Karen Wagner garden & design

wedding days....

2012-03-02T17:08:00.000+11:00

This summer we have been having lots of fun.....we are designing lots of gardens and have been privileged to be asked to do some wedding flowers for a friend.

What a treat....and we thought they came up ok.

Its great to do lots of diverse things and have a bit of fun.

Hope you like the wedding flowers.

A big thankyou to my friend Wendy for her help and inspiration....always up for an adventure with me....thanks Wendy!

all ready to be delivered....

these were my handy models.....not the bridesmaids!

Lovely wedding.... congratulations!

just a little garden inspiration....

2012-02-21T13:53:00.000+11:00

Sometimes it helps to be reminded that there are fabulous gardens out there......
just reach for the stars....when you think its impossible, just remember there are people creating amazing and inspiring and almost unbelievable things all the time....it really is possible.

"...I dare say you haven't had much practice", said the Queen. "When I as your age I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast" (Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll)

there's garden art in the streets of the world

2012-02-15T09:04:00.000+11:00

Lotus flower installations by Choi Jeung Hwa...a really interesting artist who now does these motorized inflatable lotus flowers. There is one at the Sydney Botanic Gardens - a big bright red one. They inflate and deflate and are fascinating...I really like these.

Moss Art...A Moss Cross in London for the Urban Physic garden. A growing sculpture...this appeals to me.

These hanging pots by boskke sky planters are interesting. Of course, I instinctively liked them and was intriqued.... but I did wonder just why you need plants looking at you upside down....my practical nature come out sometimes.
But then I saw them in the picture below in the kitchen for herbs and realised....Yep, I could do that...that could be a bit funky and fun and practical. Ticks a few boxes then!

Back to the garden

2012-02-02T13:32:00.000+11:00

So sorry for my lack of communication over the last month but I have taken the opportunity of a bit of good weather and school holidays to spend some time doing vacation and family things. Always a pleasant thing to do and wonderful to rejuvenate the batteries a little at this time of year.

We (at KWGD) have also been concentrating on quite a bit of gardening and gardens for clients over the January hiatus. We have even had some lovely weather to get out and accomplish some new things in my own garden.

So, Now we are officially back at it....but I'm quite excited and eager to get going....it's shaping up to be a great fun year with lots happening. We have lots of gardens to design and think about and get constructed and are starting to think about doing some new orders of interesting, practical and delicious things for the garden store.

Great news......We are just about to go online with our garden store so you can peruse and buy at your leisure whenever you feel like it and see what we have to offer you easily.

I think this is going to be particularly exciting and I'm looking forward to it all happening really soon. Hopefully within the next week or two....so watch out for that one.

I've also taken some time to think about whats happening in the garden world and read some books and look at lots of websites and start accumulating ideas for the year. Always lots of fun.....there really are so many people doing fabulous things...its rather inspiring and daunting at the same time.

Heres a few interesting things I stumbled across....

I've been picking lots of flowers from the garden lately and quite enjoying the naturalistic, wild look that is easy to achieve at this time of the year....I quite like the idea of a flower chandelier.

treehouse hotels around the world....now this could be an interesting way to have a garden holiday...always up for an adventure

or maybe just an out there cubby for the backyard....

Ever wondered how to understand the plant hardiness zones when reading American garden books. Well apparenlty now its easy.... just realeased the new usda hardiness zones maps and explainations.

Finding a wedding ring on a swedish carrot.......I quite like this as my darling husband lost his wedding ring when we were planting one of our vineyards not long after we were married. So maybe there is hope that one day the ring might just pop up again...never know.

I found this great article on tomatoes varieties by the very well known Ken Druse. A good starter for next year maybe. And his books are interesting too...this is his new one.

the most wonderful creations out of wood and naturel branches by charlie baker

christmas festive spirit

2011-12-23T16:13:00.000+11:00

T'was the night before christmas and all through the house.....

Well, finally it is almost upon us...only how many sleeps to go???

I have bought the sparkling (a christmas essential!!) and am dying for work to finish so I can open it.

I almost have the presents organised and just the wrapping, cooking, finalising business, staff party, dog toys, biscuits and stuffed turkey to go. Have I missed anything?

I have even managed to do the Christmas decorations and get the house in order....

Its been a busy few weeks with lots of people in the garden store to buy presents, trees and generally share some bon ami. It's lovely to catch up with so many people. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and wonderful New Year.....and lots of rest and lovely family or friends to enjoy celebrations with.

Thankyou to everyone who has supported us for the last 4 years and especially for this past year. We have had another great year with lots of fun, great gardens and the nicest people....many of who I am pleased to say have become friends.

I thought I would share some of the lovely things we managed to do in the house this year to decorate for christmas...much of it thanks to my wonderful children.....well done girls.

this is the most beautiful fresh wreath that a rather clever friend of mine made for me...thankyou...maybe we will talk her into doing them for the store next year...

....and these are all the other things I thought were great but never got time to do.....maybe next year but great ideas......

Merry Christmas to All and to All....a good night! Bon noel!

christmas tree inspiration

2011-12-09T16:10:00.000+11:00

With those fresh cut Killicrankie Farm christmas trees due to arrive Friday next week, I suddenly realised I might need a little inspiration for the decoration for the tree this year.

Definitely lots and lots of tiny christmas tree lights....always ....because of their of little firefly glow and twinkle that is irresistable and never fails to give a definite warm and fuzzy feeling.

But then should I have a colour theme.....or just do a lovely mix and match of the things I have tucked away. These range from expensive porcelin hand painted ornaments -very exquisite- right through to the rather crushed and tattered precious daughters makings from a long time ago in year 1 at primary school.

So here goes....a few ideas and inspirations....baubles, colours, gingerbread, cottonwool balls!!, candles, real and dried fruit, urns and tubs, stars and sparkles.....something for everyone.

snap snow fresh peas

2011-12-01T09:13:00.000+11:00

At this time of year I am trying to remember to sow my snap peas, snow peas and varieties of beans every 3-4 weeks to get a continuing supply throughout my summer months.

Its a bit of a struggle this year as one of my main antagonists is the black birds, which love ferretting out those juicy succulent pea and bean seeds once they are planted and have had a few days absorbing moisture and are just starting to uncurl their dicots sprouts......aaahhhhhgggggg.
So late one night struggling to think up a good looking effective remedy, I remembered how impressed I was with the garden growing structures last time I was in England and France. That has to be my solution. Construct a fabulous looking growing frame, temporarily swath it in netting to keep those birdies at bay, whisk it off when the seeds are well sprouted...like unswathing a fabulous sculpture....and then enjoy the growing produce....sounds easy at least.

I was then lucky enough to be offered some freshly cut poles from a local that are perfect for building wonderful classic structures with....voila.
Under construction in my back yard!!!
Although I think we will be employing the KISS principle for starters.

We have excess poles in the store if anyone is wanting some of them for their own creations. Straight, long, beautiful, textured and interesting. Get to it.....now is the time to create something fabulous, french and tres practical at the same time...
In the meantime, here is some inspiration for just how to go about it all.....

If anyone comes up with something fabulous ...would love to see the pictures.
Happy framing and enjoy all those yummy peas and beans.

Fresh Christmas Trees

2011-11-21T21:19:00.000+11:00

I am finding myself happily sliding into the Christmas spirit and enjoying the thought of a little christmas bling planning and of course I think there will be lots of green for this year. I oscillate year to year from contemporary wire or branchy trees right through to the traditional green over the top tall European style Christmas tree - it just depends on the year and the mood of the family really.

I do however really enjoy using lots of green and greenery for christmas and my family always love a freshly cut living tree that gives a piney resinous aroma to the house. So this year we have decided definitely a real green tree. We will hang it with lots of sparkly lights and a few special ornaments both homely hand made and upmarket heirloom porcelin. Viola, who could resist that traditional Christmas feel.

...the only problem I had was finding a fabulous green tree.

So I recently had a chat with Lee from Killicrankie Farm who are growing Christmas trees on their farm in the Tamar Valley. We also decided that I wasn't the only person wanting a lovely carefully grown and selected green live tree in Hobart.
So we hatched a plan and now its possible to place an order for your Fresh Cut Christmas Tree to pick up at Karen Wagner garden design on 1st December.

As you can see from the lovely pictures from the paddock, these aren't spindly skinny trees, these are lush shapely full green trees that will give the most fabulous Christmas tree. I was impressed.

Don't miss out. Let us know soon and order one on the killicrankie on line store website.

Or contact us directly at Karen Wagner garden design. (03) 6234 1245.

in store.....a few of our favourite things

2011-11-15T20:53:00.000+11:00

As always happens at this time of the year, there are lots of fun and interesting things coming in store and we have picked our favourites for this week to share....yes christmas is coming and we are all thinking of present lists to send to santa.....

outdoor metal stools and handy christmas gifts

classic trugs .....always useful and beautiful.

whimsical hanging garden ornaments

amazing cinnamon votives....made of cinnamon wood and smells divine.

this could be the favourite of the week I think....we all love it....hanging egg chair. Big enough to curl up in with a book and amazingly comfortable.

beautiful hand made and recycled glass

one of my favourite decorations for this year... slightly unusual but quite groovy

classic wire pot holders for indoors or outdoors.

coloured letters and numbers. white, charcoal, red, yellow. a great size and we all love these.

a bit of christmas time bling......

for the gardener who loves beautiful things...great wooden handle shears - very french- and great english topiary shears - clip clip.

lots of wreaths for christmas and other times of the year. magnolias are beautiful anytime.

hang these with tealights for lovely lights in trees, amongst decorations and on the christmas table..

We've also extended our opening hours so we are now open Tuesday to Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-1.
have a great week....more during the week as we unpack all those boxes....
Enjoy the sunshine ...and see you on Saturday for our paeony tour.

a special paeony farm tour

2011-11-13T19:36:00.000+11:00

If you love paeonies, then this is the time of the year to see, buy them, have them flowering in the garden and filling vases in the house. We absolutely love them and I look forward to their short but blazingly beautiful season every year.
Luckily, we have been invited back to view the paeony farm & the gardens where our best locally grown paeonies that we always have in store at this time of year come from. There is also lots of other things happening on farm which is interesting and exciting.

Come and join us for a fabulous afternoon on the 19th November. We'd love to have you as part of our party.

Find all the details via our facebook page or KWDG Weston paeony tour.
Dont forget to book and pay as quick as you can- we can only take a limited number of people.

See you there.

the man with the bronze walnut

2011-10-30T11:40:00.000+11:00

Wow, where does the week go sometimes.....
We are gardening, installing and designing gardens madly at the moment....well I suppose it is spring....and having a ball with all this lovely green growth, blossom and flowers shining at us.
Suddenly this week, I've realised Christmas is just around the corner....and although its sometimes better not to think about it, I have promised the Christmas decorations in store and looking fab by 1st November. So this Tuesday, we are rearranging and setting up for all those lovely things Christmas brings.

