Jason Lattier's Garden Journal

Great Dixter

2010-08-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

For my last garden visit in the UK, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Great Dixter. I hate to use the tired old phrase “save the best for last,” but I cannot think of a more appropriate phrase. Walking through the gardens at Great Dixter was an emotional experience more than it was a nice day in the garden. It is the definition of awe-inspiring. The level of gardening, the setting, the plant material, the architecture, everything contributed to rendering me truly speechless. Also, it probably helped that it was the most perfect day, and after hours when there was no one else in the garden and the light was soft at the verge of sunset. I was lucky enough to have Stephen Crisp as my guide yet again, and it was nice to see that a seasoned gardener who has been to Great Dixter many times was experiencing the same level of emotion.

The house at Great Dixter dates from the mid 15^th century, and received future additions after Nathanial Lloyd’s purchase of the house in 1909. Lloyd and architect Edwin Lutyens designed the new additions to the original structure, and soon after started plans for a garden. Though Nathanial Lloyd began the gardens, it was his son Christopher (Christo) who would make Great Dixter one of the most beautiful private gardens in the world. Christopher Lloyd became one of England’s most beloved garden writers, and chroniclers of the intensive gardening history at Great Dixter.

Many gardening students have flocked to Great Dixter over the years to learn the innovated design elements, and to have the freedom to experiment with new combinations of form, color, and texture. One such student was Fergus Garrett, whose talent quickly caught the eye of Christo. Fergus and Christo soon developed a close friendship, and Fergus was placed in a permanent position at the garden. Fergus became Head Gardener at Great Dixter after Christo’s death in 2006, and is currently managing the legendary landscape with a team of students and volunteers.

As my last garden visit before heading home to the US, Great Dixter has a special place in my memory. Walking through the garden, I reflected on what an amazing journey I had through the British Isles, and all the wonderful people who have helped me achieve my goals as a student horticulturist. This was truly one of the greatest opportunities of my life, and I will never forget all of the friends I made along the way. I received a lifetime of experiences that have enriched my life in ways I cannot fully express. So in closing, I wish all who read these memoirs the very best. And Happy Gardening!

Hidcote

2010-08-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

During one of my fieldtrips with Stephen Crisp, we visited the lovely Hidcote Manor Garden. Little is known of the 40 years of work that Lawrence Waterbury Johnston spent creating Hidcote.

The mysterious designer kept little in the way of records, and wrote no articles on his landscape. From just a handful of beech trees, and old cedar, and an open field, Johnston managed to create and intricate and brilliantly designed garden that designers are still studying today. The garden is as complex in design as any house; it consists of many garden rooms and corridors that are accentuated with lush, colorful plantings.

There is no set route around Hidecote which can become confusing to some visitors; however, this style allows for the discovery of secret areas seemingly tucked away from major pathways. There is a certain geometric logic that anchors Hidcote. This can best be seen in the 2 great corridors which stretch out in right angles. A breathtaking addition to Hidcote is how certain gardens open up to magnificent views of the Vale of Evesham.

Hidcote was obtained by the National Trust in 1948, and holds some significance as being the first property bought solely on the impact of the garden. Indeed, the National Trust “learned to garden” by their addition of Hidcote.

During my visit to Hidcote, there was a slight rain which gave the garden a certain ethereal quality. I cannot describe how much I enjoyed my visit, and having the head gardener of the Winfield House by my side to explain the finer points of the garden’s design was a real treat.

Sissinghurst

2010-08-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

While working at the Winfield House in London, I was fortunate enough to accompany Stephen Crisp (Head Gardener-Winfield House) on a trip to Sissinghurst. Sissinghurst is a garden built on a truly ancient site in the weald of Kent. Weald (from the Old English for “forest”) is an name given to an area of South West England lying between the parallel chalk escarpments of the North and South Downs. In the Middle Ages, Sissinghurst existed as a manor house with a three-armed moat. By 1305, the village was impressive enough to receive an overnight visit from King Edward I. By 1573, Sissinghurst attained further honor by having Queen Elizabeth I visit the village for three days.

By the 1930’s, Sissinghurst was unfortunately derelict and in ruins when Harold Nicolson and wife Vita Sackville-West decided to renovate the property. A most unusual couple, Harold was an English author, diplomat, diarist, and politician, and his wife Vita was a prolific garden writer garden writer, author, poet, and member of the Bloomsbury Group. The two had what we would call today “an open marriage,” both having multiple affairs with same-sex partners.

After studying this couple for my visit to Sissinghurst, I became stunned and fascinated by the so-called Bloomsbury Group. A group of intellectuals from different fields that held informal discussions in Bloomsbury during the 20^th century, the Bloomsbury Group had members ranging from John Maynard Keynes (“Keynesian Economics”/proponent of free markets), and noted author Virginia Woolf. Indeed Vita’s fringe involvement in the Bloomsbury Group brought about her most famous affair with Virginia Woolf which lasted for most of the 1920’s. Woolf’s novel Orlando (1928), dedicated to Vita, is partially a biographical tale of Vita’s life.

In Vita and Harold’s spare time, when they were not engaging in what must have been scandalous behavior at the time, they managed to create one of England’s most inspired gardens. The design of Sissinghurst was largely influenced by the styles of Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. The garden consists of multiple garden rooms created by a mixture of high clipped hedges and pink brick walls. The gardens are lush and colorful, and the views from the top of the Elizabethan tower are simply breathtaking.

In 2009, Sissinghurst was featured in an eight-part documentary by BBC Four entitled “Sissinghurst.” The documentary accounts the attempts of Adam Nicolson, wife Sarah Raven, and the National Trust to restore a type of Wealden agriculture to the castle farm. The land will be used to supply produce to the licensed restaurant at Sissinghurst.

