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Every visit to Dyrham Park reminds me of my studies at Bristol. There, I immersed myself in 17th century formal gardens and the magic of the 'outlandish'... Gerard, Parkinson and Rea make great companions!
 You can not beat Augusta Luise, the nostalgic rose from Rosen Tantau, Germany. This rose is best grown in the shade to preserve the delicate peachy colour. If exposed to full sun, the colour moves to a bright, reddish tone which is less attractive. The fragrance is irresistible.
"Teaching is the highest level of understanding."
The consolidation of knowledge can come through true mentorship; a symbiotic relationship if you will. After offering a short course to a small group of students, I realised again that learning should be continual and necessary to hone your skills. Moribana is an introductory and basic style that was developed to accommodate the foreign introductions to Japan after the arrival of the 'Black ships'. Until then, the Seika style was more common, as it utilised the native flora.
Forde Abbey in Springtime. What a glorious sight!
Exciting the next generation of gardeners is important. I found this 1982 children's book from Japan in my collection, and decided that it was a great example of illustrating what is under foot in the garden. This book enlightens the reader by realistically illustrating the structures that exist below the soil level. It is a simple concept, highlights the more common plant forms that a child might recognise, and places them in a familiar context. A very worthwhile read!
As an addendum to the last post, these photos illustrate that all is not as it may seem. Although the angles of house and hedge are reflected from the street view, the hedge actually meanders and mingles with the Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' giving it a different effect when viewed along the length of the south wall.
Architecture and Garden Design can and should go hand in hand. Inspiration between house and garden may or may not be obvious but can enhance the overall design. The identical photographs above attempt to illustrate this connection. The architect is Dutch and therefore I attempted a Dutch connection by using planting materials commonly seen in Holland. The inverted angle in the beech hedge purposefully reflects the roof line. The hedging on the roof also extends the architectural line, completing a composition that meshes house and garden. The fact that this is the south face of the building makes it an extremely hot area in high summer.
 Of all the skills that I acquired from my grandfather, I should have focussed on mushrooms which was one of his specialities. The specimen featured above was beautiful to look at, but will require research to identify.
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DouglasHas lived in Budapest for many years. He loves the climate and the gardens that flourish there. He has travelled extensively in North America, Europe and Asia in search for gardens of inspiration. Archives
February 2018
Garden Design |
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