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The New Romantic Garden - a book review

The New Romantic Garden by Jo Thompson Rizzoli, 2025 Jo Thompson is a noted UK garden designer who has won numerous awards at RHS shows. Her style is the epitome of the "romantic English garden" idea - sumptuous borders packed with perennials in pastel colors, arches covered with roses, idyllic meadows and garden rooms. But what is the "new" romantic garden? Described as a fresh perspective of utilizing this lush gardening style into the present-day world, it places an emphasis on organic gardening, biodiversity, plant and soil health.  A scene from the author's own garden... Photo: Rachel Warne In this gorgeous book, Thompson showcases thirty of her gardens, all beautifully described and photographed.  From estate gardens to a London penthouse roof garden, they provide sumptuous eye-candy and inspiration. A peek inside... A London city garden filled with roses and iris (Photo: Jason Ingram) Writer Justine Picardie's garden in Norfolk evokes a feeling of a ...
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Valentine's Day Roses

We are snowed in with almost a foot a snow (my unofficial measurement was 9 inches). I thought it would be over with today but no, there is a prediction of ice this afternoon. So far, we've been lucky and have not lost our power, unlike many people in Portland.

Since it is Valentine's Day and we did not plan in advance, we made our own cards (or I should Michael made them - just watching the videos on doing this gives me a headache but he is really good at it) -


 I am also having a splurge day and treating myself to sugar - brownies are in the oven!

To take our minds off the weather, here are some roses from last year.

Cornelia

Darcey Bussell

Radway Sunrise

Phyllis Bide

Dublin Bay


 

Lady of Shalott

 

Robin Hood

 

Alchymist

 

Westerland

 

Climbing Pinkie

Marchesa Boccella

The Impressionist

Eden

Mary Rose

Olivia Rose

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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  1. Kris PetersonFebruary 14, 2021 at 4:28 PM

    The cards are wonderful - and I'm sure the brownies will be too! You're making the best of the cold and snow this Valentine's Day. I loved the photos - I wish I had your touch with roses.

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2021 at 8:28 AM

    Happy belated Valentine's Day! I love those sweet cards, and truly, the most intimate V-Days are the best for me. And your roses are spectacular. I needed a dose of lushness in this crazy winter -15F weather we are having.

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 15, 2021 at 12:30 PM

    Love seeing all of these warm glowing photos. It does lift the spirits with the snow coming down a blizzard here. Cute heart cards. That Michael is so talented.

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  4. chavlinessFebruary 16, 2021 at 9:04 AM

    A good thing to do in snow events: wake up and smell the (virtual) roses.
    I love those valentine cards... I'll be looking for it online (despite the fact that my origami past successes is limited at best).

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  5. Hoover BooFebruary 16, 2021 at 2:43 PM

    Well those photos put a smile on my face. Gorgeous! As are the origami cards.

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  6. debsgardenFebruary 17, 2021 at 12:16 PM

    Beautiful Valentines and even more gorgeous roses! I especially love 'Eden'. My husband had the same idea about brownies as you did. When I woke up on Valentines Day, he brought me brownies in bed! That was a first. We ended up with about 1/4 inch snow and very frigid temps. Other parts of Alabama got much more.

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