Conservation Biotechnology Unit - Kew

2010-08-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

During my few weeks at Kew, I worked entirely with the team of scientists at the Conservation Biotechnology Unit. My main focus was assisting in the Sainsbury Orchid Project, an effort to conserve and re-establish endangered British and European orchids using the technique of micropropagation. The objectives of the project are to 1) investigate techniques for in vitro mycorrhizal-assisted germination, asymbiotic propagation and planting methods for target species, selected from the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and from Prioritized lists prepared by English Nature, and 2) to provide plants for reestablishment and for other conservation purposes. (http://www.kew.org/science/directory/projects/SainsburyOrchCons.html)

Most of my efforts at Kew’s CBU centered on endangered orchids of the British Isles, the most notable being Cypripedium calceolus (the nearly extinct British ladyslipper orchid).

On a day to day basis, I would help prepare orchid tissue culture media, subculture orchids on to fresh media, collect and sterilize seeds for germination, and perform viability tests on older seeds from the orchid seed bank. A nice surprise during my last week with the CBU team was receiving a visit from National Geographic magazine. They were interested in writing a story on Kew’s efforts to rescue the dwindling native orchid population, and hopefully the article will be published this spring.

Many thanks to Sarasan, Grace, John, and the rest of the CBU team for your friendship and for a great learning experience.

RBG Kew

2010-08-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

After finishing up my stint at RHS Wisley, it was finally time to move back to London for the duration of my scholarship. My next stop was the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, probably the most notable garden in all of the UK, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was an honor just to visit, and actually getting to work in the laboratories was the chance of a lifetime.

In the gardens, Kew offers a chance to visit one of the world's oldest Victorian palmhouses, a cutting edge and award-winning Alpine glass house, one of the smallest British royal palaces (Kew Palace), several museums and conservatories, a great pagoda (designed by Sir William Chambers), several galleries, a tree top walkway, a water lily house, and the list goes on and on.

Kew also maintains one of the largest herbariums in the world, as well as one of the largest seed banks in concert with the Millennium Seed Bank project at Wakehurst Place. In addition, Kew houses one of the largest libraries in the worlds archiving collections of botanical books, illustrations, photographs, periodicals, etc.

Kew is simply a monumental garden, and must be visited to be appreciated. As a student at Kew, I was lucky enough to visit some of the behind-the-scenes areas of Kew. One of the highlights was visiting the herbarium housing the mycology collection, and getting to hold the sample of Penicillium fungi that Alexander Fleming used to discover Penicillin. Another highlight was working for the Conservation Biotechnology Unit where I assisted in growing endangered or near extinct British orchids in tissue culture.

My entire experience at Kew was unforgettable, and I hope to return soon one day as there is so much of the garden left to explore.

Hampton Court

2010-08-02T18:56:00.000-07:00

While working at Wisley, I was lucky enough to visit the historic Hampton Court Palace in Richmond. Hampton Court was originally built for Cardinal Wolsey, Archbishop of York and favorite of Henry VIII, around 1529. Just a few years after, the King along with enemies of Wolsey began to orchestrate his downfall, and in response, Wolsey gifted Hampton Court to the King. This began the legendary Tudor Period at Hampton Court.

While walking the halls of Hampton Court, it was staggering to think of all the historic events that happened during Henry VIII’s time. What struck me most was learning of the often tragic history of Henry VIII’s wives.

The first tragedy to befall the women of Hampton Court was the inability of Lady Catherine (Henry VIII’s first wife) to give him an heir, having all her children (except for Mary) die at infancy. After becoming infatuated with Anne Boleyn, the King along with Anne (a figure in the Reformation movement) worked to defy Papal authority and have the King’s first marriage annulled. With her own keen intelligence, political acumen, occasional brashness of manner, Anne was blamed by the public for much of the tyranny of Henry VIII’s reign including the execution of Sir Thomas Moore and Bishop John Fisher. With the negative public image, a second miscarriage of a potential heir, and enemies of Anne looming in the religious and political upheaval of the time, the King along with Thomas Cromwell orchestrated a travesty of justice that resulted in her arrest, charges of infidelity, and execution at the Tower of London in 1536.

After tiring of his second wife, Anne Boleyn, the King moved his mistress Jane Seymour into Hampton Court prior to Anne’s beheading. Just ten days after Anne’s execution, the King took Jane as his third wife. In 1537, the King finally received his heir, Edward VI, by his beloved Jane Seymour, but the difficult birth unfortunately resulted in her death a few days later.

The King was only married to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleaves, for 6 months before having the marriage annulled calling her “the King’s beloved sister.” The marriage was apparently never consummated. Just four years after Edward’s birth, the King was informed of his fifth wife’s infidelity while attending Mass in the chapel at Hampton court. Catherine Howard was reportedly dragged away kicking and screaming from the gallery leading into the chapel, and was beheaded on the grounds of treason.

Henry VIII’s final marriage to his 6^th wife Catherine Parr would remain until his death in 1547. During her marriage, Catherine Parr was able to reconcile the King with his daughters from previous marriages, who would go on to be Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. She was also reported to have a good relationship with the heir to the throne, King Edward VI.

I would like to say a special thanks to Judy Moss for taking me to Hampton Court; it was so exciting to visit such a lavish and historic place. It was a trip I won’t soon forget.

RHS Wisley

2010-08-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

After an unforgettable few weeks in Scotland, it was time to return to England for my next assignment at RHS Wisley. The RHS Wisley is one of the largest and most important gardens in the UK. Wisley maintains a plant collection of about 30,000 taxa (one of the largest in the world) including a comprehensive fruit collection, as well as vegetable, alpine, bulb, herbaceous, and woody collections. Wisley’s new glasshouse is a welcomed addition bringing many new visitors to the desert, rainforest, and tropical plant collections.

