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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...

Flashback Friday - View from the Deck

 

I was going through some old photos and the difference from five years ago is pretty amazing. The above photo was taken on March 14, 2015. We had moved into the house in January and I was just getting started on the garden. This was the view from our back deck. You can see the cardboard on the ground for future garden beds. 

This photo was taken on February 4, 2015 and even more dismal -

 

Here is that same view taken on August 19, 2020 -


 Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. The good ole summer time and what a difference a few years makes. Doesn't even look like the same place. Well done!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. How is that even possible? You created a masterpiece.

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  3. I would be thrilled with progress like that ! And you had to imagine from pretty much a blank canvass. Looks great !

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