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Bourton House

Located in the village of Burton-on-the-Hill, in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, Bourton House is an eighteenth-century manor house with a sixteenth-century Tithe Barn. It is surrounded by a three-acre garden and a seven-acre walled pasture that is now planted with specimen trees. The Jacobean-style house was originally built in 1598 and was shortly thereafter purchased by the wealthy London lawyer Sir Nicholas Overbury. There is a dark history involving Overbury's son, which includes adultery and murder. It is quite a convoluted story, and I don't believe any of the shady dealings actually took place at Bourton House. You can read the story here and decide for yourself. An interesting note about these manor houses and gardens is that the front of the houses usually faced the back of the property. At least that was the case with Hidcote and Kiftsgate . The same here with Bourton House, where the entrance to the property (right next to a busy street) contained a litt...

Is Winter Over?

 
Iris reticulata 'Harmony'


It is not even February yet but you would not guess that by the weather and the flowers that are blooming. Yesterday, the dwarf iris started blooming. These were planted last fall.

Hellebore 'Merlin' has been blooming for weeks. I added another last year and it has a fat bud on it. I believe it is 'Berry Swirl'.


Hellebore 'Merlin' 


Hellebore 'Berry Swirl'

More winter interest -


Heather (Calluna vulgaris 'Firefly')

Heather (Calluna vulgaris 'Multicolor')


Winterberry
(Gaultheria procumbens 'Berry Cascade')


Mahonia 'Charity'

What is blooming in your garden?


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Hahahahaaha... Winter is still here. I do have a Galanthus nivalis blooming and buds on some of my hellebores but no other blooms. It is 40F here today. Crazy for January. Your blooms give me hope for the near future.

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  2. It seems like the smaller the iris, the earlier it blooms. Those baby blue ones are lovely. Hellebore is blooming in my garden too, getting me excited for the upcoming gardening season, and the low growing heather that is practically Glowing this time of year (mine is called blazeaway)!

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