Upon arriving at Wisley, I met with Marjorie Noel in the Education Department to receive my amazing itinerary. I was only at Wisley for about two and a half weeks, but I feel I must have rotated through almost every department in the garden.

My main focus at Wisley was Education. During my first week, I was able to assist with guided walks, teaching sessions, and school visits where children were taught about plants and gardening. The entire Education staff had such a passion for teaching; it was quite inspirational to observe them at work. I also had the opportunity to work in many areas of the garden, assisting on the perennial border, the rock garden, “seven acres,” and the pinetum. While not in the gardens, I was able to spend several days working in the plant pathology labs, entomology labs, and the herbarium.

Many thanks to Jim Bliss, Vivian Lee, and Judy Moss for opening up their homes to me during my stay at Wisley. And a special thanks to Marjorie Noel for creating such an amazing itinerary for me.

RBG Dawyck

2010-07-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

The Royal Botanic Garden Dawyck (pronounced ‘Doik”) stands as a monument to some of the greatest plant hunters of the 19^th and 20^th century. A living testament to the work of Wilson, Forrest, Farrer, and Kingdon Ward, Dawyck is situated on what would otherwise be a barren hillside on the river Tweed in one of the coldest regions of Britain (8 miles southwest of Peebles in the Scottish Borders).

Three families are solely responsible for creating this magnificent garden: the Veitches (1491-1691), the Naesmyths (1691-1897), and the Balfours (1897-1978). Their combined efforts produced over three hundred years of specialist tree plantings. The Vietches of Dawyck have the distinction of introducing Scotland’s very first exotic tree, the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), in 1650. There are, in fact, silver firs (Abies alba) still growing at Dawyck planted by the Veitches in 1680.

Planting at Dawyck developed on a grand scale under the Naesmyth family. The 2^nd (Sir James) was a botanist who trained under Linnaeus, and who reportedly planted the great European Larches (Larix decidua) at Dawyck accompanied by the legendary botanist. Sir James’s grandson, Sir John, made even more of an impact on the Dawyck grounds by planting 2000 acres of mixed woodland. He also was attributed to the discovery of an oddly upright (fastigiate) beech which would later become the famed ‘Dawyck Beech’ (Larix decidua ‘Dawyck’). Sir John also invested in the lucrative plant-hunting expeditions of East Asia and North America sponsored by Veitch Nurseries.

In 1897, Dawyck was purchased by Mrs. Alexander Balfour, the mother of FRS Balfour who would later underplant the Naesmyth woodlands with hundreds of Rhododendrons, and (literally) tons of daffodils. The tree planting under the Balfours was much influenced by Fred Balfour’s trips to North America. In a constant search for new trees, he subscribed to plant-hunting expeditions of both the Far West and Far East, and was heavily influenced by the collections of EH Wilson. In 1927, he was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honor for his work in forestry and arboriculture.

In 1978, the Dawyck Estate was gifted to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh by Colonel AN Balfour, and has remained one of the most beautiful gardens in all of Scotland. On a personal note, I walked these gardens with a constant state of amazement. Along with Great Dixter, it was the highlight of my garden visits while in the UK, and a garden I desperately want to visit again. I hope I captured some of the breathtaking views around the gardens in my photographs. But I firmly believe Dawyck must be experienced first-hand to full appreciate it.

RBG Edinburgh Greenhouse and Herbarium

2010-07-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

While working at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, I took part in a RBG student tour of the greenhouses and herbarium. One of the highlights was climbing to the top of the old palmhouse where you can see breathtaking views of the city and gardens below. It is too dangerous to allow the general public on top of the glasshouses, so it was nice to get this seldom seen view of Edinburgh. Another highlight was the tour through the herbarium, where I was allowed to peruse the historic collections of George Forrest, EH Wilson, and Charles Darwin. Plant nerd heaven!

RGB Edinburgh Rock Garden

2010-07-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

Built in the 1860's, the RBG Edinburgh Rock Garden was created to maintain its ever growing collection of alpine plants, and has remained one of the world's best. The idea of a rock garden was a new concept in gardening, and much praise was lauded on the RBGE upon its creation.

The garden has gone through several redesigns, and has perpetually grown as more introductions have been made by famous plant collecters like the Scotsman George Forrest, who returned from China with many new species including Meconopsis, dwarf Rhododendrons, and rare Primulas.

Water has always been a feature in the RBGE's Rock Garden, with ponds and streams running throughout. The gardened habitats have been restricted to the edges of the water, which are planted with marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), large Parrotia persica (from northern Iran), and much more.

The rock garden also provides the highest point in the garden which yields unparalleled views of the Edinburgh skyline. The combination of the cityscape with the backdrop running water surrounded by of 5000 plants from the worlds mountainous, arctic, and rocky Mediterranean climates creates quite an inspiring moment for any garden visitor.

Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh

2010-07-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

During my first week in Edinburgh, I had the privilege of joining the team of gardeners at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh. My work consisted of mostly traditional gardening tasks, however, most of the tasks were in preparation for a royal visit (from the Queen!). Probably the most exciting of these tasks included felling a large tree that decided it didn't want to live anymore. It was amazing how much of the tree would go through the gigantic, loud, obnoxious wood chipper (American made of course!). It was quite a sight to behold watching this metal beast devouring a poor dead tree.