But in the meantime, there is a lovely story I would like to share about finds at Chelsea.

When I was at Chelsea in May, I stumbled across a small stall there that was connected to a foundry which did the lovliest sculptures. We weren't really intersted in things like this as it was a bit impossible to take home, but for some reason we were drawn in.

At the back of the stall on a little stool tucked away was a lovely collection of bronze cast life size walnuts. They opened up like a little jewellery box and were totally irresistable, so being a good price, I just couldn't resist having something special like this to bring home with me.

When I returned home, I pondered the idea of having a few special things like this in the store from the clever and lovely man, Robert from Felix foundry who was making these little treasures.
He hadn't ever considered sending things to Tasmania little-own Australia and really the these walnuts were sort of a side line ....but being generous of nature and with my wonderful powers of persuasion... I convinced him that it would be perfect to have them in my little store on the other side of the world.

So he has sent me the last 5 he had for this year.....hopefully he will do some more next year....cross your fingers and toes. They are instore now and we admire them everyday. Great for a gift or something special just for yourself.

Oh by the way come and find us on facebook Karen Wagner garden design Hobart, if you like to keep up to date every few days with all that is happening.....like those lovely bunches of peonies we are gettign every week at the moment....don't miss out.

contemporary garden art & pots

2011-10-21T11:29:00.000+11:00

I stumbled across these fabulous contemporary fluid outdoor pots and sculptures recently...it's great to see wonderful, unique and exciting pieces turning up that are done for gardens.

These are by a French Canadian sculpture Marie Khouri who in collaboration with a Canadian landscape architect produced these wonderful curvy individual planters and seats. They are divine...

I love them.

source garden design photos by Dave Demers

the parallel universe of giant pumpkins..

2011-10-17T11:13:00.000+11:00

WOW....I found this endearing article when flicking through some older New Zealand house & garden magazines recently. I do love NZ H&G as its always interesting and just a little different to our Australian take on things, and they have beautiful views, countryside, interiors and exteriors.

This lovely letter from a reader about his and his children's giant pumpkins brought a smile to my face. I got thinking about those mad Americans to whom growing mighty big pumpkins is a yearly challenge and lifestyle almost. There are lots of interesting very mid-west American looking countrified websites out there all about giant pumpkins, winners, world records and vast essays on how to grow them. Isn't the internet a wonderful thing...it makes the world seem all that bit smaller and more homely sometimes.

I also was reminded about the times I had visited our very own Bream Creek Show in Tasmania, and we had awed and ahhed at the giant pumpkins. Well hop onto the website because growing giant pumpkins is becoming a bit of a show stopper and there is lots of encouragement and information to get you on track and started. What a fun thing to do!

If you have the space and inclination, then now that Hobart show week is upon us, and it is planting time for tomatoes, zucchinis and all things tender, it may be a good time to really gear up and get enthused and get those pumpkins seeds well and truly underway. (I hope its not too late to get them going)

I certainly wouldn't mind having a go myself....unfortunately my back yard is slightly small...but suddenly I could consider the heady competition of growing enormous pumpkins and entering the Bream Creek Show. Anyone keen???.

a most magnificent wedding

2011-10-12T14:25:00.000+11:00

Just recently, I had the good fortune and privilege of attending a friends wedding. This wasn't just any old wedding....this was more like the wedding of every girls' dreams. A beautiful Australian country wedding with garden flowers, a huge white marquees, wild country paddocks, jewels, frocks, toughened boys in smart grey morning suits, laughter, joy and some tears. A bit like a chocolate box full of luscious favourite centres.

My family and I travelled from Hobart all the way to country NSW out the back of Scone. We were very lucky to stay with the groom's family, as my hubbie was best man for the occasion. They live on a large property in a homestead that has seen generations of the same family grow up, and all the family was home for the occasion so there were about a dozen children and nearly as many adults. Think comfortable well appointed rambling rooms, luxury sleepouts, covered verandas, rambling country garden, big old trees, a generous kitchen at the heart of proceedings, linen, love and laughter. It was crazy and fun and generous and we enjoyed long table dinners with much toasting and great food......but on to the wedding.

...out the back of Scone...

The Wedding itself was tear jerkingly beautiful of course. Held in a little sandstone country church in almost the middle of nowhere, the bride wore traditional white, the groom got nervous and we all enjoyed our frocks and hats for the occasion.

The flowers were all done by the ladies of the district who have watched both the groom and bride grow up. It was their loving contribution to the day, and the flowers were from all the gardens in the district and there were buckets and buckets and buckets of them of every assortment. The resulting giant gardenesque bouquets were romantic, old-fashioned, striking and not a patch on anything you could ever hope to get in a city florist shop.

buckets and buckets and

buckets of flowers from beautiful gardens in the district.

that turned into the most romantic, blousey bouquets.

exceptional!

...the bride on the way down the isle.

an enormous marque in the paddock..

set in a enormous rambling, impressive country garden...

..generations have enjoyed this exceptional country homestead...

Despite dreams of hot spring days and cool frocks, the weather didn't cooperate and it was cold and rainy nearly the whole time.....but the show went on and continued on into the depths of the evening.

It was one of the most fabulous and memorial experiences we as a family will ever have.

today in store.......

2011-10-06T18:02:00.000+11:00

We seem to be overrun by obelisks of every size at the moment.

Many are made locally, are very simple but work wonderfully to give height and interest in the garden.

We get them made to almost any size.

Tall skinny ones, rounder squatter ones (hiding behind)...

our talles triangular ones...

For almost any garden with or without plants added. They can look wonderful with climbers or clematis on them or to give great height in the vegetable garden.
And the plants are enjoying some quick time in a downpour....

great hanging basket....something that is rare to come by these days.

getting ready for summer with sling back chairs for sunny days and a relax in the back yard. And some great botanical prints back in store that look wonderful when framed.

from entanglements.... a very impressive laser cut steel 3 metre long metal wall piece. Looks really wonderful with lights behind it illuminating the new growth of leaves.

these lovely rusted finials have been really popular.

Our newest giant garden photo in store and lots of new pots and fabulous amish barn stars.

pot holders, string and a few festive wreath basics arriving.

an old gate in classic green.....

great pots and ideas

2011-09-30T10:00:00.002+10:00

How does one make a collection of pots work and look good. All too often they start to look messy and there are just simply too many of them.
These two pictures gave me some really great ideas

mix and match pots with similiar types of plants...succulents which of course are popular at the moment and rightly so.....they give a great look when done nicely and are so very easy to look after.

garden illustrated magazine aug 2010

how to make a collections of bits and pieces in pots look ok. organise it onto a plant stand.....great idea and looks geat in the right corner.

inspire me.....

2011-09-25T20:57:00.000+10:00

There are lots of things spinning around in my head at the moment. I gave up yesterday and went and gardened in the sun for a few hours to try and calm the madness.
I have lots of design work on my desk and in my head that I am trying to sort and extract onto paper with a sense of order and interest - a courtyard, large town garden, moderate sized country garden and a conservatory and interior area that adjoins it.
Its not all bad....(its lots of fun actually) .... so I have been focussing my ideas and looking at books, magazines and extracting pictures from my head for ideas and inspiration. I have been collecting some great ideas for a thought board for a couple of jobs and thought I would share. These are mostly modernistic and inspring for the right places and I'm trying to capture the feeling and add new, classic and fabulous twists and turns.

Hope everyone has had a great weekend in all this fabulous weather. Sunshine and blossom are a wonderful and absolutley 'feel good' combination.

a few fab new bits and pieces

2011-09-18T21:01:00.000+10:00

I've spent lots of lovely time with my family over these school holidays especially my teenagers which has been really fun and interesting - they make me laugh and cry!.
There are so many great things to do in Tassie - I've discovered things all over again. I have also dedicated a few mild sunny mornings to finally getting on top of my garden after neglecting it for a while through my busy year - a little weeding now will mean I might be organised and set up for the summer.
Now all those things from my recent buying trips have started to dribble in and its time to get head down and back to work I think- unpacking, cleaning, sorting. Like these lovely French baskets...they are from Les Halles markets and you see them used for fruit and vegetables throughout all of the markets in france.

these vegetable and fruit storage racks are wonderful, stackable and versitile.

fabulous marrons glace boxes. These lovely morsels of chestnut in sugary syrup are a delicacy and it takes a whole 4 days tomake them properly. These boxes don't have the lovely sugary chestnuts in them but are great for kitchens and presents. (about 30cmx 15cmx10cm)

some lovely new things from the Miss Jones range....always very popular.

these mesh tea light lamps are great for indoors or outdoors.

lots of lovely pots for smaller plants, table tops, bathroom, dining, and indoor plants.

some lovely versatile glassware. We have been having lots of fun putting plants into our glassware with great success. Try succulents, babies tears or indoor plants for easy care or potted colour or cyclamens for a spring lift through the house.

some lovely indoor plants to inspire and this gorgeous zinc bucket with a tap!.

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend enjoying the weather and for those of us who are finishing the school holidays....hope it was fun. Enjoy.

its decision time in the vegetable plot

2011-09-16T22:27:00.000+10:00

I only have a small vegetable plot despite having dreamy thoughts of rows upon rows of vegetables and flowers. I certainly dwell on the concept of those wonderful plots at Chateau de Chenonceau (hectares and hectares) and West Dean's neat rows of vegetables in English countryside......awe-inspiring that they are and definitely the stuff of day-dreams....Of course these are serviced by lots of gardeners which I have no access to.....but they look great and give feel good abundance that is hard to emulate in a small vege plot.

Rows and rows at Chateau de Chenonceau in Loire France for both flowers and vegetables of every description.

oh for hectares of space and a team of at least 10 full time gardeners! (Chenonceau)

Rows of varieties in the walled garden at West Dean. At least 3-4 varieties of each vegetable is planted to show the difference and the variation. It covers over a hectare and is inspiring.

25 varieties of basil, sourced from all over the world, planted out early in the immaculate glasshouses.

So having put some of my dreams aside, I have to make some tough decisions this year. I have only 4 1.2x1.2m plots to grow my greens at the moment...the flowers and herbs have moved into the main gardens and can make a mess there for a while. There is only limited space so how do I decide out of all those wonderful vegetables in the seed catalogue of just the few that I am going to grow.

Of course I need lots of salad leafs of every description - rocket, spinach, tat soi and mini cos. I am hampered for some of the space by the crop of broccoli coming on that was slow taking off this year so will have to wait for that to finish, and i do love to grow a big crop of broad beans. There is nothing like fresh radish for fresh vegetables and spicy olive oil platters through summer.

I want to grow stripey beetroot again this year and i have to have at least two varieties of carrots because they are such fun to grow and you can use them for garnish when little to thin them out.

