Rose Garden update

As part of the historic replanting scheme that we are undertaking, Peto's rose garden is being recreated behind the house on the terraces leading to the Spanish patio garden.  Completely new beds  had to be constructed.

 To build strength into the design, and to ensure that the wall below is solid for the next century, we designed concrete plinths and ties to underpin the wooden colonnade support the pillar roses.

Sterilised soil mixed with old horse manure was brought in - something like 10 tonnes in total.

  

Here are the beautiful oak posts before insertion:

 

And here they are in place:

Happy Birthday to Judy Eglington

The Artistic Director and co-founder of Iford Arts, Judy Eglington, turned 21 again this evening.  The cast of La Traviata were on hand, along with the audience, to give her a rousing and well-deserved rendition of a traditional birthday tune.

Iford Arts - first night at the Opera

After weeks of anticipation, the moment had come for the first night of Traviata in the cloister at Iford. 

Guests for the evening celebrated 20 years of opera at Iford with a glass of champagne in the sunlight on a beautiful evening.  But the star of the show was the cast and musicians. 

Photos usually follow on the Iford Arts facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iford-Arts/168502343261?fref=ts

Bedding out

Until the last few weeks the non-hardy borders have looked decidedly bare.  Finally with the warm weather we have been able to 'bed out'.  This year Robert, our gardener in charge, has produced some strongly scented displays with geranium and pelargonium and some less common additions.

Staking:

Tying in:

Spring / Summer Collection

This year the wisteria has been simply remarkable, and it continues to be so.  

 

Perhaps this is due to the late chill through March and April, which set the plants back and seems to have intensified the flowering.  Thankfully there was no frost to kill the buds - always a threat in late spring.

 Here are some images of the wisteria so far and if you haven't visited us yet, this coming week is the prime time for the wisteria in 2013.