In April we had a fascinating visit to the Albury Vineyard in Surrey, which is committed to organic and biodynamic principals. We arrived when the ‘bougies’ were out! That’s French for candle. When frost is forecast these large wax burners have to be placed amongst the vines to try and manage the temperature and prevent bud damage. Needless to say we sampled the delicious wines before heading next door to The Silent Pool, a relatively new, artisan gin producer! We had a tour there too, learning about production techniques and the botanicals used. Both sites are well worth a visit.
In May we visited West Dean Gardens in West Sussex for a scented tour of the ornamental gardens, and to learn about the heritage fruit and vegetables. I had visited the college a long time ago but never the gardens; I did not realise what a treasure I had missed all these years; the incredible 300ft Edwardian pergola, designed by Harold Peto, covered in deliciously fragrant wisterias, the delightful sheltered sunken garden, the cornucopia which is the walled kitchen garden, as well as stunning, colourful
In May we had a flying visit to the Channel Islands to see some friends in Jersey. We visited the War Tunnels, which give an amazing insight into what life was like in the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by the Germans during WWII. We also explored the Botanical Gardens at Samares Manor where we discovered the herb garden designed by the late John Brooks, and a Japanese garden built in 1930.
Plant School 2019 continued in January with a class based at the Garden Museum in Lambeth, London. This medieval and Victorian church was scheduled to be demolished in 1972 but, thankfully, was rescued by the museum’s founder to become Britain’s only museum to the art, history and design of gardens. The churchyard was re-designed as a garden and, more importantly, contains the magnificent tomb of John Tradescant who was the first great plant hunter in British history (c1570-1638). In March we visited Wakehurst Place, Sussex, where
Click to see some photos of
Plant School: Garden Museum & Wakehurst
Click to see some photos of
West Dean Gardens
Click to see some photos of
the Albury Vineyard
Click to see some photos of
Samares Manor
‘The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That’s all there ever is.’ Eckhart Tolle
Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.
Confucius
Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.
Rumi
I shut my eyes in order to see.
Paul Gauguin
Click to see some of my own
photos
the enormous pink flowers of Magnolia Campbellii x Magnolia Campbellii Mollicomata were simply stunning.
displays of unusual plant
collections housed in thirteen impressive Victorian glasshouses, not to mention the beautiful spring garden with flint bridges and the occasional giant sculpture. Visit soon!
In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we have been taught.
Baba Dioum