A shady dell in 'West Bank' with Camellia latifolia and an elderly Embothrium 'Norquinco' planted in 1953 it can only be seen from the other side of the garden. Taking central stage is our present tortoiseshell cat 'Pansy'.Elizabeth Henslowe has written some notes to accompany these recent pictures.
A shady dell in 'West Bank' with Camellia latifolia and an elderly Embothrium 'Norquinco' planted in 1953 it can only be seen from the other side of the garden. Taking central stage is our present tortoiseshell cat 'Pansy'.
Running alongside the vegetable garden is a border we call 'Sweet Chestnut Shade'. Castanea sativa 'Albomarginata' is a rare variegated sweet chestnut and an example of where NOT to plant a forest tree! This is beautiful and unusual but it drips onto, and shades, the vegetables. It has big leathery leaves that take several years to rot but they do protect the rhubarb from frost. All our trees planted before 1969 are covered by Tree Protection Orders.
The red-flowered Rhododendron 'Elizabeth' is a dwarf, but is now over 40 years old, and has reached the height of eight feet.
The Pergola by the pond is clothed in roses, wisteria and a Clematis montana 'Star' and a golden hop Humulus lupus 'Aureus'.
Part of the South Lawn with Rhododendron 'Winsome' on the right and the myrtle at present named 'Amomyrtus apiculata' with heavily scented, cream coloured, double blooms in Spring in the centre of the picture.
The pond was dug in 1998 on the site of my aunt's dahlia bed. We aren't too keen on massed dahlias and our children's four goldfish needed a kinder home than a water barrel. Despite herons and seagulls, fed naturally on insect pondlife and wholemeal bread, the fish now number over 100.
The azalea Rhododendron augustinii forms a blue waterfall between Pieris formosa 'Wakehurst' and the earlier flowering Pieris japonica. This area was planted in 1953 and is home to a particularly striking lipstick-pink coloured Rhododendron 'Winsome' and many fine camellias such as the rareish white Camellia campsii 'alba' (now propagated by and available from The Duchy of Cornwall Nurseries). Also of note is the bright pink Camellia saluensis from the Salween River Valley in West Yunnnan in China.
The east path behind Sweet Chestnut Shade, one of Pansy's favourite walks. I have not yet been able to find the name of the pink rhododendron. (Come and help me!)
Yellow Porlock broom Genista 'Porlock' contrasts well with an old blue azalea Rhododenron which was labelled 'Penheale No. 2' which may or may not be its name, it appears to be unlisted.
When we began to rejuvenate the garden in earnest in 1998 many of the pathways were overgrown by shrubs so archways were erected to permit access. This leads to the South Lawn and supports the dark pink Clematis montana 'Elizabeth'.
A tranquil blend of pastels: a grey Pittosporum 'Garnettii' and a pink azalea Rhododendron 'Hinomayo' beside an Erica erigena.
Many years ago my aunt was given a handful of camellia seeds by J.C.Williams of Caerhays (the originator of the williamsii camellia strain) He told her to sow them, wait for them to flower and to chose the best to name after herself. She did this and Camellia x williamsii 'Moira Reid' is the result. In the fifty or so years since then many other camellia seedlings have been discovered, some have been kept and named after family members or given away to friends to do the same. A very few are for sale.
The Pergola by the pond is clothed in roses, wisteria and a Clematis montana 'Star' and a golden hop Humulus lupus 'Aureus'.
A sport of Marjory Fish's Astrantia major 'Shaggy', Astrantia major 'Moira Reid' was given an Award of Merit on 16th. July 1991 by the Royal Horticultural Society.
It is totally hardy, spreads politely and most of its seedlings come true to their parent. According to The Plant Finder it is widely available.
In full bloom for most of the Summer the grey-green flowers often measure as much as four inches across.
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