And summer wouldn't be complete without snap peas, snow peas, fresh peas and two varieties of beans. I think we will have green and purple ones this year. I had thoughts of borlotti beans this year - but I think there just isn't going to be space......I need a much bigger plot obviously.....

But I'm going to just fit as much in as possible in what I have and remember this year to plant salad crops every three weeks to make it all work.

Or come up with some new ideas of where to grow things.....up the walls maybe...I have a few sunny walls.....
or maybe some large willow planters at the sunniest spot near the back door for the overflow...

big red ....composter

2011-09-10T09:30:00.000+10:00

If you enjoy gardening, then that usually means you like to get your fingers a little dirty, feel really good about recycling and especially about creating compost. Particularly when you get to use it yourself all around your vegie garden or on the newly planted seedlings.

There is something very satisfying about creating compost :- turning smelly peelings and fruit bits into thick black unctuous soil like compound - and then actually using it.....its a little like the magic of alchemy. It's also deceptively easy to do.

But like a lot of gardening things it can take up a bit too much space in the essential part of the garden and really composters can be an eyesore. So a creative solution is often needed...

Well I have a solution.... I saw these wonderful composters that are reminisant of bee hives and work just as cleverly when I was in the UK a number of years ago. Now we are having them made right here by a lovely local firm in Tasmania. And we have a lovely red one that looks great in the garden. (We do have some plain ones too or you can paint it any colour you like really). They come apart bit by bit at each level when all is ready, so you can easily access and remove your compost onto the garden and then start the process all over again in exactly the same spot if you need to.

Perfect for large or small gardens or just for gardens that don't have space for having things hidden away.

Our big red composter in store......looks great in the garden

This is a very practical application with the small vegetable and herb garden, the pizza oven and the composters all up one end of the garden away from what could be at the other end.......the next picture shows what could be up the other end.....

Or put this great looking composter in amongst the flowers and grow whatever you like in your compost. It could be good for for an enormous pumpkin plant this summer.

A few tips to make composting easy..... add all your veg and fruit and organic kitchen scraps. Go lightly on things like oranges, lemons and other citrus,egg shells and particularly meat scraps. You can include tea leaves and coffee grounds. Every now and again add some mown grass or pea straw or similiar to the compost bin especially if your compost tends to be a bit too wet. You don't want it too wet or too dry. Natural decomposition needs a little moisture to operate effectively.

The best way to compost is in a pile in a container that creates the right conditions for breakdown....don't be tempted to throw your vege scraps straight onto your garden beds...its not effective and just attracts rats and mice really.

Have some fun....

the tallest of trees

2011-09-09T20:17:00.000+10:00

I snuck off again today for a little excursion....off to the derwent valley. It was crisp and clear and fabulous at first until the rain caught us and it was wet but not really grey. Still colourful and interesting.
We took the Russell Falls walk in Mt Field National Park and I was completed delighted by the dripping green lushness of the forest as we walked through it. It was inspiring and almost like being in another world. An enchanted one at that. Its only a short walk and we had the place all to ourselves and as we came out the other end towards people and cars and normality it was a bit off putting. It was so enjoyable looking at the plants and the trees.....not everyones cup of tea but I don't say this as a horticulturist.....just as someone who really enjoyed the experience. If you haven't done it, then definitely do. Its unique and wonderful.

lush green moss over every surface....this may not be moss...I may have it wrong. Its on the ground, on the trees, everywhere. its soft and lush and you could almost lie down in it.

a slightly enchanted wonderland...use your imagination here.... it was romantic and enchanted at the time!

this is how Dicksonia antartica (our well loved tree fern) should really look. We see it often plonked into front yards but this is in its glory. If we are going to use them in gardens they should be in this shady slightly wet environment forming a wonderful canopy of fronds with dappled light.

fat bottomed trees make the rocking world go round!! And they were so tall we could barely see the tops

We also ventured to the salmon ponds as the light and the last of the sun finished for the afternoon and watched and fed the marvellous fish. It just makes you laugh to go and feed massive mad fish. The salmon ponds gardens are beautiful especially with their late winter branches and green lawns. Its a parkland setting and I am so looking forward to my picnic in the park that I am going to embark on in summer. I am already planning the menu.

this was up the driveway with its skeletal populars. Wonderful. I am going back to take pictures of contrasting green in summer.

A trip to New Norfold/Derwent valley wouldn't be complete without dropping into the Drill Hall Emporium. As usual beautiful things, superbly presented. We picked out two things each that we would love to buy. I think I may have to go back and get something.

The only thing missing is somewhere fabulous to go for lunch.....! Is there anywhere good in the valley??

What a great day out....

a day out to MONA...!

2011-09-06T11:16:00.000+10:00

With school holidays happenning and spring skies encouraging a little outdoor activity, I snuck a day off to go and play. We went to MONA (Museum of Old & New Art) at Morilla, as despite lots of promises, I hadn't made the effort to get there until now, and its long overdue.
It was fantastic....of course......doesn't everyone keep saying that.
There were some amazingly clever contemporary installations as well as great collections of antiquities. Things that really do make you go Aaahhhh!
David Walsh has put together an amazing and interesting collection that is unique and awe inspiring and is presented to the ultimate degree.

The weather being truly Tasmanian meant we got all four seasons in one day - fairly normal for this time of year. We caught the ferry up the river Derwent to the MONA dock which was great fun despite a few drops of rain on the way home and climbed the 99 steps to the top.

The outside roof garden is doing fabulously well - it needs a little weeding but overall is impressive. In fact the whole thing is impressive.

ships ahoy....on the ferry up the river..... beautiful view down the river.

the roof top garden with a fabulous view. doing really well.

amazing artworks and installations everywhere.....

And then on the way home I had time to go and have a look at a few things I have been meaning to do. I dropped into Bottega Rotolo, a newish Italian inspired cafe, food shop, and cheese room. They also do cooking classes.

I couldn't resist these little floral icing titbits.....

which then inspired one of my daughters to make little cupcakes to pop them on. They got gobbled up very quickly but I just had time to snap a lovely picture.

What a great day out....
Note to self.....do it more often.......

a few new favourite books now in store

2011-08-26T11:37:00.000+10:00

...I love books and can't resist having fabulous garden and home books in store.
I look to books and magazines and blogs constantly for inspiration and ideas and to see all the latest things.

Two of these books are relatively new releases that have crossed my desk lately and are really lovely.

Luciano Giubbilei does formal but tranquil gardens in the true Italianate style with layers and layers of green. They form wonderful formal oasis to live in and make life easy in terms of maintenance!.

The New Eighteenth Century Home is full of absolutely fabulous things. You could look at it for weeks and see something new everytime. I love the use of outdoor things brought inside to create beautiful but simple panoramas.

How's that for a dovecote!!

True Form has been around for a while but I go back to it again and again for its simplicity and constant source of ideas.

hampton court

2011-08-23T14:07:00.000+10:00

After visiting England, I am now a convert to the extravaganza that is THE Chelsea Flower show (see my blog about it if you missed it from May). I finally understand what all the fuss has been about for years and have embraced the inevitable show fever.

But with summer in full swing in the northern hemisphere it seems I need to broaden my horizons a little I think......

I have it on good authority from an lovely well connected English lady with a fabulous English accent, that really the best place one should go is to Hampton Court Flower Show. Chelsea is all well and good but its crowded and full of "wanna..be's" apparently.

Hampton Court Palace Flower Show on the other hand is almost certainly guaranteed better weather, is much more fun, less crowded and all the important people still go.

I unfortunately am languishing back in the Australian colony again, so am having to have a peak at all the gardens and winners on their website.
Not quite as fabulous as being there but it gives you the idea.

I want one....or two

2011-08-10T13:05:00.001+10:00

I want an indoor plant wall....and I think I have figured out how to do it easily.

Indoor plants are making a come back. Definitely lush.
Great for indoor spaces and creating clean air.

These are all from woolly pockets, made from recycled plastic and felt and water proof for indoor plant walls. The ideas for their uses are endless and they look great in any situation.

We have done one in store just this week and it worked brilliantly.
This is a 3 pocket in black newly planted and it was easy to do.

We needed two peolple to help hang it.We now have the 3 pocket and 1 pocket in store ready to go for the adventurous person wanting to do their own planting.

These are a great way to have a wall feature that is green and inspiring.

It really does look like living wall art........
I love it and I am going to do one for home now.

One for the kitchen full of herbs would be great also.

tasmanian awe!

2011-08-05T17:12:00.000+10:00

I am very lucky that i get to hop in my car and travel all over the place as I visit clients and their gardens. The consultation service I run for gardeners and those wanting to garden means I see lots of people every week and see lots of different places.
And often i just forget how lovely the countryside is until i am in it again. I have been lucky enough to go to a few wonderful but not out of the way places lately on late winter days that are cool, clear and immeasurably still. Windless, beautiful and reflections shining back at you from the water....
They are quite awesome (or sicknuts as I am told is the new awesome!!...but we won't even go into that! - ask your teenagers if you don't know what I am talking about...) Its lovely to be reminded of how close to our cities the beauty, peace and untouched landscape is.

The views are all hazy bluey grey and deep purples and have the effect of taking your breath and hearbeat down to moderate in our stressed lives and giving a calm ahhhh just when you need it.

These photos aren't of the gardens I've visited lately but the amazing and inspiring scenery I have travelled past. Its leaves me happy and in awe for the rest of the day and totally thankful that i can live somewhere that gives me an experience worth smiling about.

Its also incredibly inspring when you are making and working with people to make gardens, to remember & be reminded of the colours, forms, spaces and monuments of nature.

incredible colours and views.....surely one should be used to it by now??

winter orchards have a special form colour and look all of their own and say so much about the tasmanian contrasting countryside. nature and agriculture in the one majestic spot

and of course the requirements of agriculture commerce and apples and fruit that we love. straight across from awesome views and water. fabulous in their own tottering castle.

what colours...no wonder I sometimes love to use pink....this wonderful shade of vibrant pink is natural!

vertical green walls are the in thing!

2011-07-20T13:57:00.000+10:00

I keep reading with interest about vertical living walls and I have been having a few little experiments of my own to try and figure out the best way to do them. I particularly want one indoors as despite it all I really quite like indoor plants when they are beautiful and lush....a small part of me left over from growing up in the 70's!

This one below is one I particularly like that I found lately and it should give a little inspiration if you are inclined to try it! It's at the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square, London and the idea was to bring to life the original Van Gogh painting “A Wheatfield with Cypresses", painted in September 1889.

The original Van Gogh painting.

This massive scale wall was Installed by a specialist horticulture and design company ANS with each plant selected to try and match the original painting. More than 8,000 plants of 26 varieties have been used to create the artwork.
If you are lucky enough to be in London, the wall will remain through out the English Summer and Autum until October 2011. Rather amazing wouldn't you say...!

