This exquisite “ESPALIER” garden is so beautiful. I enjoy it every day as I drive past. I wanted to share these images with you. The art of “espalier” is an ancient art of training wooded plants like pear and apple trees. King Louis XIV covered his garden walls at the Chateau of Versailles, and the technique spread throughout Europe and North America. The garden has a very English feeling. Enjoy.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
I have driven by HIGHGROVE in Tetbury several times, but I have never seen the gardens. I was really excited to find this article and contact phone number for a visit to Highgrove. Check it out. Anyone who joins the group, please let me know how it all went. I am very anxious to hear. I think I have several readers who are also very eager.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
The Chelsea Physic Garden is a fascinating place to visit, even if you are not an avid gardener. If you ARE an avid garden, this visit is A MUST! The garden has a long history, and the guides at the facility will tell all. Find Swan Walk on the river near the Chelsea Bridge which passes between delightful old houses and this exquisite Garden. Chelsea Physic Garden is the second oldest botanic garden in England, after that at Oxford. The physic Garden was first planted in 1673 as a nursery for trainee apothecaries, close to the warm microclimate of the river. In the middle of the garden stands a statue of Sir Hans Sloane who gave the land to the Society of Apothecaries on condition they maintained the garden and every year sent seeds or dried pants to the Royal Society. In 1732 cotton seed from the garden was sent to James Oglethorpe in Georgia who used it to establish the American cotton industry. England’s earliest ROCK GARDEN is here, made up of old building stone from the Tower of London and lava brought back from Iceland by Sir Joseph Banks. The first CEDAR TREES in England were grown in the garden, and in 1681 England’s first greenhouse and stove were built here. Another feature is a 30 ft high olive tree, the biggest olive tree in Britain. I believe Tobacco, the potato, and tomatoes have a history with this important garden. This area along the Embankment, along Swan Walk, is one of the most beautiful walks in London. Our home is in Holbein Mews, and I find myself in this beautiful area and the area around the Chelsea Hospital early each morning Wonderful. Let me share some photos, hopefully to entice you to come visit.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
The Duke and Duchess have brought new interest in Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens. For some reason, for years, visitors to the capital have not organized an afternoon in this beautiful setting. After the death of Diana Princess of Wales, Kensington Palace was downgraded; I think that was intentional and wise. Now, there is renewed interest with Princess Margaret’s apartments being refurbished for William and Catherine. I saw this article, and I thought I would publish it here. I have to admit that I have ignored the park myself, but this spring I will give it my FULL ATTENTION. Fun
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
The Queen is forever a unifying symbol around the world. Deserved
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
Look at this! Maybe one of my readers might enjoy this job.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
First the Chelsea Flower Show, then the Hampton Court Flower Show, and now the Sandringham Flower Shop! Fabulous. Note the royal residence is not open to the public during the show on 27 July.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
First comes the Chelsea Flower Show, then Hampton Court, and now the Royal Windsor Rose and Horticultural Summer Show. This wonderful series of flower shows indicates that people enjoy flowers and their gardens. What a fantastic indicator of the public’s growing interest in their gardens. Wonderful. I am in their ranks and march in their parades. Read this article. I think it will be wonderful. I have never been to the Windsor Show, so let me know what you think.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
One of our visitors and Anglophile readers sent me an email about her visit to QUEEN MARY’S ROSE GARDEN. Good stuff here!
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
I left London yesterday morning. One of our drivers and my lifetime friend Maureen Walker took me to Heathrow for my return to the States arriving Boston about 2:00 PM in the afternoon. It was a “light flight” with few people on board, so we all had plenty of seats to stretch out. When the plane took off, I surveyed the situation and moved back in the plane so I could have three seats to sleep. I went out immediately, fast asleep. I had just experienced a major marathon, sleeping or trying to sleep on my pitch in front of Westminster Abbey for the Royal Wedding. When I had had a few hours sleep, I sat up and the young fellow across the aisle from me said that I should call for my dinner. I introduced myself, and we began to chat. It seems to be a habit I have: chat to everyone I meet. His story is wonderful.