At many points during a work day, I would have the luxury of stepping away from work to take photos when the weather turned salubrious. Strolling through the garden was the best way to discover some of the RBG Edinburgh's most memorable features including the glass houses, the alpine house and gardens, the extensive Rhododendron collections, the woodland garden, the Chinese hillside, and much more. At certain points along my strolls through the garden, I could catch breathtaking views of Old Town, which only added to the charm of plant collections.

As a student, I also took part in a tour through the herbarium and research greenhouses, where I was able to observe specimen from notable collecters such as George Forrest, E. H. Wilson, and Darwin. The research glasshouses held equally fascinating material, including one of the largest and most important collections of Vireya Rhododendrons in the world.

It was truly and amazing few weeks working at the RBG Edinburgh, much thanks to Martyn Dickson and the garden staff for making me feel so welcome.

Edinburgh Castle

2010-07-11T17:24:00.000-07:00

Edinburgh, Scotland

2010-07-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

After an unforgettable few weeks in London, it was time for me to pack up once again and head north about 5 hours on the National Rail to Edinburgh, Scotland. Riding the train through the Scottish countryside delivers more than a few breathtaking views. Especially when the train seems to be teetering on the edge of a precipice overlooking the ocean. Once I arrived in town, I was ready to drop my bags and begin my wanderings. However, let me tell you, cobblestones do not mix well with rolling suitcases.

After a bit of a bumpy stroll, I finally made it to my fabulous flat off Dublin Street. Thanks to my friend Sam Carlisle who let me stay in his flat, I procured yet another free place to stay in one of the greatest cities in the world. Much thanks to Sam!

During my few weeks in Edinburgh, I was lucky enough to stroll most of Old Town and a good bit of New Town, and once again, my camera accompanied me on many of my trips. Edinburgh was such a charming and romantic place to live, and all the colorful people I met there made the trip a complete riot. Truly some of the most fun I've had yet on my journey through the UK.

London Wanderings

2010-06-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

During my first few weeks in London, I visited as many museums and landmarks as possible when not working at Chelsea. I always enjoyed taking my camera along for a stroll about town, even at the risk of looking like a tourist. Anyway, I was a tourist!

I was continually overwhelmed at the amount of fun places you can visit for free in London. Museums I visited in my first few weeks included the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Victoria and Albert Museum, British Museum, and the Natural History Museum. I also visited cultural attractions such as the Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, Houses of Parliment, and Downing Street.

It was truly an amazing experience living in London, and I can't wait to be back this summer when I start work at the legendary Kew Gardens. But next stop, Edinburgh Scotland! Hoot, mon!

Chelsea Flower Show 2010

2010-06-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

"Places of Change" at Chelsea

2010-06-27T11:50:00.001-07:00

Buildup - Chelsea Flower Show

2010-06-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

After my stint in the Scilly Isles, I hopped a train back to London Town in preparation for the legendary Chelsea Flower Show. I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Eden Project’s garden, which was to become the largest garden in the show’s history. The garden, entitled “Places of Change” was designed, grown, built, and installed with the help of former offender groups and homeless hostels from across England. Many of the individuals helping with the project worked with the Eden Project garden, “The Key,” the year before and the opportunity greatly benefited their lives. It was quite special for me to be a part of such a project, which became so much more than just a pretty garden. After the final judging, the garden won a Silver Flora medal.

While working at Chelsea, I had the unique opportunity of staying in Smith Square near Westminster in the fabulous flat of Mrs. Nancy McLaren. Her late husband was the namesake and benefactor of the scholarship I was awarded, the Martin F. McLaren Scholarship. Staying with Mrs. McLaren was a unique pleasure, and I am forever grateful for her hospitality. Just a few of her generosities included afternoon lapsang souchong tea in her flat, exquisite traditional English dinners at nearby Shephard’s, and two tickets for me and a guest to the fabulous play “War Horse” at the New London Theatre. I will never forget my first trip to London, and I plan on returning as often as possible before leaving the UK.

The Eden Project’s “Places of Change”:

http://www.edenproject.com/whats-it-all-about/what-we-do/projects-and-programmes/Eden-at-Chelsea-RHS.php

http://www.placesofchangegarden.org.uk/

Tresco Abbey Garden

2010-06-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

Living and working at Tresco Abbey Garden was a dream come true. There is something so surreal about being on a tiny island just over 1 square mile wide, living in the top of an old abbey with only bicycles for transportation, flashy golden pheasants everywhere, even flashier plants with eye-popping colors and forms that can be described only with the use of a geometry textbook. Needless to say, I had the time of my life.

To fully appreciate Tresco Abbey Garden, one must start with the tale of its pugnacious progenitor, Augustus Smith. Remarkably, the entire Isles of Scilly were leased from the Duchy of Cornwall by the enterprising son of a Hertfordshire gentleman in 1834. Augustus Smith took out a 99 year lease with stipulations to improve the faltering economy of the islands, a task that would become his life’s work, and help create his complex and often controversial persona.

Smith based his ideas on the utilitarian philosophies of Jeremy Bentham, and gained little friends on the islands by the arbitrary way in which he enacted his ideas. Though constantly shrouded in controversy, and even denounced from the pulpit in his hometown of Hertfordshire, Smith managed to improve the plight of the island and enact some very progressive laws for his time. Most famously, Smith introduced compulsory education on the Islands some 40 years before it was adopted on the mainland. For all his efforts, Augustus Smith and his descendents made the Isles what they are today, and in his spare time he created one of the most unique gardens in the world.