So in that spirit and inspired by all that is going on, we have been scouring the globe and have found some of the best ways of making green walls and have the makings of both indoor and outdoor vertical gardens coming in store in the next few weeks.
We are getting Woolly Pockets out of the US which I am quite excited about as I am going to definitely do an indoor one. They can be used to create the most lush and lovely indoor and outdoor hanging plant displays - just like having your garden indoors which is rather essential through some of these rainy grey months of winter. They are also sustainable and made from recycled products, so are great all round really. Will let you know as soon as they are here.

We also have some structured plastic outdoor wall modules coming that are working beautifully. They can be used to create contemporary or traditional looks in all sorts of outdoor positions and it seems they are going to be very reasonably priced.

This is definitely the way of the future and now its going to be accessable to anyone for gardening on wall spaces at home as well on any building you can think of. We could make all of hobart green! The mind is in overdrive...I am making plans. Watch out for things popping up all over the place.

colour & plants indoors

2011-07-13T12:10:00.000+10:00

One of the things I am always struck by when I venture out of Australia, is how much pots of colour and indoor plants are prominant in the winter indoor decorating genre. It's something that we seldom embrace whole heartedly in our environment. Maybe that comes from our overexposure to larger than life indoor plants in the 70's. I can certainly remember them in their macrame hangers....!

For the new era we are now in....there are plenty of lovely ways to do both indoor plants and indoor colour.

I love vases and lovely glass containers with plants and flowering plants in them. I have had primulas and violas at this time of the year in glass pots for over 6 weeks and they are still looking great. Maintenance is easy and they keep on keeping on.

Buxus, succulents, orchids also look great in ornamental pots or glass for the indoors at this time of the year and you can see some of their roots and enjoy having a real plant indoors.

We are finding out now just how good for you it is to have plants in your indoor environment. They bring joy in the dead of winter and help to purify your air. Sound like a good alternative to flowers to me and much longer lasting.

We've got some instore now...all $30 and under. More coming all the time as we are really enjoying this.

wonderful leaves

2011-07-04T10:02:00.000+10:00

Every now and again, you find something really special that is irresistible. This is one of those....

Leaf-It are lovely post it or sticky notes that are in the shape of leaves. They come in different sizes and two colours.
Made in Korea by some clever designers called Appree, they are really fun and special.

They come in a variety of packets and range from $6.50 to $13.50.

Quite the perfect little gift
Naturally inspired and quite adorable.
It’s the perfect gardeners' assistant to help save a place while leafing through magazines and books and possibly the cutest way to leave little notes.

This range also has lovely water droplet magnets that you will find in store. And wonderful ginko and maple leaf sticky notes are on their way in the next batch..... enjoy these in the meantime.

Growing Garlic

2011-07-04T09:38:00.000+10:00

Growing garlic is fun & easy and it is one of the most useful things to grow in the garden - not only because its great to eat and keep colds away and helps to make you healthy, but because the flowers are wonderful through the garden and its great for companion planting for lots of plants.

It was always the 'rule of thumb' I thought that you planted garlic and most of the onion family at the winter soltice, or shortest day of the year for harvesting after the longest day of the year. This apparently is sort of right but I haven't got it quite right and its a bit more complicated than that..... you can plant garlic now and still harvest successfully, but its also good to get it in earlier during Autumn.

Sometimes it depends on the variety but from all the reading I have done it really doesn't matter for our cool climate. I imagine that planting it in Autumn would mean better and fatter bulbing by the time you harvest.

So...if you are like me and have missed the autumn planting then get some in now. I just buy bulbs from the shop and put them in. Separate the bulblets, plant at about 5 cm deep and try to make sure they are right side up. Don't plant any that are squishy, moulded or not healthy.

They dont' like to be too wet as the bulbs will rot and disappear. Mound the soil if you need to. I plant mine all through the garden and let half it go all the way to flowering as it is lovely to have huge allium flowers in the garden.

Hyacinths for indoors

2011-06-27T09:59:00.000+10:00

It really is easy.

Hyacinth vases come in a variety of different types, colours and sizes - the common theme being that you can hold a hyacinth bulb in the top. They are rapidly becoming collectors items...but we have a collection of inexpensive usable ones in store ($15). It is almost getting a bit late - but if it appeals to you have a go.

I have found that you don't need to put them in a cupboard. Just pop the hyacinth bulb in the top, fill with water just up to the bottom of the bulb. you don't want it swamped with water or it will rot. Just to its bottom sot he roots can grow down into the water. All the instructions will tell you to put a piece of charcoal in the water. i have had success with and without it. Then put them in a well light but not sunny spot and let them go. the roots and shoots will grow and eventually you will have a flower. Don't put it too close to heaters.

One of the greatest challenges is finidng good quality hyacingth bulbs - but I do it every year as I love the scent of hyacinth flowers throughout the house. Its subtle and sweet and thouroughly enjoyable. And they look great.

The kids love doing them also - big and small. Its a win/win for everyone.

A few special things

2011-06-27T09:44:00.000+10:00

ARHHH! I have settled back into my normal chaotic life...sometimes it feels like I have never been away. It has taken me weeks to catch up on the enormous pile sitting on my desk....how can so much accumulate in a short 4-5 weeks. But I am almost there.

The good news is, that there are some special things trickling into the shop that I organised after seeing them in England or France.

And we are full to bursting with lovely things and I am full to bursting with new ideas thatI want to try. I should have time now.

These journals I spied in France and had to have one. Now we have them in store....they are a great size and are have lovely botanical pictures on them. Great for garden notes, in your handback or a well priced present. $12

Inspired by many things I have seen in France, I have been putting together some potted plants that are more reminiscent of terrariums. Great for indoors especially at this time of year. $ 75

No gardener should be without GO GO Juice. I discovered it not long ago and have been using it to make everything grow and look fabulous in the garden. I gave Mum some to try also and she is now convinced its the best things for vegetables and fruit. A small amount goes a long way. We now stock it in store. Small $7 Large $ 18. Its a probiotic liquid fertiliser made by Australian company Neutrog. Their products are sustainable and often organic and worth using.

These cast iron glasshouses are for keeping everything safe during winter frost. They are heavy duty and I have seen through all through England and they are immensley decorative over herbs or vegetables or anywhere in the garden and over sensitive seedlings during the season. The lid lifts off these for ventilation. Approx 50x50cm.

Great winter reading...lots of gardening titles available at the moment. I was enheartened by how many new gardening books I saw whilst travelling. Lots of interesting things to read and winter is the best time while planning all those gardening things to happen through spring and summer.

Lovely green french chairs. And succulents are back with in vogue. They really do look great used in lots of different settings and are super easy to grow.

'til next time....happy planning for the garden

THE Chelsea Flower Show

2011-05-28T20:04:00.000+10:00

The jewel in the crown....Chelsea is a complete extravaganza.

What a wonderful thing to do. It’s so much better than you see in the pictures or on tv or the dvd’s.

Of course it is wall to wall with people and you just have to go along and expect that....unless of course you can swing an invite to the special invitation and members days. Everyone is kind, courteous and accommodating and understands that a few bumps and a thousand apologies are what is part of the parade.

And it is like a parade.....of plants, show gardens, celebrities, people and ideas.

We saw so many things. We loved the show gardens...some fabulous ideas in them. There wasn’t much variation in planting between them all which I was surprised about. But overall in most gardens we have seen there isn’t a lot of planting variation. It seems everyone sticks to the same old same old.

Of course ‘naturalistic’ and meadow plantings are thematic in much of the things we saw. This seems to be the catch cry throughout England at the moment. And we wryly have looked on.....everything in that lovely meadow that they are all so proud about is nothing but major and problematic weeds to us. And we have smirked at the idea of native and naturalistic. The meadows (we’re not talking out in the paddocks here – I’m referring to garden meadows in large scale gardens) are carefully planted and managed. They do have a lot of native grasses and flowering plants in them but also lots of pretty introduced extras to make them look nice. But I am digressing.

On the whole the plantings were beautiful at Chelsea for all the gardens we saw and the some of the design ideas were truly inspiring.

There are so many pictures that I took that it is hard to just narrow it down to a few. The water features this year were really lovely....beautifully finished, understated and more in the garden that up on a wall and to the side. I’ve been waiting for water features to do this and it was really great to see and has given me heaps of ideas.

The two Australian entries were really fabulous. One Englishman that I struck up a conversation with did ponder as to what was the point as they can’t grow these plants anyway. We kindly pointed out all the things he would be able to grow and how to do it and he seemed to see the light....maybe he was just being polite as the English are so very good at.

We duly went and had our Pimms – very yummy – one must it seems have a Pimms while at Chelsea as its tradition.....unfortunately it wasn’t the best of days for languishing in the sun with a Pimms as we chose the only day that it rained liked cats and dogs for a couple of hours.

If presented with the chance, always say yes to going to Chelsea. Keep in mind that it is a show full of grandiose ideas and go along and enjoy it. One of the best spectacles I’ve seen. Better than Fantastic!.

London....land of shopping

2011-05-28T19:44:00.000+10:00

Shopping in London is like going to the top of the magic faraway tree and finding the land of shops at the top for the day.

We have found lots of sights to keep us amused. And really it’s not about buying as with only a small suitcase, buying lots is out of the question, it’s about all the things you see as you wander around London. There are interesting things everywhere.

tale of two nurseries

2011-05-28T19:39:00.000+10:00

We have been lucky enough to visit lots of gardens on this trip, all different and interesting in their own right. But after we went to Chelsea, we felt the need to visit some well known and established nurseries. We have spotted and stopped at nurseries as we have travelled and really we felt that generally they weren’t any different to what we get at home. Msot of the plants were the same ....a few more or different varieties of some things. But with all the usual and general nursery stuff.

There are however a few nurseries that are a little more renown for their specialness so we headed off to visit two in London.

The first was Petersham Nurseries, well known for Skye Gignall and the cafe and restaurant that was established in conjunction with the nurseries. These nurseries are also well known because they are virtually set right in the middle of a field . Its now even more famous as it has just been awarded a Michelin star which had happened the week before we visited. The setting is wonderful ....established over a number of old glasshouses, there are great looking plants and plenty of choice and lots of different selections as well as many of the old favourites. There is a whole glasshouse devoted to eclectic, general and special garden things and paraphernalia. You can buy your garden tools, special French pots and right through to bespoke furniture and glass-wear. And from there the restaurant is set in another glasshouse. The cafe has a small central shed but has tables meandering throughout the whole outside area of the nursery so you can almost sit anywhere you like. This is also indicative of how fast this eating cafe has grown and the need to have lots of seating available. Lots more than last time I was there.

It’s a really special setting and a wonderful and inspiring place to visit.

