it's time i got into the gardens of england.
on our first day of garden touring the first garden we saw was
highgrove, prince charles' private home and garden. no cameras were allowed so i can't share any pictures.
it was unbelievably beautiful. hard to put into words really...after we finished touring it we were treated to a beautiful champagne tea and i wondered how any of the gardens left on the tour could possibly measure up to highgrove.
and then later on that cold, dark and rainy afternoon we pulled into The Grove, the private garden of david nightingale hicks. we were all tired and i don't think any of us were prepared for what we were about to see.
his son ashley gave us the tour.
hands down the best garden tour guide ever. he was so gracious, funny and had no problem talking about his dysfunctional father's eccentricities.
it is those eccentricities that helped create this amazing garden.
he was obsessed with sight lines. so much so that he often bought or tried to buy adjoining properties in order to improve his sight lines.
the garden is a series of rooms that rely on structure and balance and it is amazing.
this is actually the back of the house.
it was rainy, cold and dreary but lady pamela was snug inside that window knitting.
a shot looking back at the house.
...and to the side.
from the house looking at the first sight line of many to come.
the garden is dotted with incredibly old and gorgeous statuary.
just look at those brick walls!
i thought this was such a fabulous idea for hiding the hose.
i hope to put together a post compiling all the small but effective ideas that we can all use in our gardens. this would be one of them.
the mowing lines help the sight lines too.
this area of the garden is just spectacular.
pictures do not do it justice.
the side of the house facing the pool.
ashley invited us up to the patio to look inside and see his dad's famous wallpaper and carpet.
ashley added on this part of the house for his office.
adore the black against the green.
if you have a few minutes take a look at
this clip
you see the garden in the winter and you can see the good bones it has.
i feel so incredibly lucky to have seen this garden in person.
i hope you enjoy it.
