Colour blind...

It is not uncommon for us to be asked how, as an essentially evergreen, structural garden with limited manpower, we manage to keep the garden colourful and interesting throughout the season.  Well, it's a tricky one.  We're not a rose garden particularly, our borders cannot benefit from "cottage colour", and we restrict ourselves where possible in our planting to historic forms which would have been available in Peto's time (i.e. pre-1933).

The key to the challenge is, of course, pots, just as it is in Mediterranean gardens.  Lots of pots, in fact, and strategically placed.  As the season goes on, I will write a post following Robert, gardener in charge, as he puts together these pots, tubs, basins and hanging baskets for the changing seasons.  The plants themselves have to come from somewhere, though, and having had a very warm March and April, and with almost everything flowering simultaneously, there is an even more pressing need for pottable pelargoniums, fuscias,  geraniums etc. to be brought on ready for later.  And here are some of them in the greenhouse:

Garden Update 1 May 2011

Well, we're all having a cup of tea at Iford with our feet up for an hour after a busy day in the garden and washing up in the tearoom.  It is always lovely to see people enjoying the garden and socialising over a scone!  Indeed, what better way to spend the afternoon, I ask?

With good weather, sunshine indeed, forecast for Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (open 2 - 5pm; tearoom from 2.30), I thought it might be useful to put up some photographs of the garden this evening, so that anyone waiting for a particular moment to make their move and visit can see what's out and what's not (as at 7pm today):

The casita garden and its wisteria are just coming into their own in May:

Other parts of the garden are also floribund:

And the mysterious oriental garden's irises are in bud, whilst the japanese cherry (image at top of post) glows in the sunlight:

Congratulations from all at Iford

The team at Iford sends hearty congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

In honour of this great occasion, Britannia herself dressed in her finest.  Speaking earlier this morning, she explained that she had wanted to wear her favourite Union Flag Shawl, but unfortunately her dresser was unable to reach that high so she had to content herself with this exquisite example of a traditional apron.

Opening Times for the May Bank Holiday weekend

After a phenomenally busy Easter weekend, we have received lots of enquiries about this coming weekend.  Thus, here's a quick clarification on Iford's opening times over the Bank Holiday weekend:

Sunday and Monday, 2-5pm
Teas from 2.30pm on each day.

The wisteria is out, which is rather unexpectedly early - if you are a wisteria fanatic, I guess you've probably got about 2 weeks before much of it is over:  hurry!

A batch of photos of the garden as it stands, on the way shortly (once I can find the cable for the camera!)

Tim Kliphuis DVD update

Pre-sales of the Tim Kliphuis DVD are now underway, and it's proving popular.  If you haven't ordered your copies at the promotional rates, (just £25 for 2 - usually £20 each!), then perhaps you ought pop along to Iford Recordings and snap up a few.  They'll be delivered in late October (the recording is in late June), ready to be put to good use as prezzies at Christmas.

We are also very pleased to announce that the recording is kindly supported by Mickleburgh Pianos of Bath.  Mickleburgh Bath has an extensive range of new and reconditioned upright and grand pianos over two floors, plus a good selection of digital pianos to choose from, and are always there to help anyone from the beginner to the advanced pianist.

New season approaches

It is always an optimistic time of year, full of anticipation, as we approach the first open day of the season.  The blossom is out, the wisteria is in bud, the magnificent magnolia goblets opening to drink in the relative warmth of spring - indeed, the garden is running a bit ahead of schedule this year owing to the warm, dry March.

This Sunday 3rd April, we welcome in the public visitor for another year.  The garden will be open from 2-5pm, and Susan will be providing her Housekeeper's homemade teas, albeit with a slightly reduced menu in early April (cakes not scones, basically...).

Why not pop along to visit us this Spring?

You just can't feel melancholic when cherry blossom is around.  Fact.  You see, even the photo made you happier. 

 And so it is for the birds also, who have started their orchestral mutterings this week in particular with great determination, as if tuning up for the symphony to come over the coming months.

 There is something about the cherry blossom which enforces communal satisfaction.  So with that in mind, here are some images for general happiness.

 And the award for Best Supporting Actor goes to... the grape hyacinth collective

 Even the moss was aglow today, growing on today's featured cherry tree

And bizarrely, the first frond of wisteria has come out.  A bit early, I'd say.  But it's going to make for a lovely visit on Iford's first open day of the season this year:  Sunday 3rd April, 2-5pm