The young fellow’s name is Tom Abbott, and he is an apprentice GARDENER at Kew Gardens. We talked about all the plants, the various gardens, the bees, and about his position as an apprentice. He indicated that he was on a scholarship program at the moment to visit various gardens in the United States and was starting his visit in Portland, Oregon. What a fascinating story. Believe me, I’d love to be an apprentice gardener at Kew Gardens–in fact, I am green with envy!
This young man comes from Yorkshire, and the minute you hear him speak, you know he is not a Londoner. We talked about his grandfather’s farm in Yorkshire and how it rains in that part of England. When he finishes his apprenticeship, he will be looking for a permanent position as a trained gardener. I thought Chatsworth or Waddesdon Manor would be wonderful! He says times are “tough” at the moment, but he hopes to find a good position. I can say that during the time of our flight, I was fascinated by his tales about gardening. There is no question; he is a talented and eager young man. His girlfriend has a PhD in 18th century theater, and he says she is very clever. What a couple they must be. Nice. They have been together for 7 years, so must be a real support to each other.
If any of my readers know of possible positions, please contact Tom Abbott on email address: t.abbott@kew.org As we say in the business world: THIS FELLOW IS A SURE BET. A gardener for a lifetime! How wonderful would that be?
I am home in the States for eleven days and then Mrs. Moore and I return to England for a month after sailing on the Queen Mary2 form New York to Southampton. I will tell you all about it. It should be a lot of fun and a good rest after my “sleeping rough” in front of Westminster Abbey for the Royal Wedding. THAT WAS AN OVERWHELMINGLY FUN TIME. But I am exhausted at the moment!
Goodness, it is nice having gray hair!
Thanks.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
Spring is my favorite time of the year. The roses are all pruned, the tulips are coming up, the daffodils are almost 4 inches tall, and there is at least some sunshine each day. This past week, our Pequeno an Michael have been clearing the flowerbeds of all the winter build-up of leaves and stems, and the soil is steaming with the warm sun poking its nose through the clouds. The soil is soft and very moist; there is nothing like the smell of spring dirt which was prepared and put to bed the preceding fall. Within 3 weeks, the flowerbeds will be filled with brilliant color with tulips, hyacinths, crocus making the first “statement” of the season. It is the renaissance of the year when we all realize that we have experienced the earth’s cycle and are on to warm and sunny times when the roses, the summer annuals, and the fragrant vines glisten in their attempts to attract the honey bees. Every April, my mind returns to the gardens at Kew. Let me talk about Kew Gardens for a moment.
Kew Botanical Gardens is the largest national garden complex in the world. It has become a world attraction and research center. Kew is located in southwest London on the gentle River Thames and is easily reached by Tube from central London. Its 250 years of history are recorded in the plants which date back to the times of Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales, who started the gardens in 1761. The gardeners at Williamsburg in Virginia came to Kew in the 18th century to study plants and gardens for the beautiful Governor’s Mansion in the colonial capital. The gardens have been influencing ardent gardeners for decades. Even today, people from all over the world come to see the new varieties and planting patterns. Last year, when I arrived at the gates of Kew Garden, I had two goals for my trip. First, I wanted to see Kew Palace where King George III lived domestically with Queen Charlotte and his many children in an effort to return to nature–a great contrast to his formal court life at St. James’s Palace and Buckingham House. Kew Palace is closed during the winter because the restoration brought the house back to its 1790 status which did not offer central heating. The smallest of the royal palaces, Kew has a charm which is unexpected by those who are thinking they are coming to visit another glorious palace, fit for a king. This palace was created for a King who loved country life with flowers, trees, sheep, and the gentle River Thames. When I went into this miniature palace, I was thrilled to see its simple beauty. I understood what was meant when King George III was called FARMER GEORGE. The King was at Kew Palace on 4 July, 1776.
The second reason for my visit was to see the TULIP WALK throughout the park. The Prince of Wales has been planting tulips in the lawns at Highgrove so in the spring, before the lawns begin to grow, they become tulip walks. When the tulips have passed and the lawns begin their summer growth, the laws are mowed and the tulips are cleared off the grass. It is a magnificent sight to see. The other amazing sight are the vegetables among the flowers. We gardeners seem to think that vegetables should be in one garden behind the garage and the flowers should be where they are easily admired. Well, at Kew, that idea has been smirched. The flowerbeds are lined with beets; the broccoli and its marvelous heads are tucked into the rose gardens, and beehives are placed throughout. Numerous flower beds are lined with lavender which attract the bees and feed the honey combs for summer harvesting. Lady bugs climb on the stems of the roses, and the dragon flies pepper the most beautiful annual blooms. It is a paradise like no other planted garden. I love to go to Kew. I have my notebook with me for ideas, and each year, I try to implement some of the ideas in my own gardens.
