I bought Rosamund Wallenger's book about the restoration of the garden at The Manor House, Upton Grey probably when it was published in 2000, it was certainly some years ago. I remember how excited I was to read the book charting her and her husband's journey to recreate the garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll from original plans. I could not imagine anything more amazing to discover that you had bought a garden with such history accidentally. Rosemary and John were not gardeners at that point, but still they decided that this was a project they had to undertake.
at the time I was keen to visit the garden, but I believed it was not generally open at that point to visitors. Time passes and whilst I did not forget about the garden, I did not actively investigate whether it was open to the public. Fast forward twenty six years and I see on a group chat that the garden is going to be closed to visitors from the 31st July which was a mere few weeks away. Well, I knew I had to go, I could not miss the opportunity. I worked out when I could do it, blocked out the day and waited fairly impatiently.
It was going to be a warm day so I decided to try and get there not too late into the afternoon when the heat might still be reasonable. It is a schlep from my house to Basingstoke, but a worthwhile one. When I arrived their small parking area was full: which was unsurprising as this was the last week of opening. Thankfully a kind man pointed to where I could park, so I did not have to worry about being in an inconvenient space. Sun hat on, cold drink in bag, camera battery full..... in I went.
and then there I was in this garden I had read so much about. I had the huge desire to run around the garden squealing with excitement; however I am not a three year old and it is considered very bad manners to behave in such a way and it was a very warm day. So I started to explore sedately: walking along the long formal borders which were just delightful. I was making mental notes all the time: plant more hollyhocks being top of the list. Even in this drought they were looking wonderful.
The views leading you into each area just pulled me along.
Each each was distinct and had its own character. The strategically placed benches meant you could sit and enjoy.
This is the view over the orchard. The topiary balls just frame the view beautifully.
I continued my wanderings: now making my way to the back of the house, but just look at the quality of the planting of this border. Gertrude Jekyll is remembered for her planting design for good reason.
The view from the tennis lawn, up through the levels of small walls was enough to make me just stop for a moment. Stop and take it in.
The rose garden looked dry, but still looked good.
Sadly the roses were waiting for their second flush and the cannas were not yet in full swing and yet it was still great to see.
I loved the arch way that led up to the house (or away from the house depending on your direction)
Rope swags! actual rope swags. I nearly swooned.
I loved all the formal planting, I loved the perennial borders, and I got equally if not more excited by the nuttery. Look and the woven fencing: fabulous.
Not a great photo, I was trying to show that the pollarding of the trees.
the cool of the shady paths was a relief on this increasingly warming day.
The detail of entering/leaving the space was so beautiful. The nuttery was not a huge space, in fact most of the compenents of the garden were not huge huge. Obviously putting them together does make a big space, but as is often said: even from big gardens inspiration can be translated down to smaller spaces. No I am not going to add a nuttery to my garden I do not have the space, but maybe a woven rustic looking arch - that is not impossible.
Now it was time to go into the Wild Garden. Yes, I have an area of my garden called the Wild Garden and yes, it is a direct lift of this name to which I have no shame. This part of the garden, which is actually rather large: probably bigger than my whole garden and more, was really exciting for me to see. It had captured my imagination when I first read about it and so I really wanted to see it. Look at the shallow semicircle of steps - ooh I want to do this so much. No idea how/where, but it is sitting there like a seed waiting for its time to germinate.
It was very dry as are most places at the moment. There was a rosa rugosa bed to the left, which had finished flowering. I have some rugosa roses at the top of my Wild Garden on the boundary. Very useful as natural barbed wire.
The pond was lovely and peaceful. I imagine it is spring-fed as it was certainly more full then mine is.
There were a couple of these benches in the Wild Garden. I love the shape of them. I want one.....
The Wild Garden did not disappoint. I found it tranquil to walk around and to sit for a while. It made me think about my Wild Garden, which is a bit more wild as I mow mine less than this as I have not the space for such broad paths. It made me think about whether I still like my approach, whether there were other things I could do. These are thoughts still in progress (I think you might expect some more rugosa roses.....).
The whole visit was one that provoked and is still provoking great thought. I was so glad I went as I nearly chickened out wondering if the trip would be worth it. It really was worth it, it made me want to improve my perennial borders as they lack colour. This I have to work on. As said above I am thinking about the Wild Garden, maybe giving over more space to it, not sure yet. This is thinking in progress. Also - this was not the only garden I visited in this week. I will write about the other shortly, but it was a very different garden almost in every way possible and yet, and yet, I saw linkages, I felt cross-inspiration taking place......
Until then
oh - before I forget - if you want to know more about the garden as it is now not possible to visit, get Rosamund Wallinger's book 'Gertrude Jekyll's Lost Garden. It is a great read.
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