May 2009 UK Garden Photos - The Red Cottage

Click 2-3 times to enlarge detail. Enjoy!!

     This is Red Cottage where our family friends the Murdochs live. The records show it was built in 1430, but evidence from other buildings in the area indicate it might have been built in 1490. The inside of this house is amazing. The house has giant old beams, including one that was recycled from a ship and is curved. The upstairs has really high ceilings and 4 1/2 and 5 foot high doorways - Yes, I clunk my head at least once a visit. This is a picture of the back of the cottage from the back of the garden.

It was a beautiful day. Some nice pictures of Mom enjoying a sit in the garden. The trellis behind her was built by Jim and is normally covered with climbing roses. There was a blackspot invasion last year and Patsy chopped most of them down to start over again this year. Apparently the soil is not very deep before it turns into chalk.

Pat and Jim planted and trained this hedge. It is the entrance to the side garden from the garage area. I believe it is cypress.




When you walk through the hedge arbor and look to the left, you see this lovely little geometric garden. The whole space is about 20-25 square feet - this is really do-able.

After you pass through the hedge, if you look to the right, you see the vegetable garden. From where I was standing photographing the veg garden, if you look straight ahead, you see the black side door of Red Cottage. This is the most commonly used entrance. It is a fabulous hinged half door. Really cool.




One of the many hard scaping details that I appreciated, these steps are broad and rounded so you can access 3 elevated areas, the geo garden, path to the garage, and upper patio. The pea gravel "spew" does not seem to be any kind of problem.

Another concept that I love in gardens is different elevations. I think it defines the space on a whole other level (no pun intended). In my gardening soul, I feel that using elevations, colors, smells, and other "not just wall" methods of defining a garden are what gives the space a subtlety that can move the experience for the observer from nice - to an utterly glorious one that excites their imagination and one that they will always remember. The view of the lower patio from the upper patio. This area has much larger pavers, but using the same shape as the upper patio pavers, but without the pea gravel, it carries the theme. If you blow up the detail, you can see a little brick outbuilding just past the table. This is one of two garden sheds on the property. Just in front of the shed, there are stairs leading to the back lawn that was in picture one.


An urn of all succulents. I enjoyed this departure from the usual spike in the center, plants dripping down the side planting that you would expect in this kind of container. I loved the unexpected creativity of it.







These are pictures of my cousin Kirsty's garden. She lives in Riverhead, which is near Sevenoaks in Kent. I planted up her pots for her in preparation of the party. Going to the garden center for plants was an amazing experience. First, there was so much less variety to choose from than what we are used to. From a climate zone perspective, I would guess that they would be a zone 6. Second, the garden center also had an organic farmstand, bakery, butcher and fresh fish market. It was lovely.

In the center picture, you can see a blooming bush next to the urns. This is actually a clematis grown as a shrub. Amazing.

While working in Kirsty's garden, I had another unique experience...Snails. Many sizes, including giant, and many colors and shell designs. I was enamored. They were everywhere. Then, I stepped on one and my love affair was over. Fickle me!

Overall, I had a lovely, relaxing time. It was wonderful to not have to have one eye on the clock at all times. My stated goal for the trip was to not make a single decision or take any responsibility for anything - except what kind of lovely English county cheese I was going to eat. Mission accomplished!

In a way, because this trip was kind of a last minute opportunity, it was better. I didn't have time to plan, (or fret). All I took was one of the kid's backpacks, filled mostly with gifts and my passport. I felt like my 22 year old self traveling the world again. (Kind of an interesting flash back.)

Kirsty's party was great. I got to visit with my favorite cousins and friends that I only get to see every few years. It was really nice. I am still thanking all the family and friends who helped make my garden vision quest trip possible. Thank you!

Karen