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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...
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Hail To The No!

Rhododendron 'Blue Baron'


After yesterday's snowstorm, we had a bone-chilling day today with a few sunny spots. This afternoon, a freakish hail storm or so I thought - apparently it was graupel? A new term for me. Tomorrow's forecast? Snow in the morning but hopefully nothing like the one yesterday. 

Get a load of this -



Viewing the aftermath from yesterday's snow, it was comforting to see that the garden had rebounded nicely. I suppose that most of us underestimate the resiliency of plants even after working with them for decades. Our tendency is to panic and expect the worst but I now always think about a phrase that a co-worker tells customers - "Plants want to live!" 

I didn't spend much time outside today because it was cold and wet but I did get the Azara (Azara microphylla) upright again.

Yesterday -




Today! -



It wasn't bad at all. I picked it right up and used a large stake to secure it. I didn't feel any roots as I lifted it and I wonder about what kind of root system this tree has - apparently not significant which might explain why it fell. There is a section of bark off the trunk missing and I'm not sure if it were already like this - 



The Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) received the most damage with at least three large limbs broken off. It was so full and lush and now there is an obvious hole on one side. There is really nothing to do about it except wait and hope for new growth to develop. 


By all accounts, a freakish April. Winter is reluctant to depart ways as the forecast for the next seven days looks chilly and wet.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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