Cone flower

Our second garden visit of the weekend was a great contrast to yesterdays.

Ian Hamilton-Findlay was withering in his criticism of modern gardening - His view was that 'superior gardens are composed of glooms and not of plants and trees.'  He would not have liked todays garden.

Just along the road is a walled garden currently under development.  The wall has been restored (a necessary first step), a formal pond and a rill have been built and significant planting has been undertaken.  There are lots of open spaces, lots of fine herbaceous plants full of colour and much diversity in shape.  It is clearly a labour of love.

Ian Hamilton-Findlay might have said 'certain gardens are described as retreats when they really are attacks.'  I would not have agreed with him.