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Stourhead (Wiltshire, England)

Stourhead is one of the most famous gardens in England. This massive estate includes a Palladian house and park-like garden (2300 acres!) that surrounds a huge man-made lake. It is one picture-perfect view after another. The expression "a living work of art" certainly applies here. Now, to my embarrassment, I missed some of the main features, including the house! I don't know how it happened, as I had a nourishing English-style breakfast, I wasn't under the influence of anything, and I even had a map of the premises.  Looking at a map of the grounds of Stourhead now, I can see that the house is situated in an unusual location, removed from the main house and the visitor entrance.  It is past the Stable Yard, which wasn't that interesting and I had turned around and headed back to the entrance and our bus (I had already walked around the lake and gardens). I regret that I missed the house.  Henry Hoare II inherited Stourhead in 1717 when he was twenty. He built the...
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August Views


The last day of August approaches and the end of my least favorite month. With it comes another hot week. Today is especially bad with almost 100 degrees. The garden looks okay though despite this and the fact that we've had no rain in over 70 days!

Most of these photos were taken last week on a very cool day with the marine layer present.

Redbud 'Flame Thrower' seems to hate the heat as much as I do and looks absolutely terrible on hot days. It was just planted this year and I'm not sure if it just hasn't settled in yet or if it despises the full sun exposure it is getting. But here it is looking its best.

Another stunning tree but one with a few drawbacks is Harlequin Glory-Bower or Peanut Butter Tree (Clerodendrum trichotomum). I haven't been able to get a photo that does justice. It presents an elegant sight looking out at it from our back deck and the hummingbirds and bees love it. The bad quality that I mentioned is a tendency to run and reappear in less desirable spots. We found one this year but they are easily pulled and so far, a small price to pay to such a beauty.



The Russian Sage (Perovskia) is too large for the courtyard and I am replacing it next year with a smaller plant. 

Sumac 'Tiger Eyes' also has a tendency to run but easily potted up for more plants.


Stewartia psuedocamellia,
Hornbeam (Carpinus betula 'Fastiagiata Nana') in the pot
and Jasmine 'Fiona Sunrise' on the pergola

Cedrus deodora 'Feelin' Blue', Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Skeeter's Broom' and 'Sango Kaku', Rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke'

'Karl Foerster' Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora)


Persicaria 'Golden Arrow', Hydrangeas 'Pistachio' and 'Twist n' Shout', Calamagrostis 'Eldorado'


Looking down the first set of terrace steps on the left is Chaste Tree (Vitex),
Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite', 'Skyrocket' Juniper.
On right from bottom is Smoke Tree 'Golden Spirit' (Cotinus) and Katsura in the foreground.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Kris PetersonAugust 30, 2022 at 4:55 PM

    I love that tidy little Clerodendrum but I expect it needs more water than I can provide. August is my least favorite month too but your garden looks better than mine, Phillip. With our current water restrictions I've let a lot of things go and just try to shift my eyes in another direction to the degree possible. We're expecting the worst heatwave of the summer thus far this week, with it shifting into high gear tomorrow and hitting its worst on Sunday.

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    1. Phillip OliverAugust 31, 2022 at 8:14 AM

      Kris, I keep hoping California will get more rain.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousAugust 31, 2022 at 7:58 AM

    Slightly different vantage points than usual, those long shots are beautiful! I wouldn't think its August: everything is so lush and green. Redbud should be able to take full sun... I hope it tolerates the heat better once it matures.
    There's a 'ghostly' bare tree in the background of photo (one before last). Is it painted?
    chavli

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverAugust 31, 2022 at 8:16 AM

      Chavli, those are limbs that Michael painted white and put in a large pot. I always wanted some type of glass sculptures to fill that hole and he came up with that idea which was faster and cheaper!

      Delete
  3. Hoover BooSeptember 4, 2022 at 12:19 PM

    Wow! Looking great there. I like the too-big Perovskia--perhaps just a bit of a cut back of the more brazen stems? It's fun when a plant says, "Hey, look at me!"

    70 days without rain--that makes someone in Southern California giggle. 7 months is normal for here.

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    1. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2022 at 4:01 PM

      Hoover, I don't know how you do it - yikes!

      Delete
  4. RobinLSeptember 6, 2022 at 2:33 PM

    You’d never guess from these gorgeous photos that you’ve had a hot, dry summer. It looks very green and lush.

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