Seeking privacy and room to build, Smith moved from St. Mary’s to Tresco because of its central location which gave it protection from the Atlantic by the other islands. On Tresco existed the ruins of the priory of St. Nicholas, a 9^th century priory attached to the Benedictine Tavistock Abbey which lasted until the 16^th century. Only two arches and a small crumbling wall remained, and would act as a starting point for the Abbey garden. After Smith attempted to build 12ft stone walls, he quickly realized that a more permanent solution was needed to protect the expanding garden from the salty Atlantic gales. He trialed many tree species but found Cupressus macrocarpa and Pinus radiata from the Monterey Peninsula in California to perform the best. With the shelterbelts growing tall, Smith and his gardeners began the process of collecting and planting specimen from every corner of the world in his Abbey garden.

Today, the garden burgeons with a treasure-trove of plants from areas such as Chile, Mexico, California, South Africa, New Zealand, and the Canary Islands. The mild temperatures provided by the Gulf Stream, and the sheltered position within the fortress of Monterey Pines and Cypress provide Tresco Abbey Garden a unique microclimate for producing a lush and stellar garden.

Most of my favorite plants throughout the garden come from the Proteaceae family. Genera such as Protea, Banksia, Leucodendron, Grevillea, and Hakea produce flowers with fluorescent color and stunning architecture. Leucodendron argenteum, the “Silver Tree” from the Cape Peninsula, was used heavily throughout the garden, and displays yellow flowers nestled within the flashy silver leaves.

Tresco Abbey Garden also houses part of the Acacia Collection (85 species) for the NCCPG (National Collection for Conservation of Plants and Gardens). Other noteworthy plants throughout the garden include Metrosideros excelsa (the “New Zealand Christmas Tree”), Puya chilensis, Auracaria (“Monkey Puzzle” and “Norfolk Island Pine”), Jubea chilensis (“Chilean Wine Palm”), Aeonium (“Scilly Cabbage”), Kunzea baxteri, Furcraea longeava, Echium , Cyathea medullaris (a stunning black-stemmed tree fern), Callistemon (“Australian Bottlebrush”), Brugmansia sanguinea, Aloe, and Beschorneria yuccoides (a Mexican Agave with a HUGE red inflorescence). And that’s just the short list! Even the weeds at Tresco can be counted among the visitors favorite plants, including the impressive Geranium maderense and Agapanthus praecox orientalis.

I will sincerely never forget the gardens at Tresco Abbey, as well as all the amazing friends I made along the way. A special thanks to Mike Nelhams (curator) and Andrew Lawson (head gardener) for welcoming into your beautiful garden, and thanks again to Jon Taylor for letting me stay in your fantastic flat at the top of the abbey.

Tresco - Isles of Scilly

2010-06-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

After my travels through Cornwall took me all the way to the southwestern tip of England, I decided to keep going! I charted a ferry and sailed the choppy 28 mile stretch of water to the Isles of Scilly for an amazing stay at the Tresco Abbey Garden. The Isles of Scilly form an archipelago off the southwest coast of Cornwall, and are made up of 5 major islands: St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martins, Bryher, and St. Agnes.

I spent most of my time on Scilly’s second largest island, Tresco. Tresco is only 1.15 sq miles, measuring 2.2 miles by 1.09 miles. There are very few shops, hotels, and just buildings in general, and the permanent population of the island numbers less than 200. There are no cars; everyone cycles to their destination with the exception of a few golf carts and tractors. There are two great ruins on the island (see photos), Cromwell’s Castle and Charles’ castle. The castles provide great views of the Tresco coast from their lofty positions, and also provide nice views of the surrounding islands (Bryher being the closest).

I had the great fortune of being on the island during the World Pilot Gig Championships (http://www.worldgigs.co.uk/) and it was great fun watching the hundreds of gigs race back and forth between the islands. The crews produced some colorful characters, and made for loads of fun while on the island.

The best experience must, however, be my weeks spent at the Tresco Abbey Garden, which I will not try to describe in this post. For now, just enjoy the photos from around the island. Thanks also to Jon Taylor for his nice helicopter photos, and for letting me sleep on his couch. Cheers!

Trengwainton

2010-05-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

Trengwainton is a spectacular garden in the Penzance region positioned overlooking Mount’s Bay, with fantastic views of St. Michael’s Mount and the Lizard Peninsula. Trengwainton is the Cornish name for “the settlement of spring” as the warm Gulf currents and sheltered environment make it perfect for cultivating a wide variety of plants.

The garden consists of a long and thin 98 acres full of Rhododendrons, Camellias, and Azaleas flanking the drive that leads up to the house. There are also running streams and still ponds, as well as a series of walled gardens housing a variety of unique plants and vegetable crops.

There has been a dwelling at Trengwainton since the 16^th century, and the estate belonged to the respected Cornish family Arundell during the 18^th century. In 1814, Rose Price, son of wealthy Jamaican sugar planter purchased the estate. He was soon made a baronet and began to make improvements to the house. He also began planting trees on a considerable scale and built the brick-walled gardens with their unusual sloping beds for growing food crops. The year after his death, William Wilburforce’s Emancipation Act freed the slaves working his Jamaican plantation. Since this was his only source of income, Price’s heirs were force to sell Trengwainton to pay off his debts.

T.S. Bolithos, a wealthy banker and descendent of an ancient Cornish family, bought the property in 1867. Several generations later, Sir Edward Bolitho was the first to truly transform the gardens along with his head gardener Alfred Creek. Three great Cornish plantsmen (JC Williams of Caerhays, PD Williams of Lanarth, and Canon AT Boscawen of Ludgvan) helped his efforts with advice and gifts of Rhododendrons and other shrubs.

