Monday 8 July 2013

Garden Visit - The Garden House, Saxby (part 1)

 Yesterday, on a really hot and sunny day, Chris and I went to my favourite local garden, The Garden House, Saxby, which has appeared several times on my blog.  On previous visits, we had not managed to visit in time to see the meadow, so I was really hoping we would see it!  I wasn't disappointed.  Initially, it was a haze of white ox-eye daisies and plantains.
Then we could see subtle pinks... (This photo reminds me of an Angie Lewin woodcut or lino print - something like this?)
Angie Lewin - Meadow II

(After that little interlude, back to the visit.) 
..and then the bright red of poppies...
 ...contrasting beautifully with blue cornflowers.  A perfect combination.
 This is one of my favourite photos from this visit.
 A little further on, there were a few irises still flowering. Chris really liked the caramel and butterscotch tones of this one (we think it was 'Howard Weed').
 However, I preferred the pinks and purple of this one.
 I do love to see what I call 'floofy' planting, and this is where my garden cannot compare to one like this, as they have the space to plant in huge drifts, which look amazing.  My poor plants don't have the space to be drifts and have to jostle and crowd one another. I suppose if I stuck to fewer varieties, I could then have more of each one, but "my name is Ellie and I'm a plantaholic", so that would never work!

 The obelisk garden provided a view of greens and yellow.
 More lovely planting, with red hot pokers looking red hot!
More drifts of pastel colours, with a touch of terracotta, for contrast.
 Some varieties of lavender were just starting to flower and the scent wafted alongside us as we walked up here.
The Tudor/Elizabethan gardener sculpture was almost hidden by the rose leaves. 
(More photos of the rest of the visit in my next post.)


8 comments:

  1. Oh, beautiful! The meadow is spectacular, as were the Irises. Thank you.

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    1. Dear Toffeeapple
      Thank you. I was really pleased with the photos, as when I was taking them, the sun was so bright, I couldn't really see the image properly. The meadow was beautiful and I am delighted that we actually managed to see it this year, having missed it for two years!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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    1. Dear cookie
      Thank you. I think they show what a beautiful garden it is and why it is my favourite local garden! I am really happy with the way the photos turned out too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. It is an incredible garden, thank you so much for sharing it with us Ellie.

    I so know what you mean about drifts of colour ... next year, not being a plantaholic myself ... I'm thinking of sticking to just a few plants in my tiny garden and trying for the same effect on a smaller scale.

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    1. Dear Annie
      Thank you. It is a beautiful garden, with so many areas to explore and interesting view that call out to be explored! I would love to have big drifts of colour but know that I wouldn't be able to restrict myself to just a few different types of plants. It does look incredible though. Good luck with your garden plans for next year.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. It looks a really beautiful garden Ellie and yes, I too know what you mean about drifts. I'm a bit of a plantaholic myself and would love a bigger space.

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    1. Dear Anne
      Thank you. It is the sort of garden I would love to have one day, but it does take a lot of work to keep it looking good. One of the owners was telling us that they were going to have extra help in the garden. I dream of having a bigger garden too, so that I could indulge my love of plants and have more of a 'planting in drifts' approach, rather than the 'shoe horn them in' approach which I have now! Maybe one day...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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