Posts Tagged ‘Focal points’
Caisson Gardens – a hidden gem
As our coach inched its way down the narrow country lane, the tall hedgerows of hawthorn and cow parsley on either side creating a leafy green tunnel, our sense of anticipation grew. When the coach could go no further, our adventurous tour guests hiked the last 0.2 miles on foot, before finally reaching the driveway…
Read MoreCreating Abundance: Lessons from Great Dixter
If there is one word that sums up traditional English gardens it is "abundance". You won't find individual plants separated like little islands by oceans of bare earth. Nor will you see the extensive use of groundcovers that we are so accustomed to in America. I often describe English gardens, especially cottage gardens as "friendly":…
Read MoreGarden Screen Solutions
We all want to hide something whether it's the neighbors or the trash cans, but before you rush off to the nearest box store for a generic screen – or plant a row of arborvitae ask yourself a few key questions: 1. How high does the screen need to be? Is this viewed from inside…
Read MoreHeligan: History, Romance & Adventure
Forget Hallmark movies for the Holiday feel-good factor. I've got a better story for you: The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Once upon a time, there was a vibrant estate in Cornwall, England called Heligan. The original Heligan Manor had been built in the 1200s, with Heligan House built in the Jacobean style in 1603, then…
Read MorePears & Parrots in Paradise
Tucked away down a dusty rural lane in the Franschhoek Valley, South Africa is one of the hidden gems we visited on our recent tour. In all fairness, we arrived shortly after unseasonably heavy rains had caused devastating landslides so visitors would normally have a much less adventurous arrival! Le Poirier is a small farm…
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