I have not visited this garden (Covid 19!) in Herefordshire but have read about it in several books and articles. It was the 4 acre private garden of Sir Roy Strong and his wife Julia Treveleyan, created over 40 years from a field they could no longer let out. It has now been gifted to the gardening charity Perennial and is open to visitors. Sir Roy published a book about the Laskett in 2003 in which he described his research into garden history through which he realised that " any great garden was not only an arrangement of plants and artifacts in terms of its design and composition but is also a tissue of illusions and ideas" The pictures look great, with gorgeous plants, well maintained shrubs and topiary and some variety. Its all very balanced -pairs of matching urns, columns and placed classical statuary. I want to visit but am hoping for a few more surprises. From the pictures its not too obvious where the 'autobiographical' aspect manifests, though the naming of various parts of the garden, like those of 'Little Sparta' are clearly personal. One garden I have visited several times is Arley, in Cheshire This garden also has its formal areas, such as the walled garden above, and areas of luscious colour such as the carefully planted formal borders that change through the seasons. My favourite areas however are the informal Rose Garden in June, full of foxgloves, and the Woodland Walk. Spring, with its bulbs and flowering shrubs, is the best time for the Woodland Walk but throughout the year this sculpture adds interest, lifts the spirits and and evokes memories. These wooden carved chipmunks, many times lifesize, raise a smile. As seen by the worn areas round them, they also invite investigation. The colour combinations at Arley are also inspiring: Arley is gem in Cheshire!
Strong, R. (2003) The Laskett -the story of a garden. Transworld Publishing: Bantam Press
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AuthorI am indulging my passion for ceramics by undertaking studies for an MA at UCLAN Archives
August 2021
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