An easy couple of tube stops and a visit to another well known nursery.....Clifton Nurseries has been established in London for 160 years and is set in a lovely leafy street suddenly out of the hustle of main London. They call themselves “London’s Nurserymen”...fairly definitive!

It’s more of a mainstream nursery that we are familiar with in Australia, and there were some women working there also. They do however have the most wonderful selection of plants beautifully looked after and displayed. It makes you want to buy plants by the trolley load.

A beautiful Victorian style white painted glasshouse is full of the most wonderful hothouse grown potted colour. There’s a delightfully smelly floristry area, tools and practical things and another glasshouse area full of garden paraphernalia and outdoor furniture. This is obviously a well loved and busy nursery that caters to lots of London Mums and Dads wanting to plant up the ultimate garden.

I found so many plants and ideas in this nursery. The only thing missing is the cafe which everyone else seems to have....maybe they just can’t squeeze it in.

Totally inspiring and leaps ahead of what we often see in Australia.

London

2011-05-25T16:12:00.000+10:00

I'd forgotten how much fun London is.
As I'm not inclined to do unlimited tourist attractions, having accomplished much of this on a previous visit...I am enjoying picking and choosing the most attractive ideas on my list and heading for them. Of course the list is ridiculously long and the days rapidly become full and exhausting. And of course, some of it has to do with enjoyment, shopping and general interest rather than all gardens.
So...I went shopping. You can buy anything in London.
Half the fun of being out and about here is merging with the crowd and catching the tube.
But beware....be warned and take care..it's really easy to get robbed and ripped off....we had experience of it today. It takes but a moment of distraction and 30 seconds of slight of hand....those famous london pickpockets.

For our gardening selection today...we ventured to the Museum of Gardening History. Mainly because they had a retrospective exhibition about the recent work of Tom Stuart-Smith. I do like some of the work he has done. Its very thoughtful and his drawings are superb.
The Garden History Museum is set in an old church at the end of the street, making it a bit hard to initially find. But the church was saved in the 70's when they realised the graves of the Tradescants were there and in recent years a renovation using modern wooden platforms has been inserted into the church to give the museum more of a presence. It's been done quite well. The garden is small but quite old and has been renovated. The permanent collection is interesting although quite lacking....lots of old implements and photos and relevant garden paraphernalia etc. Apparently a lot has been put away and isn't back out yet. They really need to get onto that, as for the price of 7pounds, it would be good to see a bit more. The Tom Stuart- Smith stuff saved the day.

This evening we were lucky enough to go to a Garden Illustrated lecture at the Royal Geographical Society no less with a panel of three modern designers discussing their insights and a few other famous people chairing the discussion. This was great fun and really interesting. We did find out that English garden designer are the best in the world as are English gardens!! (so little else exists apparently!). There were lots of other interesting tit bits and one of the speakers - Cleve West - had just won a chelsea medal today, so that caused much sensation and conversation.

Yes its the day they release who got a medal today- record number of medals at Chelsea this year.. And chelsea fever abounds....there are television updates and ladys in floral dresses alighting the tube at Sloane Square, and bits of articles in the paper everywhere. Some people do however look at you blankly when you mention Chelsea though and have no idea it is on and call it that flower thingy.....must have to be a certain type of person maybe??

Oh so capable Mr Brown....

2011-05-24T06:38:00.000+10:00

Our last garden to visit in the country before we head off to the big city of London, on our way through, is Blenheim Castle. This is an enormous fantasmigorical castle stilled lived in by the inherited Duke and Duchess. It's supposed to be the most fantastic castle in England!
This garden is on our visit list so we can add to our education about Lancelot "Capability" Brown.
He worked on this garden for 10 whole years while the castle was being built in the early 1700's. As you walk around the large large large estate park - it took us hours-, you can hardly imagine the changes he managed to make on such a huge scale. Without machinery, he completely reworked and rechanged the shape and size of the landscape to create views and vistas and spacious parklands - imagine 1000's of people digging new lakes and damning rivers and creating sweeping rises! Almost impossible.
The trees have been let go to whatever size they prefer and have impact and scale and you suddenly realise how big some of these trees that we prune and control can really get when left 'wild'.
A lot of the garden is quite formal especially close to the palace, which suits the architecture of course, but where does a duchess go for a nice couple of tea from the sitting room for a bit of peace and quiet??

Rather daunting really but inspiring in its own way. The undertaking itself makes my mind spin. Impressive.

We also had a quick lunch stop at Oxford...such an amazing town with lovely old old buildings. And we caught a glimpse of the university of oxford botanic gardens...but we were running late by then and couldn't stop.
Next time??

see you in London....off to Chelsea darling......

Kifsgate Court...surprise surprise

2011-05-24T05:46:00.000+10:00

What a pleasant and lovely surprise!!

This is a very large private garden tucked into a back lane in the Cotswolds, sitting around a large and interesting house high up on the cliffs. It has wonderful views and a few challenging slopes – which have been incorporated really well into the garden.

It has a couple of fabulous water features...one a swimming pool set into a wonderful setting. I think it might be the first swimming pool we have seen...not many of those in England!

The husband and wife team should be applauded as the garden would be quite a bit of work. The plantings are a bit clever with lots of the usual favourites....we don’t see much variation in plants in all these gardens in England we go to see!.......but the plantings here are more attuned for less work and more permanence and evergreen in the boarders etc. Obviously a more realistic approach when there aren't a hoarde of gardeners employed to make it all look great.

There are lovely mixes of old and new in this garden but it all mixes together beautifully and it is difficult to actually date hen things have been added to the garden.

This is a garden to be in, live in, enjoy, laze by the pool, potter and work in for a whole Sunday and entertain your friends and loads of teenagers in.

Quite remarkable and certainly one of the loveliest gardens without any pretensious overtones. Well loved and certianly enjoyed I would think....a well loved country estate feel.

Hidcote

2011-05-24T05:39:00.000+10:00

Hidcote garden is remarkable.....a garden to remember. It has wonderful strong design and underneath all the planting it is very structured. It is one of the most enjoyable gardens I have been to and sits right up in the top 3 highlights of this trip.

It was designed, planted and built by Mr Lawrence through the early part of the 20^th century so is quite a modern garden in some senses. It is made into a series of rooms so you don’t see all the garden in one go and the areas vary in size and shape. Plants are in masses of one variety often which works really well with the structure. It’s a really large estate and there was lots of money available to help this enormous garden go together but it doesn’t have any ostentation about it at all.

It’s very well designed. The proportions and scale of space used for areas of the garden are truly lovely. Beautiful big and small hedges separate areas. Some areas are intimate and thus planted this way while some areas are grand and have distinct presence.

Hidcote was the first actual garden rather than a house to be given to the National Trust in 1948, and they weren’t quite sure how to manage it....but it started the whole concept of having gardens looked after and preserved in their own right and for ‘National Significance’. And now many people travel around Trust properties simply to view the gardens and they are promoted this way also. Last year 150,000 people visited the garden at Hidcote up by 50,000 from the year before!! It also has a great program for apprentices learning their trade.

It would be a great place to come to learn to garden. It has the most wonderful feeling about it and is a garden that would be enjoyable to just stay in.

Pettifers and Barnsley House

2011-05-21T16:48:00.000+10:00

We were lucky enough today to go and visit a private garden that we had arranged sometime ago. Just a smallish garden in a little stone country village out the back of nowhere.
Mind you, it does have its own full time gardener...(gardeners are paid a pittace here it seems) and its probably about 2 1/2 X the size of a normal suburban block in Hobart or anywhere in Australia really. So not exactly a normal size garden. But a size that is interesting and manageable and 'real'. Its very much an individuals garden and well loved and thought about. There were lovely plantings and little surprises that made it special and it was used and enjoyed as a garden.
It was very pleasant to go to a garden that is lived in and on a relatively realistic scale.
It has appeared in Gardens Illustrated and other magazines a few times and the pictures all look lovely and it lived up to that expectation delightfully.
The gardener, Polly, took us under her wing and took us around the garden and answered lots of questions for us. We have been accumulating gardening and plant species questions, so it was lovely to talk to someone in the know who could answer everything for us.

We were truly delighted and could see easily how we could go home and accomplish this with ease.

On our way yesterday we also stopped into Barnsley House, the ex home of the late well known gardener and garden writer, Rosemary Verey. I had read Rosemary Verey books when I first started designer gardens, mainly because the pictures of planting plans were so lovely rendered in watercolours and also gave very clear names and ideas.

Rosemary Verey died in 2001, and the house became a country house hotel in 2003 and recently changed hands again. The gardens have been kept more or less as she planned them and I remember much of the concepts and ideas from reading her books.

It is a delightful old pile of a house made of local stone and the gardens are superb. To come here to stay in a lovely country upmarket English hotel would be lovely. They also offer lots of classes and weekend events to do with the garden, so it is nice to see her spirit being preserved.
I spoke briefly with one of the gardeners and he tolde me that while the garden continues to evolve, the essence of how it was put together is kept as it is timeless and works beautifully.

She was ahead of her time and has managed to design and execute some complicated plantings and have them survive as a classic timeless and ongoing garden. She was also in great demand to assist others with their gardens and we saw an example of one of her gardens she did for Prince Charles at Highgrove.

Beautiful.

flowers, shops, inspiration

2011-05-21T16:15:00.000+10:00

All through England are little villages and towns to discover and Tetbury at the beginning of the Cotswolds is one such. It is full of lovely stone buildings and has a pleasant, get ahead feel to it.
I have visited Tetbury fleetingly before, primarliy to go to the Highgrove shop,but this time we stayed and discovered a charming place full of delightful people and some fun shopping.

There are designer clothes shops, antique and second hand shops, a lovely artisan baker, somewhere to get a good coffee!!!! (amazing in England esp in the countryside), and a lovely couple of florists come plant shops. Lots of lovely ideas and inspiration

Our B&B right in the heart of town was great too.

Pubs I have known....

2011-05-20T06:27:00.000+10:00

When searching for food for an evening meal, it can sometimes be a chance event in a new and unknown town. We have been lucky that we have had lots of local input and insider knowledge and we talk to lots of people everyday and ask them for all the local tid bits.
So overall we have been extremely lucky with meals and local pubs to find them in.

In Kent, we went to the Castle...which I have already mentioned. We had a fabulous curry made by the South African landlord and wonderful chicken wwith herbs and butter. Sounds ordinary...and really that's sort of what it is...but its delciious and home made and really good basically.

In West Sussex we went to a local pub that had been 'gastrofied'.. the 'Earl of March'......we've all heard of gastro pubs from television and really thats probably more a London thing....but in the country its part gastro. And the food was ab fab.
A pint of prawns (that came in a pint glass from the bar) with lemon mayonnaise. The prawns were little and so sweet and we had to peel them and interestingly they were full of tiny orange caviar. Also small game, ham and chicken pies with pye green lentils and salad. Delicious pastry obviously home made.

