Today, like every day, I find myself thankful. Thankful for friends and loved ones, thankful for a comfortable life and the ability to travel, and thankful for having found my passion in landscape design.
Today, I want to share with you some of my favorite gardens from a recent trip to England and Wales, where I traveled for two weeks with my mother, who is also a passionate gardener.
Of the many gardens we saw, several spoke to me as ‘special.’ Chapelside, a private garden not far from Manchester, was one of those. Chapelside was owned and maintained by a lovely couple. She was the plant person. He was the sculptor. Their work and inspiration combined to create a welcoming, relaxed and whimsical garden….a place with many rooms for enjoyment and reflection.
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Chapelside was set in the valley surrounded by farms
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Stone and plant material formed a partnership of harmony and balance
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The sculptor used precisely arranged stones to create a waterfall, seemingly frozen in time
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Another inspirational private garden was Nunwick Hall, an estate that had been passed down from generation to generation. The stately home was surrounded by striking gardens and sculptural elements that had been lovingly placed by its owners.
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| The majestic Nunwick Hall made a statement in the landscape |
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| The formal gardens provided a perfect segue to the pastures beyond. |
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Sculptures bloomed along with the flowers
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Ness Botanic Garden was another amazing space. A large, diverse, botanic garden, Ness rivaled Longwood in Kennett Square, PA, one of my personal favorites. Ness included a sunken garden, heather garden, spiral garden, rock garden and vegetable garden.
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| One of the impressive wildflower meadows |
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The sunken garden which was used for weddings and other celebrations
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The spiral garden complete with ‘waves’ made out of Astroturf that was attached to organic shapes
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I hope you have enjoyed this virtual tour of some beautiful and inspiring gardens. I have more to share and promise to indulge you with photos of additional gardens soon. In the meantime, I know I’ll be influenced by these images and experiences as I work with clients to help them create their own amazing spaces.
Bring on the wildflower meadows! Grass is fine, utilitarian stuff…but too much is boring.
I agree Eugene. I often think of replacing my lawn with something more beautiful and sustainable. The English have it mastered!