In 1926, GH Johnstone of Trewithen and Lawrence Johnston of Hidecote Manor offered Bolitho a share in Frank Kingdon-Ward’s 1927-1928 plant-hunting expedition to north-east Assam and the Mishmi Hills in upper Burma. The seed collected from this trip provided much of the new plant material for Trengwainton, and it was through the skill of the head gardener (Creek) that these tender seedlings were raised to specimen quality. Rhododendron macabeanum, R. elliottii, R. taggianum, and R. concatenans flowered for the first time on the British Isles at Trengwainton.

Trewithen

2010-05-26T06:54:00.001-07:00

The house at Trewithen was originally built by Philip Hawkins in 1715, and included a much smaller and older dwelling first recorded in the Doomsday Book. The Doomsday Book was completed in 1086 for William I of England (William the Conqueror) and included large scale surveys to determine how much land and livestock was owned by each individual landowner. The book became absolute law and was used to determine levels of taxation. The House was later enlarged and remodeled for Philip’s heir by the famous architect Sir Robert Taylor. The Estate has remained, through marriage, in perpetual ownership by one family for over 280 years.

At the front of the house there is a small museum housing a number of historical curios - including the only full set of horse boots in Cornwall. Horse boots were made of leather and were worn to stop hooves cutting up the lawn. As if horse boots weren’t interesting enough (ahem), the museum also houses the ‘Travelling Trees' Exhibition that details the gripping history of the Plant Hunters. Much more to my liking.

The gardens at Trewithen boast 24 Champion trees, and are renowned for their collection of Magnolias and Camellias. Also found throughout the garden is the wildflower meadow, woodland glades, exotic fern collections, treetop viewing platforms, a peaceful woodland walk, and the Sycamore Avenue. The avenue is one of the original parts of the garden, and is rumored to have a carriage horse (from the Hawkins coach which travelled between Trewithen and Trewinnard) buried under each of the trees. In 2007, the avenue was planted with 3000 Cornish bred daffodils, crocus, and scillas for a breathtaking spring display.

The nursery and plant center at Trewithen has attained international recognition due to the release of some wonderful cultivars, including Camellia ‘Trewithen Pink’, Rhododendron ‘Alison Johnstone’, and the ever popular Ceanothus ‘Trewithen Blue.’ Many of these beautiful “Trewithen” cultivars are scattered throughout the gardens. Sadly, my camera battery died early in my tour, so to see some of these amazing displays, you will all have to come visit the gardens for yourselves!

St. Michael's Mount

2010-05-25T02:08:00.000-07:00

During my time in the Penzance region, I toured the small town of Marazion and its wonderful island fortress, St. Michael’s Mount. The Mount has served many roles throughout its long history; it has been a port, a monastery, and a private home with the oldest parts of the building dating to the 12^th century.

When I arrived for my visit, the Mount was shrouded in dense fog, and it was not until I started my pilgrimage across the causeway and up the steps that the grandeur of the site was revealed. The surrounding mist added an ethereal quality to the experience, and hopefully made for some interesting photographs. Around every corner, the Mount was teeming with history. Most notably, the monks of the Mount lit the first signal fire warning of the invasion by the Spanish Armada in 1587. Several painting lining the hallways of the Mount beautifully detailed this historic event.

For a broader history, the “Castle Guide” gives a nice summary: “After the Norman invasion, Robert, half brother of William the Conqueror, was made Earl of Cornwall and in 1070 granted St. Michael’s Mount to the Benedictine Abbey of Mont St. Michel. In 1135, Abbot Bernard founded a church on the summit of the island. The bond between Mont and the Mount continued until 1414 when St Michaels’s Mount was appropriated as an alien property by King Henry V during the Hundred Years War with France. A small community of monks remained until 1548 and the dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII.”

“As well as being a religious centre, the Mount saw sporadic military action – notably when it was captured at the end of the twelfth century, under siege during the War of the Roses, and again during the Civil War. Many of the defensive structures and gun batteries seen on the way up the Mount were built between 1642 and 1646. Following its ultimate surrender to Parliamentarian forces, Colonel John St. Aubyn was appointed Governor of the Mount. Twelve years later, he was able to buy it and his descendents live in the castle to the present day.”

“In 1954, Francis St. Aubyn, third Lord St. Levan, gave most of the island to the National trust, but retained a 999 year lease for the family to live in the castle and to show the most historic rooms to the visiting public. Today, his grandson, James St. Aubyn, lives at the Mount with his wife Mary and their four children.”

Many thanks to the former McLaren Scholar, Michael Harvey, for your friendship and for your efforts in the gardens at St. Michael’s Mount. The gardens look absolutely amazing. Also, many thanks, to Gilbert and Helen McCabe for your hospitality and friendship during my time in the Penzance region.

Hiking the Cornish Coast

2010-05-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

While staying at a lovely, private manor house near Penzance, I began hiking the beautiful southern coast of Cornwall. In my meanderings, I made all the way from Mousehole to Land's end. Though I was completely knackered by the end!

Caerhays Castle

2010-05-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

Caerhays Castle was founded by the Williams family who were dominant figures in the Cornish Industrial Revolution owning mines and smelting works. The family was responsible for the development of many popular hybrid shrubs and trees, as well as the gardens at Burncoose, Gwennap, and St. Michael Caerhays.

Caerhays Castle is a mock-mediaeval castle, designed by John Nash on the south coast of Cornwall, at St Michael Caerhays, between Truro and St Austell. The garden at Caerhays holds the NCCPG National Magnolia Collection, and boasts 75 Champion trees. The history of this influential plant collection began with Caerhays' former owner, JC Williams.