Tonight we totted off to the Cat and Custard Pot just outside of Tetbury. Don't pubs in England have the absolute best names!!? Apparently, according to local rumor, the young princes drink here when visiting Highgrove on the weekends. Like lots of pubs in England, the decor hadn't been changed for at least 2 centuries, there were lots of friendly genuine locals and there were more dogs than people lounging over the floor, the chairs and anything they thought they could get away with.
The ladies next to us who had 4 dogs between the two of them had dropped in for dinner after an hour walking the dogs. The told us all about the locals, the local gardens with nudists to go and visit, and amused us greatly while we consumed our evening G&T and ate our entree meal. Tonight it was white bait and salad off the specials board - only 5 pounds. Argueably the best white bait I have ever tasted....fantastic.

We have also had the opportunity to taste mediocre but certainly palatable wines by the glass from France, Germany, Chile and South Africa . Sav Blanc, Chenin blanc, Pinot Noir, Reisling etc etc. We wouldn't be able to do this in Australia for the price and as easily.

I supppose the moral of the story is....pubs in England may look dowdy and innocuous....but really behind the dusty cover is really good food, lovely company, great locals and the heart of the english countryside and community. Lots of fun!!

The Prince and his garden

2011-05-20T06:26:00.000+10:00

Today we went to visit the well known garden Highgrove belonging to the Prince of Wales HRH. It was a little bit of a palarva to get in.....finding it, security checks etc., but we had a fabulous day.
I am sorry but there are absolutely no photos.....we had to leave phones and mobiles, binoculars, filming equipement etc in the car.
So I can describe it all to you...but that might be a bit boring, but I can't share it with you with any photos.
I will say that it totally exceeded all our expectations. It was delightful and basically a real garden, well designed and unpretencious. The Prince created it for himself and really it shows.
His philosophy is heavily towards organics, naturalistic ideas and peace and harmony. He quoted us that the garden was created to satisfy the soul, warm the heart, and please the eye. Not a bad brief for a garden really.
We also had the most fantastic high tea at the end of it as part of our ticket. Glass of champagne...with a Highgrove label on it....! Beautiful china, silver cutlery, tea cups and enormous delicate tea pot, a three tier plate of assorted small sandwiches, scones and jam & cream, and petite cakes and biscuits on the top layer.
Absolutely delightful.
I have taken lots of notes and sketches as I went and I think we will write HRH a letter thanking him for the privilege of seeing and enjoying his private gardens.
If you ever get the chance go to Highgrove for the visit....wonderful.

Heres the only photo I have of the front gates that were snapped out of the car window.....

Dixter the Great!

2011-05-18T16:30:00.000+10:00

One garden that I was very much looking forward to visiting was Great Dixter, the garden of the late and well reknowned English gardener, Christopher Lloyd. It was the most impressive and stunning garden last time I visited England in the height of summer and even inspired some serious reworking and remodelling of the plants in our own garden when we got home.
Well, in the middle of spring, it is still a totally impressive and stunning garden.

Great Dixter is an amazing, beautiful, exciting and inspiring place to go.
Its a voluptuous mix of colour and patterns and inspring plant combinations.
Its a 'smack you in the gob' round of colour and gaiety everywhere you go.
The plants are numerous and squeezed into planting spaces so there is little space to be seen. There is so much to look at. It is absolutely wonderful to wander around and just soak it all in. Its really a very joyful garden. Its full and overgrown and things have self seed as well as being carefully placed. You almost feel like you could go home and do it yourself....but of course they have a lot of gardeners to make this happen. You could certainly do some of it on a small scale as the garden is over quite an huge area.

It definitely has the feeling of a garden that is put together by a plantsperson and for the distinct purpose of having a garden that is loved and interesting and to be worked in. While in some ways its a show garden, its not staged. It's carefully managed and worked out in terms of plantings and design...but it gives the feeling of a real garden.

It is so very different is spring to my last visit in summer and talking to people while there it seems you can visit anytime (and probably should visit at least 4 times per year) and find the plants and colours and happenings different each time. Foliage and the colours and texture of foliage plays an enormous role as well as the colour of flowering plants.

This is still my favourite. Absolutely stunning!. I wish I could go back and see it again the next day all over again.

In England.....

2011-05-17T16:50:00.000+10:00

Of course as soon as one sets foot in England, we suddenly are besieged with garden stores. We came across this one full of interesting bits and peices on our first night right next to our hotel. Every garden or attraction we visit has a garden store as part of their souveniers. I don't see many in the rest of Europe and in France it was more about beautiful florists that also had plants and containers and special things.
Its quite lovely to have garden stores to look at everywhere we go.

I must also put in a good word for the English B&B. When one thinks of B&B's in England, it tempting to think lumpy beds, chintz, dark low ceilings and wingeing poms. But B&B's are a lovely revelation in England and especially around the English countryside.
Do a little research and you always come up with great priced B&B run by lovely people, with feather pillows, great hot breakfasts (a good English breakfast means you don't eat again all day!), well appointed rooms and even great bathrooms.
Really you couldn't ask for more.

When you stay in the countryside you get to see wonderful veiws and go for brisk walks in morning...and yes the sun is shining again today...but you also get to go to the local pub for dinner. Last night was hilarious. The bar hadn't been redecorated for the last 30 years, the place stank of dogs which were lounging all over the floor and the locals were delightful. We enjoyed the conversation and the jokes and thanks to our landlord, they were expecting us so we were very well treated. Really like straight out of a Sunday night English TV program.
And just to finish it off the meals were superb....no stodgy English cooking...just really good fare.

Although we do miss French bread...just lumpy squishy stuff here - suppose you cant have everything.

Sissinghurst

2011-05-17T16:45:00.000+10:00

We have just visited Sissinghurst castle...one of the most famous english gardens set in the countryside of Kent. Its such a well known and well documented garden that one has such great expectations of what it is going to be like and when I visited Sissinghurst in the height of summer a few years ago, I was slightly dissappointed. I found the plantings a little light on and the emphasis then was on the design, the structure making the garden rooms and the hedges that actaully mad the garden come together.
But this time is was muxh more interesting.
This time, I found the emphasis was all about the wonderful plants.
There were lots of lovely species that I was familiar with but even more that I hadn't seen before. Certainly read about in books but hadn't seen flowering before.
Being mid spring, all sorts of interesing things were in full bloom.
Granted the planting was still a bit sparse in some places... but am I being a bit hard.....?
Of course like everywhere else, the roses were beautiful. The peony were just starting to really bloom......unlike in France where they were in full blazing finishing of blooms....a bit warmer in France I think
The overall feel of the garden was beautiful, peaceful, wild, gentle and rather countrified.
There were views and vistas and walks and arbours, well proportions garden rooms, colour and interest and wildmeadows and countryside.
Overall conceptually quite lovely with areas of lushness.
So a very different garden in the springtime.

off with her head. the brute said...no this is not alice in wonderland...this is king Henry VIII.

2011-05-17T16:21:00.000+10:00

Hampton Court Palace.....

Of course the palace has an older and much more complex history and is more than just about Henry VIII, but this is who I know the most about really. We spent the time to see both the garden and some of the palace.
Both are quite enormous. In the Palace we visited Henry the eigths apartments and the gigantic kitchens that serviced and fed everyone. We also wandered through the apartments of William III and Mary II. The palace isn't lived in by any royalty anymore - in fact its not really lived in by anyone anymore. The apartments and decorations are all restored to certain periods and are quite different depending on the era. Well worth the look, but you could spend days there just to see everything.

The gardens are on a huge scale and actually really enjoyable but aren't complex or overly ornate. They are surprising simple and while not ordinary, certainly somewhat plain at which I was slightly surprised.
They are however lovely to walk through and have lots of areas that are sectioned from each other to give quite different themes and ideas.
The rose garden was quite spectacular. It was in full bloom and the smell was fantastic - I think it is safe to say that if you go to a garden in Europe in May, it will have an amazing rose garden.
There were perrenial boarders and wilderness and formal pond gardens and lime and yew walks.
Some of the gardens that were viewed from windows inside suddenly made sense. They seemed ordinary when in them, but looked spectacular when seen through the windows. Obvioulsy were designed to be looked from the inside...voila!.

We were lucky enough to be there when there was an exhibition on about how and who designed the gardens and in what era and which purpose....so that made the gardens much more relevant.

Suddenly it drizzling...what is it with this English weather. We are having our first wettish day and having to get our coats out...and of course we are wingeing about it. Hope for a fine day tomorrow.

Bonjour....Hello

2011-05-16T16:14:00.000+10:00

We have crossed the channell...in our high speed train.
A day of travelling to get here.
But suddenly we are all speaking English and things are easier to explain...
France is such a wonderful and beautiful place...but I wish my french was better...it would make it all a little easier. I must work harder on that one

There is definitely a difference with the gardens between here and France and we tried last night to pin down exactly what it is that makes it different.
French gardens for the day to day living are much smaller but overall, we think they are better finished and organised and this is where that idea that french gardens are more formal may come from. They just aren't quite as blousy. The emphasis is on finish and presentation and a little formality and then the next emphasis is on the flowering and more shrubby naturalistic plants.
Whereas here is England the first emphasis seems to be on the bushes, blousy flowering plants and the finishing off and neatness comes last.
Thats my wide sweeping generalisation anyway.

Of course the food has changed dramatically as well and we had a lovely pub meal last night. The portion sizes are different (bigger) and you don't get salad with everything. Shame we were enjoying the french eating experience. Healthier it seemed with that salad there!

I do love their post boxes and red telephone boxes and red double decker buses here though.

Off to the gardens.....

Chateau de Valmer

2011-05-16T07:40:00.000+10:00

For our last chateau and garden in the Loire, we chose Chateau de Valmer and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Its hidden away in the country side and is a privately owned small estate with a charming petit chateau that is left now after a fire in 1948 of the main chateau. The gardens have been updated and renovated by the incumbent ‘Madam Chateleine’ keeping the style that was originally set out in the 1500 and 1600’s. Its set over 8 terraces in a distinct Italian style and is rather charming. First impressions might have been that it was a bit austere and but the estate has been carefully and charmingly thought about and renovated as such.

The gardens are managed and maintained by just one gardener and an apprentice so are a testimony to dedication and possibly lots of hard work.

They have a realistic, genuine feel rather than overdone and staged and it feels like it is loved and looked after by people who are real gardeners and who love gardening and botany.

One of the highlights is the potager.... a really large vegetable and flower garden set out beautifully and a real working garden. Madam is a landscape designer and botanist and has established a working garden that also is a place for preservations of vegetable and flower varieties and collections.

A lovely touch is the gourd walkway, located in the old orchard, which in the late summer and autumn must be something fabulous to see with ripening gourds hanging above you head under lush green foliage.

We also really liked the new luxurious chicken houses and runs.

