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Iford Manor (Bradford-on-Avon, England) Part 1

At the end of our trip (after seeing almost 30 gardens), our tour director, Bruce, asked us to give him a list of our top 5 favorite gardens. I had to think awhile for my 3-5 choices, but I immediately knew that my top two were Tresco Abbey (which I have not covered yet) and this one - Iford Manor. For the #1 spot, I go back and forth, but after being home for a few months, Iford Manor brings me my most pleasant memory.  Actually, the two gardens are similar in style (Italianate). Since I'm doing these in order, it will be some time before I get to Tresco Abbey.  First, a little about the house. The property was once home to a wool factory and dates back to the Domesday book (1086). The present house was built around 1720. The house overlooks the Frome valley with a small river flowing in front.  We began our tour on this bridge where we met the Lord of the manor - Just kidding - the owner is William Cartwright-Hignett. That is him in the center of this photo with our gro...
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Fuchsia 'Hawkshead'

 

We fell for fuchsias in a big way when we moved here because they didn't fare well in the southern heat at all. We started growing them here in pots the first year and then learned that many can be grown in the ground. One of my favorites is 'Hawkshead' which has pendulous white flowers. If you look closely at the flowers, you will notice that they have green tips. 'Hawkshead' is a vigorous upright plant and reaches about 3 feet in both height and width. It tends to have a heavy bloom in early summer followed by another one in fall here in our garden.


 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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  1. Kris PetersonOctober 5, 2021 at 11:31 AM

    I fell in love with this fuchsia too. I tried growing it outside and, to its credit, it made it through our summer if not into the following year. It's just too dry for it to thrive in my borders here, although I might be tempted to try it again in a large pot inside my lath house.

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  2. Hoover BooOctober 5, 2021 at 2:08 PM

    So lovely!

    Fuchsias grow well in Sunset 24 where I grew up--23, just one zone inland, not so good. Yours are spectacular.

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  3. ksOctober 5, 2021 at 8:49 PM

    My Hawkshead tends pink here in Napa-I assume it's the heat since Anabelle pinks up in summer too. It's a prolific bloomer from the moment it leafs out in April.

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