Old School Garden

Tucked between the busy M25 and A3 motorways in Surrey, Painshill Park was created in the 18th century by the Hon. Charles Hamilton, as a fine example of naturalistic landscape.
Hamilton was among the first plant enthusiasts to introduce new species and hybrids from the USA, some of which are still present at Painshill today. He obtained many of his plants from renowned American nurseryman John Bartram (Pennsylvania).

The Gardens were restored in the 1980s using 18th century plans and illustrations, and John Bartram’s plants have been carefully researched and added to the garden since then. The Collection was awarded full status in 2006, and displays over 100 taxa of North American plants. Here are just a few which were beginning to show their autumn colours last month:

In addition to these rather interesting plants, there are information panels explaining how plants and seeds were transported during long boat journeys…

What better time to plan your garden shelter for next year than as the frost and snow start to cover the ground? And what better place for inspiration than Australia?

The above set is all designed by BKK Architects for the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. Given their public nature, the shelters are more of a resting spot that a place to entertain, but with a little imagination, you can surely picture how you might use any of these spaces for dinner parties or other gatherings.

via tigersheds.com

I’m not sure how I feel about the above curved structure being linked to an article entitled The Feminisation of the Garden Shed, but… The size and shape are ideal for back garden corners, particularly for narrow lots. The curve (the feminine aspect?) will soften a corner, visually expanding the space and creating a more inviting focal point.

via newgardendesigning.blogspot.ca

A shelter need not…

Steam rises from the damp soil  as the nurseryman hoses down the careful rows of potted plants. At 10am the heat is already intense and I keep close to the shade of the walls as we descend the steps to the coffee shop. Ahead the sound of a fountain and the welcoming arms of a spreading acacia tree. This is the Four Seasons garden centre in Lilongwe , and we’ve missed breakfast, so two vanilla milkshakes are quickly ordered.

There are several small gift and clothes shops, readying themselves for the day, as well as a restaurant or two.

Gourds for sale

But of course it’s the plants I want to see – lots of exotic looking ones, which I remember from my days of living in South Africa, as well as the familiar roses, which grow very well here, and a fine assortment of terracotta pots. It seems very…

My recent stay in Johannesburg fortunately coincided with the World Orchid Conference and Show, sometimes called the Olympics of Orchids, at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The Theme was “Gold in the Green Age”, reflecting the natural riches of southern Africa and the need to balance the exploitation of these riches with the preservation of the natural environment.

South Africa has almost 500 wild orchids, many only growing in SA. In Gauteng,the home province, there are 54 recorded wild orchid species, mostly terrestrial grassland orchids much threatened now by urban development.

I loved the Cape Orchid Society’s Stand which recreated a botanist’s study, complete with microscope and small reference library.

Botanist’s study, World Orchid Show, Johannesburg

There were representatives from the orchid societies across South Africa, including the local Witwatersrand Orchid Society, whose emblem is the spring-flowering Leopard orchid (Ansellia africana).

Leopard orchid

There were participants from Denmark, Ecuador…

Leonardo da Vinci was already in his sixties when he was prevailed upon by King Francis I to move to the French court at Amboise in the Loire valley.

Chateau d’Amboise

The King provided the Château du Clos Lucé, 300 metres from the royal Château d’Amboise – “here you will be free to dream, to think and to work”, said the king, and it was here that da Vinci was to spend the remaining three years of his life, working on perfecting his inventions, his creative mind never still.

The view from da Vinci’s bedroom of the Chateau d’Amboise and the Church of St Hubert, where he was buried.

Da Vinci was a true Renaissance man, not just the artist renowned for “The Last Supper” and “Mona Lisa”, but a sculptor, engineer, inventor, architect, anatomist, botanist and creator of lavish court festivities. At Clos Lucé today, reconstructions of…

Sewefontein (1878) is a tranquil Old World farm accommodation located in the heart of Namaqualand.

The farm offers seven fresh water fountains, natural swimming pools in the river, hiking trails, waterfall and canyon, Rock Art, wild flowers, rich animal and bird life.
http://www.nieuwoudtville.com/sewefontein/