The original terraces are lovely and are large and amazing considering they were built originally in the 17^th century. With symmetry, Italian minimalism, stone stairs and urns as features and ornate balustrades, the architecture of the garden is just as important as the gardens themselves.

It was an unimposing, charming garden and chateau that was a lovely finish to the gardens in the Loire.

We also had a lovely tasting of the wines of the estate which has a working vineyard and bought a bottle of lovely sparkling of the Vouvray appellation, which is different from Australian sparkling but really lovely light fresh and floral. Delicious!

chaumont-sur-loire

2011-05-16T06:33:00.000+10:00

Chaumont-sur-loire and the International Garden Design Festival

This might be one of the most famous gardens in the Loire....if only because it now has the International Festival of Gardens which attract garden professionals and intertested gardeners from all over the world. There are 24 carefully selected and constructed gardens done with a theme and as 'show' gardens from designers around the world (mostly european). The theme of the festival htis year Garden of the Future and the art of happy biodiversity...which meant there was a lot of philosophising regarding the gardens!

The chateau is almost like a fairytale setting.... it needs only renaissance ladies with flowing hats hanging from the turretts. The amazing, enormous grounds and the chateau have their own interesting and chequered history and are connected to other chateau we have seen in the area especially Chenonceau.
Chaumont-sur-Loire was given to Dianne de Poitiers when she was ordered out of Chenonceau after Henry I, her lover, died. She didn't stay there long though.

The chateau has a feel of fading grandeur and althought the stone is still fabulous, the chateau overall was duller than some others we have seen.
Its not quite as well loved these days as it may have been when royalty were living here ...which did happen for many centuries. The last few families to live here went to rack and ruin so one can understand the chateau not being in the best of nick....you can certainly see the good bones though. And it was quite fascinating to see the gloomier upper servant eschalons which are certainly not on display in other chateau.
The stables however were a marvel and the horses obviously were extremely well looked after...luxury.
There was a wonderful installation by Patrick Blanc int eh stable courtyeard as well which will now become a permanent garden wall.

The emphasis of the estate is really on the estate and gardens. They are large and very beautiful and sit above the loire high on the hill so overlook the river and valley. Much time and effort is undertaken into making the gardens the jewel.
The estate and grounds have also been really well utilised with modern art and installations to make it an interesting and contemporary place...lot of art installations is every outbuilding and in the chateau itself as well as scattered through the garden.
This gives the whole domain relevance to the modern age and although art is always something personal and to be talked about.....it means everything is being brought into and wwell loved for the modern age. Many of the chateau that aren't being lived in don't have this feel at all...they are more like stage sets from by gone eras.
A large area is completely devoted to the international garden fesitval and this is what really attracted me to Chaumont-sur-Loire.
The festival gardens are 24 small show gardens and range from clever to weird and are full of quirky ideas....lots that worked well and either gave a message or came together to give a feel of a lovely garden. With some the execution didn't quite come off as well ...but thats just my opinion.

The gardens around them put together and maintained by the domain (estate) are absolutely superb and have been designed and set our fabulously.They were as mcuh a highlight as each of the 24 gardens themselves.
Many of the exhibition gardens are quite esoteric, so not always something one would take home and use themselves, but its meant to be art and thought and a little avant guard....so thats exactly what it does.
I have picked some of the more interesting ones to show in the photos.

This is a good pilgirmage for the design professional. Its almost like the contemporary arty frenchy avant guard version of chelsea flower show set in the most spectacular place you could imagine.

It's wonderful that the estate is being utilised this way and keeps it relevant for now rather than just being a pile of rocks from the past.

Romantic Jardin du chateau de la chatonniere

2011-05-14T15:38:00.000+10:00

As a complete contrast to many of the chateau and properties we have seen, we discovered a small chateau with a family owned garden that was tended and looked after with love and care. Still on a fairly large scale (a number of hectares) but with a much more informal and romantic feel about it, it was almost a relief to find a 'real' garden.
It's tucked away in the countryside down a few small lanes and was a delight to wander.
Set out as 12 separate garden rooms, it was full of roses...they were a big feature...herbs, flowers, ornamentation and quirky features.
It's called Jardin a la Chatonniere. Not as well known, its worth a visit and a wander.
It had a 'garden of abundance' set out in a formal style but then given a twist of being an enomous leaf design. The garden of dance relies on thousands of daffodil bulbs set out in meandering patterns to give it a beautiful sway of colour. The perrenial gardens next to the chateau were delightful and full of relatively well known and common plantings that gave it a lovely realisitic feeling but executed very well.

The chateau being much more like a large family home rather than an enormous castle gave a more romantic atmosphere...it wasn't open but gave a presence to the whole estate.
It was delightful.

roses roses everywhere...

2011-05-14T15:15:00.000+10:00

In every village, along the roadsides and through every chateau garden we visit, there are roses in the full flush of flowering colour.
They trail and creep up stone walls and provide the most wonderful scent and colour as we wander around. We have been fascinated by how many roses are not just in the organised and planted gardens but in every nook and cranny and along every second wall of stone whether a building or just a wall. They grow in the smallest patch of sandy rocky soil and are beautiful and lend a wonderful flavour and scent to everywhere.
There are many different types...singles, doubles, blousy, formal....I wish I knew all the names. Some we recognise and others we just don't know. But we happily stick our noses in as we go past to see if they have are scented or not.
The warm weather here brings out the scent of everything marvellously....its really warm by the afternoon and all the scented flowering plants like honeysuckle and roses give a subtle hue to the air.
We have so enjoyed the roses that seem to be the main player for this time of year.

Viva la rose!

Villandry....a french french estate

2011-05-14T07:06:00.000+10:00

The sun is shining and it is warm and bright here in the Loire countryside. Wonderful weather for travelling around the countryside looking at chateau and quaint historical villages.

The countryside is remarkably flat and there are wheat feilds for miles along the sides of the roads....they are green and verdant and you can almost smell them growing in the sunshine. We are happily getting tanned as we wander gardens and castles.

There is so much history here and I am only just realising it as I read about medieval villages and even earlier hunting lodges knocked down to build chateau in the 10th, 11^thor 12^th century.

People like Richard the Lionheart, Henry Plantagenant and Franciose I feature often in pamphlets talking about the surrounding villages and castles as well as Queens and Kings and wars and rulers through generations and centuries....its all a bit

We have visited many towns that claim history with Jean of Arc....she was one busy lady and much more involved in many wars and skirmishes than I had realised at all. She was a real warrior and convinced kings and dukes and important politicians that they all needed to go to war and she was the one to do it!

There are some seriously tough and go ahead women that lived in this area through the centuries. Everywhere we have gone, women have been instrumental in building, organising, ruling and making things happen.

History pervades the modern everyday as well with old historical houses and streets being well utilised and still lived in and renovated today...modern convenience sits easily with ancient stone. It's not really until you see it and start to read about it while actually looking at it that it starts to enter ones consciousness.

It is of course fabulous and except for cars and internet are we really that different than when they were living in the 10^th century....gettting a bit philosophical now... I'll stop.

But when it comes to gardens ....they were good at them then and they are certainly good at making them still look good now.

A visit to Villandry for the most french of gardens in the Loire is an absolute must....so off we went

An amazing very very French styled chateau and garden. I was always under the impression that it was all about royalty at villandry but it seems I was slightly wrong.

Its has the feel and decoration of a well put together and well loved family very wealthy country home (all be it very large...but if one can afford it then..!)

The castle is light and beautiful and so very different from some of the darker richer more gilt medieval and renaissance castles we have seen. The fabrics and painted wall decorations and linens were just superb and put together with such wonderful mix and match style.... they know how to decorate in these chateaux.

The garden of course is famous and is on an amazing scale....

Very very French formal...it was remodelled and redesigned from the 1906 by the owner from that time Joachim Carvallo. He restored the castle and researched historical renaissance gardens to lay out the garden in a very formal french style.

Before this they had pulled out the formal french gardens from previous generations and installed sweeping English style!!

His study where he did most of the work for the design of the garden is an oasis of light and green and stylish decor and I would love to just transport it home and enjoy it for myself.

There are wonderful views of the garden from every window and the garden itself is on an enormous almost incomprehensible scale for a privately owned property.

There are 10 full time gardeners.

We wander the woodland and it is lovely....deep green shade and patches of speckled light through tree tops and leaves........and the day before had been wondering if there was anything like poisonous snakes in France..... well I can tell you there are....we saw one....

And I didn’t hang around to take the photo.

The garden is very stiff and very controlled and its probably not to everyones taste....

but it is magnificent and certainly worth the hours it took to wander around it and in some ways a work of art and very clever.

The vegetable garden is of course famous and strictly laid out for colour and interest and formality with mini tight hedges forming strict patterns. It is planted with a spring planting from March to June and then a summer planting from June to November. It is all potager flowers and vegetables inside its rigid shapes and hedges.

The other striking part of the garden is the lengthy and numerous allees of lime trees. There are over 1200 lime trees forming formal allees over the whole domain of the garden.

We were enchanted and awed. Truly fabulous.

good news...bad news

2011-05-14T06:18:00.000+10:00

The good news is I am still in France having a wonderful time....

The bad news is...even though I am blogging away....blogspot have had a few hickups and my last 3-4 blogs are missing...they are restoring the problem hopefully...
So don't despair...there are some great blogs about the Loire still to come when they are restored and now the blogspot is up and working again ....I will continue my news and blogs.

French Maison

2011-05-12T06:10:00.000+10:00

We have got lucky and are staying the most beautiful and well appointed B&B. It can be so hit and miss to get a B&B on the internet when on the other side of the world before you come to France, so we are counting our blessings with this one and will recommend it to anyone.

The decor is superb with lovely ornate mix and match fabrics and ornaments in our rooms. The paintings are Van Dyke style oils and everything has been thought of. The owners are charming and genuinely interested in having you in their space.

There is an absolutely divine terrace overlooking the canal off the river and overlooking the nearby park. So the feeling is of cool water and vivid green with classic French plantings and pots for ornamentation dotted throughout the terrace.

Oh and how could I forget....European style breakfast with decorative china and teapots and home made preserves. Ooh la la, why would you want to go anywhere but just here....but no we have gardens to see, that’s right I remember now....

Off to the next chateau!

Le Logis du Bief

21 rue Quintefol

Loches

To Market To Market to buy a fat hen

2011-05-12T06:03:00.000+10:00

Home again Home again jigerty jig....

Today is Market day in Loches and so we spent the morning exploring the town through cobbled streets and alley ways that was filled to the brim with the weekly Wednesday mroning market.

There was everything you can want to buy. Food of every description of course, as one would expect with any French market, Clothes, shoes, plants for decoration, seedlings for the potager, baskets, antiques, the chair mendor, etc etc.

We bought a selection of interesting things to try for lunch today but really it’s about the people and the fabulous produce.

