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Iford Manor (Part 2)

(Continued from Part 1) ... I knew that Iford Manor was my kind of garden when I saw the statue of "Dying Gaul" perched on top of a wall. We can't afford one for our garden but we do have a little version inside the house - The garden continues uphill with areas that are naturalized as well as manicured  -  A very theatrical area with some of the statuary from Peto's travels - Peto loved curved benches. In addition to Italian gardens, he was influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement. Some think that his love of curved benches came from the paintings of Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Some copies of his works were found in Peto's files - "Expectations" by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema Small buildings also dotted the landscape - The largest building was the cloister which housed more of his classical treasures - There is even a Japanese garden - Various pathways and woodland trails led to a road above the gardens. This set of stairs was roped off, but there were more ...
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Stepping Into May

Rhododendron 'Klondyke' and Geranium maculatum


May is already here and the garden suddenly explodes with growth. We spent the weekend watering (already?) because there hasn't been significant rainfall in a while. We don't have a sprinkler system so it is all manpower, dragging hoses and sprinklers. It takes two days - one for the back and one for the front - to water everything. It is possible to get it all in one day if we start really early.

The rhododendrons are beginning now -

'Mandarin Lights'


'Jean Marie De Montague'


'Percy Wiseman' - beautiful but suffers from lacebug. I'm considering replacing it or maybe I will try and treat it.


A favorite right now is the Chilean Potato Vine (Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'). This plant is hardier than you might imagine. Some sources list it as a "9", others an "8".  It is going on its third year in our garden, having been moved once. It is sheltered somewhat by a fence but it is on the east side of the house. It gets sunlight until around 1pm and shade the remainder of the day. I love this color, it is probably my favorite. 

Chilean Potato Vine (Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin').
The flowers you see are actually cascading down from the top. The vine is actually planted on the opposite side of the fence. 





Some perennials are just getting started - 

Geum 'Starker's Magnificent'


Geum 'Mango Lassie'


Lydia Broom (Genista Lydia)

Creeping Gold Wallflower (Erysimum kotschyanum)


And some foliage interest - first, Clematis recta which I've wanted ever since seeing it in Laura Scott's garden. I finally had to mail-order it through Brushwood Nursery in Athens, Georgia. It has really shot up and is looking great.



Picea abies 'Pusch'



Epimedium


Barberry 'Aurea Nana'


Euphorbia 'Blackbird'

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Kris PetersonMay 5, 2025 at 9:28 AM

    I love all the golden color tones in your spring garden, Phillip. I can't imagine watering everything by hand. Virtually every home in my area has some kind of irrigation system but then that reflects the pronounced difference between our climates.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverMay 5, 2025 at 10:14 AM

      Most people have them here too. There used to be a system here (we still have the sprinkler heads in the ground) but I can't remember if we just didn't know how to use it or because it no longer worked. I think it was the latter. It would be difficult to water our garden with a low sprayer head. There is just too much in the way!

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  2. Linda's Relaxing LairMay 7, 2025 at 2:51 PM

    Beautiful photos. Warm greetings from Montreal ❤️ Canada 🇨🇦

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  3. tz_gardenMay 15, 2025 at 8:11 AM

    I feel your pain, I hand water as well. Or rely on sprinklers to save time. Your garden is really the epitome of May loveliness! The clematis foliage color is striking.

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