Go Dutch!
Light is the magic!
This was the High Street in Oxford this morning, Wednesday. Yesterday was grey and raining, and tomorrow is forecast grey and raining. But today,...
Beauty beyond words!
Such colours, such luxury, such style, such opulence, glamour, joy, and then such scent as well! Beyond dreams, beyond belief, imagination, beyond...
Importing Dutch bulbs to the UK
I was fascinated by this photo taken at the end of the 19th Century in Northern Holland. After the bulbs were harvested from the fertile polders,...
Lent Lily
Driving back from a meeting in Norwich after the Easter weekend, my breath was caught when I glimpsed banks of our wild...
Tulip time!
I have not long returned from some very sunny days in my fatherland for a Tulip Trade Event. In true Dutch celebratory style, Holland’s largest bulb...
Plant hunting
We drove through beautiful meadowlands enjoying the warmth of early spring sunlight on our way to Fibrex Nurseries near Stratford, holders of both...
The End of Winter
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...
Traditional terracing
Traditional terracing using local stone sits effortlessly on the steep hills behind Portofino. And the air was alive with glorious fragrance and...
National Garden Scheme
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...
Seasonal Posts
Traditional terracing
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
A glorious Bank Holiday morning – the air was balmy, brimming with birdsong and the soft powdery scent of Irises. Almost 200 varieties of iris are available to see and purchase at Wootten’s Nursery. Iris ‘Empress of India’ really sang to me – very healthy and a...
National Garden Scheme
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
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
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
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...
