a lifetime, and I had an incredible time. This was a 3-week trip organized by the HPSO (Hardy Plant Society of Oregon) during which we visited 35 different locations. Most all of these were gardens but there were also a few castles and villages thrown in, as well as the icing on the trip - the Chelsea Flower Show. This tour focused on the southeast region of England, notably the Cotswolds and Cornwall. I've watched so many programs and read so many books about England and the gardens there that I was afraid it would tarnish the image I had built up in my head. I'm pleased to say that it not disappoint. The trek from London to Bath by train was not the best first impression. However, as we gained distance from the city, the rolling green countryside gave me glimpses of things to come. After arriving in Bath and finding my hotel, I m...
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Who Needs Flowers?

Dwarf Birch (Betula 'Trost's Dwarf')
Well, now that I have your attention - taking a look at some of the interesting foliage going on in the garden -


Juniperus conferta 'All Gold'


Chamacyparis O. 'Maiesii'


Variegated Asian Jasmine (Trachelospermum 'Ogon Nishiki')


Orange New Zealand Grass (Carex testacea)


Miscanthus 'Gold Bar'


Aucuba japonica 'Rozannie'


Aralia 'Sun King' and Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' (Snakeroot)


Tatting Fern (Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizellie') 

Fuchsia 'Enstone'


Hypericum inodorum 'Pumpkin' (St. John's Wort)

Ferns and Epimedium



Hosta 'Rainforest Sunrise' and Alchemilla (Lady's Mantle)

Picea pungens 'Globosa' (Dwarf Colorado Blue Spruce)


Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' (Purple Fountain Grass) and Bacopa


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. AlisonAugust 6, 2019 at 8:05 AM

    I need flowers! When I first moved here I was so amused by the antics of the hummingbirds in my garden, fighting over the flowers in my garden. Then I bought into the whole "foliage is better" thing and took out a bunch of wonderful flowering plants in favor of foliage in order to be trendy. Guess what happened? No more hummers. Now I'm putting the flowers back. Your photos are lovely, and foliage is nice to look at, but leaves don't feed the birds and bees.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverAugust 6, 2019 at 8:11 AM

      I'm with you 100%! We have more hummingbirds this year than ever before. It is my #1 gardening motivator!

      Delete
  2. Barbara Blossom AshmunAugust 6, 2019 at 8:23 AM

    Ooh, you've created craving again! I need to get that Hypericum 'Pumpkin' very soon. I have one with pinkish fruit that I love, lost the tag, and always on the lookout for others that have staying power.

    ReplyDelete
  3. danger gardenAugust 6, 2019 at 9:02 AM

    Oh that photo of the Aralia 'Sun King' and Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' is to die for!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hoover BooAugust 6, 2019 at 1:40 PM

    I may be a Flower Floozy, but Foliage is Fabulous, too.

    The color of the Picea, the bubbly texture of the Hosta, the gloss of the Acuba, the drama of the Trachelospermum--oooohhh!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. ksAugust 6, 2019 at 5:59 PM

    Oh the foliage ! Love my flowers but foliage carries the day when flowers start to fade. Beautiful photos and combinations every one. The Picea.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lisa at GreenbowAugust 7, 2019 at 4:31 PM

    This time of year the foliage does begin to come into play in a big way. When the drought time descends on our area that is about all you get. I like seeing your foliage. Foliage is what is the backbone of the garden.

    ReplyDelete
  7. chavlinessAugust 8, 2019 at 11:06 AM

    The Dwarf Birch is a riot. That and the 'Ogon Nishiki' call for a little research. I love them both.

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