Upon the opening of China to the West, many gardeners (including JC) were fascinated by the new plants returning from the great British plant expeditions at the end of the 19^th century. Among the most influential plant explorers was EH Wilson, whose first expedition to China in 1900 returned 1500 packets of seeds to the Chelsea nurseryman and investor, James Veitch. Almost half of the new plant material from EH Wilson’s collection were Rhododendrons, and knowing how well suited Cornwall was for growing Rhododendrons, Veitch asked JC Williams to grow an assortment at Caerhays. Many of the first Rhododendrons were large enough to be planted outdoors in 1905 and 1906, and some of them (including R. lutescens) still exist to this day. By 1910, more plants came into the collection at Caerhays from the noted Scottish plant collector, George Forrest.

Like so many gardeners of his generation, JC developed a passion for plant hybridization. From 1910 until his death in 1939, JC introduced many new hybrids of Rhodendron and Magnolia including the popular long-blooming R. ‘Crossbill’ (R. lutescens x R. spinuliferum). However, JC is probably remembered most for his work with Camellias. His brilliant cross C. japonica x C. salunensis produced the exquisite Camellia x williamsii, which retained the glossy dark leaves and appealing form of C. japonica while incorporating a profusion of large C. salunensis flowers. C. x williamsii is still considered by many to be the best Camellia to grow in Great Britain.

Lost Gardens of Heligan

2010-05-08T07:31:00.000-07:00

The gardens of Heligan developed over 150 years through 4 generations of the Tremayne family. John Hearle Tremayne began the great Heligan tradition of collecting new and unusual specimen plants. Among the many plants that John Hearle added to the garden, the most famous was probably Cornus capitata, first cultivated at Heligan. Sir Anthony Buller had been on an expedition in Nepal where he collected seed from the lower slopes of the Himalayas, which he gave to John Hearle Tremayne in 1825.

Through John Hearle Tremayne’s marriage to Caroline, brother of Sir Charles Lemon (a familiar of JD Hooker), the stunning Hooker Rhododendrons came into the Heligan collections. The most magnificent of all the plants in the collection (in my opinion) are the absolutely massive tree Rhododendrons (R. arboretum and R. falconeri).

John Hearle’s son John continued growing Heligan during the great Victorian Imperial period of plant exploration and introduction. By the time of John’s death in 1901, he had contributed many plantings to the garden including the Tree Ferns, distributed by Treseders in the 1890’s, and the Trachycarpus palms.

John’s son Jack returned from Italy in 1891 to continue his father’s work at Heligan. Jack had an artistic nature, and was a very talented architect and plantsman. He designed “the jungle” and the “the ravine,” and created the Italian Garden where he introduced many new exotics including Chinese gooseberry (Actinidia chinenesis, an EH Wilson introduction from Veitch), The Pocket Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata), and Magnolia delavayi.

Jack moved out of Heligan during the Great War when it was used as a military convalescent hospital. Upon returning to Heligan, he soon couldn’t live with “the ghosts” that haunted the gardens. Tragically, so many of the gardeners had lost their life during the war that Jack could not live with the sadness, and so returned to Italy. The gardens began a slow period of decline until Tim Smit (creator of the Eden Project) discovered the property in 1990, and began the amazing process of restoration.

Most of the impressive plants at Heligan resulted from the Tremayne’s patronage of the House of Veitch (Royal Exotic Nursery) and Treseder family. The Veitch’s entrepreneurial spirit led them to invest in many of the greatest plant collectors of all time. During the Veitch’s reign of the horticultural industry, they invested in 22 plant collectors including the Cornish Lobb brothers, Richard Pearce, and EH Wilson.

Some of my favorite large plants at Heligan include: Cornus capitata, Crinodendron hookerianum, Davidia involuctrata, Dicksonia antarctica, Drimys winteri, Eucryphia cordifolia, Hoheria sexstylosa, Magnolia campbellii, Magnolia delavayi, Podocarpus totara, Pseudotsuga menziesii (and its HUGE witch’s broom), Rhododendron arboreum, Rhododendron falconeri, Rhododendron niveum, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Plagianthus betulinus (or P. regius).

And that is just the short list! What an amazing garden.

Coleton Fishacre

2010-05-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

During an Eden Project staff field trip, I had the opportunity to visit a beautiful private estate and garden. Coleton Fishacre House was built in 1926 and designed in the popular Arts and Crafts movement for the D’Oyly Carte family. The house was designed by Oswald Milne (1881 – 1967), assistant to the famous Lutyens who built Caslte Drogo near Drewsteignton.

The gardens are mostly informal, in a winding woodland style with breathtaking views of the Pudcombe Cove. The D’Oyly Carte family even built a tidal sea-water bathing pool at the bottom of the cove, though I did not take a dip. The garden contained plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa, and New Zealand which seem to thrive in the sheltered environment.

Sailing the Cornish Coast

2010-05-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

I had the fortunate opportunity to help crew a race along the Cornish coast from Plymouth to Salcombe during my time at the Eden Project. Unfortunately, there was no wind, but we still got to leisurely motor our way along the race route. It was an absolutely gorgeous day. Glassy blue seas with craggy cliffs in the distance covered in blankets of yellow Gorse flowers. Spotting the occasional castle on the cliffs was exciting; I am constantly reminded of how much history surrounds me. Thanks again to Peter Sandover for having me on your boat!

The Eden Project

2010-05-02T05:28:00.000-07:00

My first work experience finally arrived as I entered the fantastic world of the Eden Project. Conceived by master visionary and former record producer, Tim Smit, the Eden Project houses the world’s tallest greenhouses (or biomes as they are called). Eden was built in old china clay pit, and rises out of the crater like a hidden city from a Jules Verne novel. After a month of visiting historic gardens, spending time in this modern (even futuristic) garden was a welcomed change of pace.