Loches, where we are staying in the Loire, is a lovely medium size village and seems to have quite a reasonable population attached to it, so we were able to see the French that live in the country out doing their daily/weekly business.

Its so much more relaxed than Parisian markets and the people are friendly. There are however lots of English it seems here on holiday. We met a couple from Jersey in the restaurant we went to last night who come often as it is easy and only an hour on the ferry, so they come often for 3-4 days to enjoy the food, wine and countryside.

We have also had the pleasure of meeting some Belgian people at our accommodation that have been wonderful at teaching us French words and phrases. Personal tuition always helps!

The restaurant we went to last night was Le Gerbe d’Or and as with everything now we are out of Paris, is was reasonably priced and the food was fab. If you get to Loches one day, make this your stop for dinner. We think we might go back again in a night or two.

Loire Loire Loire!

2011-05-12T02:18:00.000+10:00

After negotiating the train and reminding ourselves how to drive on the other side of the road, we have reached the Loire and can feel the relief of being suddenly in the countryside. Paris is tres chic, but we now realise that it was lots of work and exhausting and quite expensive, and being in the fresher air and greener pastures of the Loire countryside is almost relaxing. Breath a sigh of air and take in those vistas!

So while we have some hours until we go to our accommodation, we may as well visit a chateau....

Our first is Chenonceau on the river Cher. And ooh la la, what an introduction to visiting and understanding chateau country.

It is on an enormous scale and almost breathtaking. The gardens and grounds are as wonderful as is the chateau itself. The grounds have lots of lush green dappled forest of what seems to be mainly hornbeam trees. It is beautiful and romantic to wander the paths through to the chateau. The main allee is of course lined with enormous, well maintained trees to formalise the entrance.

This chateau has an amazing history and is associated with royalty (of course). The formal gardens closer to the chateau are attributed to Catherine de’ Medici (1519-1589) and Dianne de Poitiers (1499-1566) and they are quite stunning. Formal in their own way with the de’Medici garden more Italianate in style and the Poitiers garden more French formal.

Both are on an enormous scale and beautifully executed.

Obviously there is a large team of permanent gardeners.

Of course there is much more history to the chateau than just this but it is long and complex and I won’t bore you with all the details but it involves many kings and queens, famous people and extremely wealthy ones also. It also involves the strong influence of 5 women starting from the 13th century. Apparently Catherine de’Medici ran the whole of France as Queen from one of the exquisite fabric lined studies that we saw on the 2^nd floor.

One of the highlights of the garden was the vegetable and flower garden. It has 12 large plots covering over a hectare. It supplies all the flowers for the enchanting and numerous floral decorations for inside the castle. And they are splendid and very in keeping with the castle theme and add a lovely ambience to the whole scene.

Inside is truly a wonder, and well worth the time to look through. It is immaculately kept and the ceilings and wall decorations are gilt and ornate and awesome (in the correct sense of the word!). The buildings are stone – huge slabs – and so inside the doorways, stairways and lintels etc are all carved and ornamented.

The overall impression is of stone, tapestries on a huge scale, lavender wax, subtle lily scent from the amazing flower arrangements, height and space, renaissance history and you can almost hear the guards and important people drifting through the castle hallways from yesteryear.

Everything is beautiful and I can’t capture how truly amazing and well worth the trip it is. There is so much more I could tell you, but really make the effort if you have the chance and see it yourself.

Farwell Paris

2011-05-10T06:01:00.000+10:00

Our last day in Paris...so we spent part of it strolling through the Jardin du Luxembourg. The Luxembourg Gardens are right in Saint Germain and are the quintessential french public park to be in, be seen and enjoy, soak up sun, have lunch, partake of icecream and generally engage in the good life.
The gardens are laid out in the formal french style as they were designed and the pollarded alleys, water features and parterres are wonderful.
Walk along the allees and around the pond and past the tennis courts. Stop to admire the men playing chess and wander along the palace outer walls to find a seat in the shade along the grassed areas to enjoy lunch.
Don't what ever you do sit on the grass unless in an area that has been designated such. The french police will come along whistles blowing and shoo you off.....I must admit I have never seen this happen but I have been told it will actually occur. I wonder??? is this a french myth and practical urban joke??
There was only one patch of grass that everyone was sitting sunning themselves on. All the others seem to be off limits....see the photo below. It was full of students from the nearby university - the Sorbonne.
Its dusty and crowded and thoroughly awe inspiring and a joy to be in the gardens in Paris on a sunny day!

One last tip......If in Paris...visit the Rodin museum.
Maybe I will do one last Paris blog with tips for Paris....there are markets and restaurants and fabulous shops we have found. Not to mention gardens and avenues to walk and highlights eg one must go (whether into gardens or not), the Royal Palace gardens.
So much to do in Paris and so little time...you never see it all. I have a list for next time already!

Farewell (Au revoir) Paris....off to the Loire.

Parc de Bagatelle

2011-05-09T18:06:00.000+10:00

On a warm Sunday afternoon many Parisians enjoy the time to stroll and lanquish in the cities parks and gardens. So we joined them in the Bagatelle Gardens just near the centre of Paris.
Once the hunting grounds and retreat of the monarchy and wealthy, all that changed during the revolution and eventually the city of Paris acquired the substantial parkland with its chateau, orangerie, trianon and other buildings.
The gardens are beautiful and very enjoyable on a summery afternoon. They have had many additions and refurbishments over the years but essentially are a parkland, a chateau with parterre - a rather plain parterre, and a series of gardens to display particular species, colour, groups and styles.
The rose garden is stunning and the roses were at their very best on a warm May afternoon. The smell as you wandered into the garden is beautiful. The rose garden is laid out formally and has over 1200 roses in it displayed as bush, climber etc.
There is an iris garden set down and surrounded by walls of green. The irises are mixed and matched through the garden to display a blaze of colour. Like a colourful painting.
The potager and jardin des presentateurs were however the highlights. They were interesting and inspiring and beautifully designed and executed.
We wandered for hours through the parkland watching the populace enjoy the picnic under the trees, the shaded seats along hidden alleyways, the grottos and waterfalls. We are feeling it with our terribly sore feet and legs now!
I enjoyed the bagatelle immensely and found lots of fabulous ideas and inspiration, but most of all it was truly enjoyable....which really is what a garden should be.

Paisian wanderings

2011-05-09T17:00:00.000+10:00

Everday as we wander we find interesting things and lovely little shops and teasures.
Today we stumbled across an antique market.
And there were just a few garden finds there that I would love to ship back home.
These lovely chairs and quaint folding ornamental garden table among them....I seriously considered finding a way of shipping them home...!

A famous gourmet parisian food store to keep on your short list....Hediard.
Here is the windows. Unfortunately they weren't open as we came across them.
I suppose that is one to keep for my next trip....

Chateau de Malmaison

2011-05-09T16:55:00.000+10:00

Malmaison isn't too far from Paris and has been on my list of places I wanted to see for some time, so off we went. It did prove somewhat more complicated than we anticipated to get there due to some metro closures and it was also a Sunday. But a little longer doesn't matter.
Chateau de Malmaison is famous because of its association with Josephine and Napolean Bonaparte. She made it her principal residence after she married Napolean Bonaparte and became Her Royal Highness. There are lots of interesting books about Napolean and Josephine and the campaigns if you are interested in reading them...some are quite fascinating.
And in garden terms...Josephine was well known for establishing a parkland, garden and developing a botanical collection of roses and establishing a rose garden.
Sadly the garden in modern day times is sad and slightly disappointing. It doesn't quite match the paintings and depictions of the simple but grand gardens that matched the chateau of Josephine Bonaparte in their hayday. They have been let go somewhat. Which in actual fact surprised us as the French are usually very good at keeping gardens looking fabulous. Not manicured often, as the wild and blousy look is just as popular as the clipped and formal public park look.
The parkland at mailmason was however lovely. Wild and lush and full of huge tress in final spring green flush. Trees of 'splendour' and importance were duly marked. We wanted the path through the parkland, cathching glimpses of the chateau and viewing the statuettes and enormous urns strategically placed for pleasure. You can certainly imagine taking a stroll through this everyday as ladies of the castle!

On the other hand, the chateau itself was a revelation of gilt, decadance and superb detail. Certainly not on the scale of versaille, but the artistry of the decoration was gorgeous.

So for something interesting in terms of history and chateau, definitely worth the trek. But for the garden, unless they suddenly start renovating and doing better.......unfortunately don't bother.

the orignal garden plans laid out by the architect that Josephine commissioned.

Jardin la vie romantique

2011-05-08T15:36:00.000+10:00

On a tip off from a very nice Frenchman that we met....we went exploring to find the Musee du la vie romantique. The house and garden have become a little famous here and he assured us the garden was lovely and you can take tea under the trees. Which is exactly what we did.
Tea was served on ancient painted trays with a beautiful teapot and limoge cups. Of course served sans milk and in the most amazing cotton/silk tea bags. Beautiful and certainly fulfilling the romantic theme.
The garden although small, was beautiful and quite romantic - full of green trees, climbing roses and charming flowering plants and matched the style of house perfectly.
We were lucky there was an exhibition on of French Romantic Gardens with lots of beautiful original hand drawn plans of gardens such as the bagatelle and mailmaison and follies and stone edifaces for gardens of the late 1800's. It was a revelation. The paintings and plans were quite superb and I was so excited as I wandered around....they were mini works of art.
The house was built and lived in by the painter Ary Scheffer and both he and his brother had the most amazing studios on the property - enormous ceilings and pannelled rooms of great space. Ary Scheffer was classified as a 'romantic' painter and was reknowned for his Friday salon where special and famous visitors would come for an afternoon of entertainment and socialising.
The house is behind some of the those intriquing large doors one sees all through Paris, down an alley lined with old trees providing green shade and past the studio into a beautiful courtyard where the house is situated. It is very French and secluded from the bustle and madness of the surrounding streets. Once inside the big street doors, it would be your own private oasis.
Tres romantique!

On our travels yesterday we also discovered the Pistacherie.....wonderful nuts in mixtures and plain and these fabulous little ices. Great little pick me up. Yummy. This is the pistachio flavour. We really liked the little boat they came in.

Little Window dressing

2011-05-07T05:53:00.000+10:00

Everywhere we wander there a fabulous doors, amazing door handles and special windows just begging you to want to stop and look.
This is part of the display for the macaron shop on the corner from our hotel.

We tried the macarons today to compare them to Lauderee, but they just weren't quite as good. Interesing flavours though.....ginger, earl grey tea. blueberry, grapefruit. They were sweeter and less subtle and certainly not as sublime.
I think we might move onto chocolat next and try a few of the local chocolate specialist shops. Wish me luck.

When we were shopping for a few cheeses for dinner tonight I came across these in the salad section. Fleurs for your salad anyone? So impressed!