Topiary in the Potager at Helmingham Hall

It’s been a while since I’ve shared some topiary, so when I stumbled across these photos from our visit to Helmingham Hall back in 2017, I couldn’t wait to share them. I think my favourite is the sombrero, mainly because, why wouldn’t you love a topiary mexican hat? The Japanese anemones dancing against the brick wall help too.

SOMBRERO?

SOMBRERO?

And I suspect you’re already realising this isn’t just any topiary. With Helmingham in the background, with its chimneys-to-die-for, I present a snowman. Surrounded by acorns. Just imagine the work keeping this garden tidy and in shape.

A SNOWMAN, WITH ACORNS ON THE RIGHT

A SNOWMAN, WITH ACORNS ON THE RIGHT

The topiary is part of the Potager, which is always an area of a garden I’ll head to and one which MOH struggles to get me out of. I think here he was just resigned to his fate. I mean, a walled potager and topiary, he stood no chance!

A SNAIL?

A SNAIL?

A FROG, OR A PRINCE?

A FROG, OR A PRINCE?

The frog, or is it a prince above, is why there was some hesitation about claiming the sombrero as my favourite. There’s so much work in all of these, and for them to be instantly recognisable as the shapes they were intended, is a real skill. The frog, as you can see is starting to grow, and with so many sculptures in the garden, I’m sure whoever manages these must walk around the garden with their topiary tools in their pockets, at the very least.

Which is your favourite?

Sigh, at Mottisfont

Today’s Flowers on Friday is a single photo post, and one from back in 2017. It was taken at NT Mottisfont, which is an absolute delight of a place.

If truth be known I was at a bit of a loss for what to share today. I found myself browsing through old photos and stumbled across photos from our trip here, which was a stop off on our way back from a week in Swanage. At the time we weren’t sure about making the trip, but once we had we wondered why we’d not been before. Finding those photos again, I’m thinking we should go back, but I’m not quite sure when.

At mottisfont.jpg

This is a slightly unusual Flowers on Friday post, as I’m not sure what the plant is. And of course there’s a window. But there’s a timeless ease to the photo which just shouts calm, if anything can shout calm. So yes, sigh, one day we’ll be back to see more of Mottisfont I’m sure.

Enjoy your sunset

* This item was gifted.
When I brought this gerbera home at the end of February, I didn’t have high hopes for it or my green fingered skills if I’m honest. The blurb promised me that it would be in flower by the time of Gardeners’ World Live, which takes place in mid-June. And I was, as it turned out, unnecessarily skeptical.

IN FEBRUARY

IN FEBRUARY

The new variety is called “Sweet Sunset” and it’s planned to be introduced at Gardeners World Live in June on the spectacular pyramid display. I’m not planning to go to this show this year - we went last year for the first time, and it was great, but I figured that I have plenty of content to share here already, and as the show is straight on the back of our holiday, I could use the leave more efficiently this year.

the sweet sunset gerbera in flower

I’ll be sorry to have missed this plant there though, as despite my misgivings it’s a bright and cheery plant. And I am rather partial to orange it seems, this year even more than before it’s creeping more into my wardrobe.

I’m supposed to have repotted it, but given my general lack of gardening enthusiasm in the early part of this year, that hasn’t happened yet, but even so it’s flowering. And I quite like the clash with the red background of plates on the dresser in the photo above.

IN JUNE

IN JUNE

It’s since moved from there though, and found a new home on our drinks trolley as you’ll have seen earlier this week. And while we’ve been away I’ve needed to find it yet another home, as leaving it to try and survive in the conservatory without help, wasn’t going to be my best plan.

* Although this item was gifted during my visit to the Garden Press Event in February, I was under no obligation to share it here on my blog.