10 Photos of Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Sissinghurst Castle Garden is an iconic British garden and a must see when you visit Great Britain.

Recently I was reviewing a book that was published 3rd of November, 2014 (read the review here).
Whatever you see on the photos below or in reality, you can find its story in the book, how that specific part was created, what challenges were faced from the beginning and how the weaknesses of the site were turned into strengths.

 Photos thanks to courtesy of Ugardener

For me one of the most interesting part is the description how the illusion of symmetry was created. The site is not perfect, as any of those we guard. One of its characteristics is lack of symmetry.

They struggled with it, but they made it – for today looks perfectly symmetrical. Whether you like it or not, symmetry is pleasing for the eyes. Worth re-thinking? I believe so. In the meantime I hope you enjoy the photos and maybe also the book as I do (still standing on the shelf next to my bed).  

Recommended further reading Sissinghurst: Vita Sackville-West and the Creation of a Garden

Recommended further reading Sissinghurst: Vita Sackville-West and the Creation of a Garden

I love this photo. Look close. See the parts of the grass that is left growing freely. No mowing, or let's say just partial mowing. Like it too?

Recommended further reading Sissinghurst: Vita Sackville-West and the Creation of a Garden

Celebrate Nature’s Larder at The Wildlife Garden RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, 8-13 July 2014

‘The Jordan Wildlife Garden’ has been created by award winning garden designer, Selina Botham. With a colourful variety of features from edible wild flowers, trees and hedges to oats, fruit and nuts – all of which can be foraged from the countryside – the garden provides a natural 'larder' to share as a shelter for birds, bees and butterflies. Its unveiling celebrates the belief that great tasting food comes from working closely with nature, as well as aiming to inspire gardeners everywhere to support British wildlife.

The Jordans Wildlife Garden is set to showcase the importance of sustainability and protecting the British countryside to RHS visitors from across the country. Oat fields, inspired by Jordans’ farms, outline the sides of the garden, moving through to mown paths of species rich meadow, which curve through the space. Swathes of meadow alongside the paths give a close connection to nature. The garden is surrounded by a cut log wall and grassy banks, which form a wildlife friendly edge to the garden and a habitat for wildlife. A nut terrace that provides an edible treat for both people and wildlife surrounds the elegant, reflective pool in the centre of the garden.
There are also sculpted straw benches, created by willow sculptor Spencer Jenkins, that provide a place to rest and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. Mixed native hedgerow and fruit and nut trees will surround one side of the garden, providing more edible treats for people and animals.

The array of features have each been designed to support local wildlife, including thatched insect hotels, birdhouses and feeding stations – all sculpted especially for The Jordans Wildlife Garden – whilst adding a unique beauty to the space. Design elements such as the cut wood stepping-stones, created by chainsaw artist Ella Fielding, will provide further material for animals to make their homes in, whilst the meadow flowers themselves house a beehive – a core feature of any wildlife garden. 

Selina Botham, award winning garden designer
A passionate wildlife and garden enthusiast, Selina Botham is perfectly placed to bring The Jordans Wildlife Garden to life. She has won numerous awards for her beautiful and considered approach to gardening, from Gold to Best In Show for her first ever garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. In 2010, Selina scooped Gold, Best Communal Garden and overall Garden of the Year at The New Homes Garden Awards for a housing association garden. This was the first time a housing association garden had won this prestigious award.

About the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
This year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show will take place 8-13 July, 2014 and promises to bring visitors all the fun and excitement of a spectacular summer festival.
Visitors are advised to look out for the show gardens, including ‘The Jordans Wildlife Garden’ designed by award-winning garden designer Selina Botham. 
For more information on ticket sales and attendance, visit the website.

Giant pyramid garden and freemasonry...

Long, long time ago, in the eighteen century she discovered a mysterious link between the pyramids in English landscape gardens and the secret Freemasonry society...

Pyramids or similar to pyramid-like forms in the early English landscape design in gardens like Cirencester, Castle Howard, Stowe, Rousham, Studley Royal, Castle Hill, appeared at very early stage, long before the later eighteenth century archaeological explorations of ancient civilizations, thus is sometimes understood as an expression of freemasonry ideals of the garden's owners.

She found out there is an interesting link between the landscape garden in England 1710 and 1730 and the period of the European Enlightenment and diffusion of Freemasonry in England and Europe. 

In this period many landowners and intellectuals were freemasons. Also many famous figures like Alexander Pope, Arbuthnot, Edward Harley, the Earl of Chesterfield, James Addison, Richard Steele, Jonathan Swift, James Thomson, Lord Burlington, Lord Cobham, William Stuckley, Lord Montague, Voltaire and Montesquieu. 

