Classical Gardening

They say every mans home is a castle,so I wander if every small garden is like a poor mans country estate.I wander how much has passed down from grand estates to make its way into council estates and medium sized houses.My nod to the past includes the small Buxus balls (still growing so I can trim them when they are bigger.Its cheaper to buy small then grow plants along),the small pond,and the classical sculpted women.She is so white and stands looking shyly down.I was looking yesterday at statues to join her along the concrete path.I did not buy yet but she needs company,preferably as tall as her and cast in white.

This Black Parrot Tulip has finally bloomed.Its sumptuous dark petals are entirely frilled like an Elizabethan ruff collar.The inside part of the stigma and stamen looks like a Tulip.The outside is beautifully exotic.These never flowered last year as I planted them late.I will definitely buy more of these and plant them grouped together,maybe with contrasting white Tulips.

By the gate the Queen of the Night Tulips are starting to bloom.The fiery Tulips underneath have begun to fall apart.These are classically lovely tulips with the original form.They need replacing every few years as they seem to rot in my Yorkshire soil.

The Red Rhododendron is opening its first Flower buds.The petals look blood red and contrast really well to the smooth green leaves.The pink Rhodie is also opening its flower buds slowly.I think May to June is when they will flower.The one at the front of the house is still slumbering.

It is two weeks now until the RHS Chelsea flower show.I got an email about the William Whyte designed Apco garden inspired by the historical Italian gardens and the water table at Villa Lanti.It has stone work,Topiary Trees and running water feature cascading down.I like the seating under the shade of the Acer Grisium Tree.The planting should be with shades of cream and orange,and has Foxgloves.I cannot wait to see how this one turns out.
   There has always been a cross over between Italian and British Gardens.Our Nobles and Wealthy Land owners used to go to Italy for a Grand Tour to take in the history,architecture,art,food,wine,and gardens as a way of cultivating their minds.They brought back some of what they saw and I guess this a modern look back at that.

This photo shows Monets garden at Giverny in France.The head gardener is James Priest from Lancashire.He has so far overseen planting of masses of spring bulbs including masses of Tulips and Foxtail Lily's on the more neglected western side of the garden.He has also advocated planting Biennials before Xmas so they will flower this year.
  He will be at the RHS Chelsea flower show as a guest of the National Association Of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) where the displays will be inspired by Monets  Japanese bridge and Water Lily Pond.
  Im looking forward to Chelsea already.