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Baptisia 'Purple Smoke' We are experiencing a rare day for June - drizzle and cool temps. But oh, things will change this weekend with 93 predicted for Sunday. I'm not looking forward to that.  We decided to take a break from the garden today because of the weather and the fact that we've been working our butts off. Our garden will be on the HPSO Study Weekend tour at the end of the month so there is much to get done. I would normally schedule tours of our garden now in early June  because I feel that it the peak time ( (and you can make individual appointments). For the Study Weekend tour, thank goodness for hydrangeas to give them something to look at! I've been filling holes and pots, Michael has been pruning and dead-heading. A few days ago, we completely redid a rock retaining wall which just about did us in.  The weather has been lovely and I do hope the heat spell is a short-lived one.  Here are some highlights in the garden now. Peony 'White Cap' Ros...
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Secret Gardens of Somerset - a book review


Secret Gardens of Somerset: A Private Tour
by Abigail Willis; photographs by Clive Coursnell
Frances Lincoln (September 15, 2020)

I've never set foot outside the United States but I do have a strong desire to travel and I would love to see the great gardens of the world. I've always said that England would be my first choice but what part of England? I would be at a loss as I know very little about the geography. From what I hear, Somerset, with its rolling hills and quaint villages, sounds enticing. 

At this point, armchair travel has to suffice for me, and I do love a beautiful garden book. This one, available this week, takes readers on a tour of twenty fabulous landscapes. 

The gardens range from large manor estates to cottage gardens and small farms. The garden styles are varying, from informal to formal and some with very modern touches. Several are influenced by Piet Oudolf. Margery Fish, whose garden was immortalized in her book We Made A Garden, is here and we see how her legacy is being kept alive. The most famous garden (or the one that I was most familiar with) is Hestercombe, designed by the great team of Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens. Other gardens include The American Museum and Gardens, Elworthy Cottage, Forest Lodge, Greencombe Gardens, Hauser & Worth Somerset, Ilford Manor, Kilver Court, Midney Gardens, Milton Lodge, The Newt, Stoberry House, Westbrook House and Yeo Valley Organic Garden.

The author presents the history of each garden and explains how the long established gardens are being rescued by a new generation of gardeners.  The text is illustrated by the stunning photography of Clive Coursnell. A gorgeous book to inspire gardeners and plan a trip to Somerset.

 

 
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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