The mission of the Eden Project is centered on opening the public’s eyes about our dependence on plants for almost every aspect of life, and how responsible stewardship of such gifts is vital to producing a sustainable future. Not to mention that Eden goes about promoting this message in such clever and entertaining ways, as to put even Willy Wonka’s factory to shame.

My first rotation was to assist in the “Freaky Nature” exhibit, where we were able to show kids how strange and wonderful plants can be. With our microscopes projected on a huge screen, children from all age groups were fascinated by this “bug’s eye” view of the world. They were particularly astonished to watch pollen tubes growing of all things, with the cytoplasmic streaming very easy to see on the big screen. As for myself, I have a new take on “biocontrol” after watching lacewing nymphs spearing plump aphids and sucking the life out of them. Very cool stuff.

During the rest of my week at Eden, I finally got my hands dirty working in the Nursery, the Humid Tropics Biome, and the Temperate Biome. Everyone I worked with had such a joy about them and such excitement for plants that is was a unique pleasure to be part of “Eden Team,” even if it was for such a short time. However, I look forward to returning to the Eden Team in the lead up to the Chelsea Flower Show. I will be assisting in Eden’s display this year, which will prove to be the largest in the show’s history. I’m really looking forward to being part of such a mammoth display of horticulture.

Charlestown

2010-04-30T02:20:00.000-07:00

After taking the train from Suffolk back to London, it was a quick ride on the Tube to Paddington Station, then a long train ride to Cornwall for my next horticultural adventure. While working at the Eden Project, I stayed in a cozy little apartment in the port village of Charlestown. The surrounding area of St. Austell was once a major exporter of china clay, and the rapacious mining practice over the years have left large ziggurats of clay dotting the skyline.

During my stay, I was fortunate enough to live on the same street made famous in Tim Burton’s recent rendition of Alice in Wonderland. My street can be seen at the very end of the movie when Alice’s ship sets sail, and if you look closely, you can still see the China clay shoot protruding from the dock. Apparently, not all is lost to CGI. Charlestown can also be seen in past movies such as The Three Musketeers, and the famous “Heart of the Ocean” necklace from the film Titanic resides in its National Shipwreck Museum.

Lavenham

2010-04-30T01:21:00.000-07:00

During one of my excursions in Suffolk, I had the fortune of visiting the quaint medieval town of Lavenham. Seeing the less-than-square architecture of the ancient beam buildings was quite a treat, and at first glance you may not guess that Lavenham was one of the wealthiest towns of its time due to a burgeoning wool trade. However, there can be no doubting the former wealth of Lavenham upon viewing its colossal parish church, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. Of all the “wool” churches, Lavenham’s is surely the most impressive. It absolutely dwarfs any other structure in the villiage. It is hard to imagine that this sleepy town could have produced a church with the highest village church tower in all of England, rising 141ft (43m) into the sky.

Another beautiful building that lies at the heart of Lavenham is the Guildhall. Touring the exhibits in the Guildhall was a great way to recapture some of the hustle and bustle of years past. As a curious note posted on a plaque at the entrance, the Warner Bros. crew had apparently just left the town after filming parts of the new Harry Potter movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The Lavenham marketplace will be transformed into Godrick’s Hollow and the Guildhall will provide the frontage for Harry’s parent’s house. Location spotters for Warner Brothers visited Lavenham in January, and must have been instantly charmed by the villiage, as was I.

Fuller's Mill

2010-04-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

While staying in Suffolk, I had the opportunity to visit some wonderful locations with Sir Kenneth, first of which was Fuller's Mill. Created over the course of 50 years by the intrepid Bernard Tickner, Fuller's Mill is a beautiful garden which used to be a site for fulling (thickening) fabric. Fulling is a process by which large mallets (driven by a water wheel) pound fabric until it becomes felted. Then the fabric is allowed to dry while being held in place by tenter hooks to prevent shrinkage.

The garden was full of interesting plant material, including many exotics from Crete. One plant bred by Bernard Tickner is the noted Euphorbia 'Charam' (Redwing), a beautiful cross betweenEuphorbia amygdaloides and Euphorbia x martinii. Also collected by Bernard is the beautifulFritillaria pyrenaica 'Bernard Tickner'. Most notably, Bernard won an RHS award with the introduction of Lunaria rediviva 'Honour Bright'.

Bernard's garden had a range of interesting specimen plants such as Cercis siliquastrum (The Judas Tree) which is said to be the tree Judas Iscariot hanged himself from after betraying Christ. Also, to my astonishment, I was shown a proud clump of Phytolacca, a merciless back in NC of which I have pulled my fair share. Other notable plants in his collection are Dracunculus, Erythrinum, Bergenia, Euphorbia myrsinites, Arum creticum, Erica arborea and Cornus controversa.

Wyken

2010-04-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

After a stormy and grueling flight across the Atlantic, I arrived by car at the fabulous Wyken Hall Estate and Vineyards in Suffolk, owned and operated by Sir Kenneth Carlisle and Lady Carla Carlisle. The Elizabethan manor house is surrounded by 1200 acres of sprawling farmland and well-manicured formal gardens. Also enjoying this quintessential country estate is wide array of animals such peacocks, guinea fowl, chickens, Shetland sheep, Red Poll cattle, and an adorable Labrador retriever named Otis Ray.

Exploring the estate grounds, I found wonderful plants such as Fritillaria meleagris (Snakes Head Fritillary), Fritillaria imperialis (Kaiser's Crown) Betula jacquemontii (with its stark white trunk), ancient oaks, drifts of daffodils, and a huge Mahonia lomariifolia. I was also lucky enough to get some fly fishing lessons from the Carlisle's son. It was a uniquely pleasant experience, and I hope to continue learning the art when I return to the States.