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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...
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Rainy Sunday


A second rainy Sunday in a row but I am not complaining. 64 degrees was the high today. I moved here for this kind of weather. 

 I don't necessary enjoy working in a wet garden though and did not get much accomplished today. I planted some things yesterday afternoon after work and forgot to get some autumn crocus in the ground. So I planted those between taking photos.

The autumn crocus that was already here are blooming. I am not sure exactly what they are - colchicum maybe?


I added some of these -


Taking a look around the wet garden -
I am getting ready to work on the center steps between the terraces. Those are the reason for the random stones. The railroad-tie steps are too steep so I am going to add some pavers and hope that will work.


Around front between the front borders. The grass, which has been unwatered, is just now returning to green. There are many bare spots. I plan to redo this pathway next year. 

I've never really been a big fan of hibiscus but this 'Midnight Marvel' is growing on me. In Alabama, they were always eat up with holes from insects feasting on them. So far, that hasn't been a problem here. 

Rose 'Golden Celebration'


Persicaria 'Blackfield'

Callicarpa 'Profusion' (Beautyberry)

Begonia grandis 'Heron's Pirouette'
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. chavlinessSeptember 23, 2019 at 7:43 AM

    The pink crocus has popped out in my garden too, but now that you mentioned it, there is no sign of crocus sativa yet; I harvest the saffron if I get to it before the rain destroy the blooms. Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel' is very nice! I love that amazing dark foliage.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverSeptember 23, 2019 at 10:22 AM

      I may try to harvest the saffron. That sounds like fun!

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 23, 2019 at 1:29 PM

    I hear ya about the hibiscus being eaten alive. Mine looks shredded. Maybe the bugs don't recognize the dark leaves?? My crazy fall crocus don't bloom. The green comes up during the spring but not a bloom the past few years. Maybe I need to move them. I miss them. Your garden looks so lush. I hope the stones help with the steps.

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  3. SallysmomSeptember 24, 2019 at 10:44 AM

    Oh, my, amazing how much you have done. It is beautiful!

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