She also discovered that as Freemasonry develops in this period of time a focus for intellectuals, politicians, the gentry, artists and architects, as natural result there was an exchange of beliefs, aesthetic values and ideas between English and European intellectuals. Those intellectuals who had links with freemasonry secret society or were part of it, were also strongly linked with the development of the arts, including landscape architecture. 
Don't you think it would be interesting to research the connections between Freemasonry and the early English landscape garden?

Below photos were taken during Floriade garden show 2012. This interesting and pretty construction that adds interest to the flat surface of the garden, clearly revokes pyramids. Does it have any other meaning?

What do you think?

20 photos of Canterbury Garden at the Cathedral – Wisteria, Fig and Nudity

By total surprise, on my last trip to England, on the quest of gothic cathedrals, I have discovered beautiful garden around Canterbury cathedral! Travelling around different places always make me search for possibility to find garden related subjects. 

This time apart of the architectonic beauty I discovered weird Platanus tree, beautiful fig tree, wisteria - amazingly pleasing not only eyes, but also nose and lavenders growing at gravel paving. For me that was enough to make me happy. 

This contemporary planter at the entrance fits very well the historic place.

Entrance to private parts just next to the cathedral.

Plants are growing everywhere.

Fig tree at the brick wall.

Abnormal Platanus - it's huge, but why so weird? I haven't found the answer, but maybe you know?

Canterbury Cathedral  in the background.

Lavender at the gravel paving.

And those nude decorations of the balcony.

You may ask me then why gothic cathedrals? I study art historyat the Warsaw University and this year there is focus on medieval art. Because gothic cathedrals are one of the most magnificent and spectacular achievements of medieval architecture, I decided to take part in the trip organised by students with patronage of Warsaw University and our great tutor on the subject of gothic, Jakub Adamski PhD.    

Canterbury cathedral in the history is connected with saint Thomas (Archbishop Thomas Becket) that had not been a popular, saintly or even particularly likeable person, but the way he was murdered fired up public discussion – as a result within two years he had become an extra  European celebrity, was canonized as saint, because credited with a heap of miracles (illustrated later in several whole window ensembles in Canterbury Cathedral).

Archbishop Thomas Becket (1118-1170) was murdered (attacked, beheaded and brained) on 29 December 1170 in his own cathedral in Canterbury, during the holy mass,  by four knights responding to the urgings of Plantagenet King Henry II (1133-1189). This is probably still one of the best known in English history.

Graphic representations of his life and more specifically death appeared in very far places as Palestine, Sicily (Mosaic in Monreale Cathedral), Spoleto (Umbria - fresco in the church of Saints John and Paul) and the pilgrimage churches of France such as Chartres (an entire window sponsored by the Guild of Tanners dedicated to Becket's life).

Rose garden at Oxford Botanic Garden

While leaving Oxford Botanic Garden by surprise I’ve spotted hidden rose garden arranged with box beds. This type of space arrangement is very close to my heart now and I think I am the only one who has spotted that garden.

The only one from group of 40 people who traveled with me. This is the proof that you see what you want or desire or just are interested with.

If you are pregnant, you see literally ALL pregnant women around. If you dream about white car of certain brand, you see all white cars of that model and brand you wish to have. You become part of target group.

Now I am perfect target group for rose producers. I produce box by myself, so no need for that – little “baby boxes” are waiting for next season to make perfect borders in my garden.

If you are end of May of June in Oxford Botanic Garden, don’t miss this rose garden, on the right side before the entrance, hidden behind tall hedge. I hope you enjoy the photos.

House in the roses

If you see the wonderful example of house in the roses - like this one on the photos below - you think – why not? Maybe in my garden they can also grow in abundance? And no arbors and not the largest roses in the world...

But there is one problem. What to do when roses stop blooming? They don’t bloom all year round, right? Photos were taken end of May in UK, I wonder how this garden looks today. Possibly some roses are still blooming… but what about November-April?
For this reason I prefer solution roses with lavender, because lavender at least stays in color and nice shape in those dull winter and early spring months.

Aha, when we ear at the roses – little update on my rose gardening. Last week I took some cuttings from my Mary Rose old English rose. My current two Mary Rose shrubs have very undisciplined rootstock which is weakening the original plant.
I know that currently rose producers are producing roses on their own rootstock – there must be a reason. I want to see difference. I don’t hope for too much success in this season. If it doesn’t work now, repeating in May will make no harm, right? Let’s treat it as rose gardening exercise.

I wonder what do you exercise this season?