The End of Winter

by Laura | 21 February 2018

The days are lengthening fast and after an inspiringly beautiful walk in Suffolk I feel that winter is behind us. Even after it has held it’s grip for many weeks, there is so much beauty to be found including the outlines of our magnificent native oaks, pines...

Traditional terracing

by Laura | 21 May 2017

Traditional terracing using local stone sits effortlessly on the steep hills behind Portofino. And the air was alive with glorious fragrance and birdsong. We love working with craftsmen to help create timeless designs in the garden. ← Iris Fields The End of...

National Garden Scheme

by Laura | 15 May 2017

Such a wonderful idea to raise money for nursing charities by kind owners opening their garden gates. I love reading ‘The Yellow Book’ in the winter months to try to work a visit to an open garden with other commitments. Rose and I have just visited two spectacular...

A top 10 garden

by Laura | 8 May 2017

I don’t care for rankings or ratings much… comparisons are indeed odious. However, the gardens at Great Dixter were in the realms of sublime beauty at my visit last week and are definitely now added to my top 10 British gardens list. It rained throughout my tour...

Perch Hill

by Laura | 4 May 2017

Lunch last week was with Sarah Raven. Gosh she is brilliant and so generous with her knowledge and time. Her bunches, all picked from the garden, usually contain “6 ingredients”. This one includes Tulipa ‘Victoria’s Secret’, T. ‘Helmar’ and T. ‘Royal Acres’ with...

English Bluebells

by Laura | 18 April 2017

In larger gardens with damp woodland, we often plant thousands of our native bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta. More refined and elegant than their invasive Spanish cousins, H.hispanica, their scent is subtly exquisite yet travels far. Towards the woodland margins...