A visit to Kew will take in the Princess of Wales’ 1761 Chambers Chinese Pagoda, Nash’s Conservatory (now a photo gallery) which was designed and built for Buckingham Palace but moved by William IV to Kew in 1836, William Chambers’s Orangerie which is now a visitor’s restaurant, the Victorian Palm House 1844, and the Water Lilly House. Plan the day; it will take all of that to see what you have planned. The meals in the Orangerie are wonderful, and if you don’t feel like walking, you can take a touring cart which will take you all throughout the gardens with a very well-informed gardener/driver. I usually start out walking, then jump on the touring cart and off again at locations I want to visit longer. If it is a wonderful “Queen’s Weather” afternoon, you will be as happy as the buzzing honey bees that grace this exquisite botanical garden.
I love the Orchid House and the Lilly Pond House. They are certainly very tropical. During the winter in London, usually gray and wet, a visit to the Palm House and the other glass houses will pick up your spirits.
Entrance charge is 12 pounds. You can contact Kew Gardens on 020.83325655 Email: info@Kew.org Entrance: 9:30 AM
If you are a gardener and love flowers and beautiful dirt, you must not miss a visit to Kew Gardens. We have several visitors to our London flats who come to London for the gardens at Kew as their main purpose. I have years and years of diary entries about the plantings at Kew, and I consider them some of my most treasured possessions. Let me post a few images of Kew. Hopefully, they will encourage you to visit, and visit again, and again.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
Hampton Court is a wonderful day visit from London. When I read that there are tours of Hampton Court and Windsor Castle in one day, I shutter. NOT POSSIBLE! The gardens at Hampton court are spectacular and deserve lingering enjoyment. Being an avid gardener, I come to Hampton Court at different seasons to see the various flowers in bloom from the tulips in the spring ane the summer plantings in July and August.
I am preparing an article about Hampton Court, but this morning I wanted to point out the amazing Hampton Court Astrological Clock on the Anne Boleyn Gate. Above this Gate Henry VIII was refurbishing apartments for his second consort Anne Boleyn when he decided that he was tired of her and sent her to the Tower. All that history is long gone, but the Gate and the Clock remains. It was ordered by Henry in 1540 and shows the time, the phases of the moon, the number of days since New Year, and tells the time of high tide at London Bridge–important in days when people traveled by boat up the Thames to Hampton Court from London.
I enjoy taking the boat from Westminster Bridge in London to Hampton Court and returning later in the day–just as Henry would have done in 1540. It is a beautiful day out-of-London, and the clock is spectacular. Read about it carefully before you go; it is in working order and must have been the “wonder” of Henry’s time.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
HEADS UP! The RHS London Plant and Design Show will take place in the RHS Horticultural Halls, Greycoat Street and Vincent Square, London SW1 15-16 February. The hours are Tuesday 15 Feb 10AM – 7PM and Wednesday 16 February 10Am – 5PM
Urban gardening for those who wish to make the most of their outside space can find what they need at the 2011 RHS Plant and Design Show. There will be two roof top gardens showing how gardeners can make the most of their valuable space.
Some of the the UK’s best nurseries will be at the show with a spectacular array of spring flowers to tempt inspired gardeners. Visitors will also be able to ask the experts and pick up tips about garden design and plants from the RHS advisory team and garden designers.
Entrance charge: 5 pounds
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
As I have mentioned in articles in this blog, I am a bee keeper. Hundreds of plants happily grow in my gardens, and I spend many wonderful hours tending my plants. Almost all my rose gardens are edged with lavender. The Prince of Wales is not the only person who talks to his plants; I talk even to my bees that thrive in my gardens; sometimes we have buzzing conversations. I have planted every flower that bees enjoy so they will be happy and will stay at home and not swarm to a neighbor’s tree who might not like the idea of their nesting there. When I go to Kew, I check out the bees and turn pages in all publications about bees in the garden. A couple of years ago, one of the gardeners gave me a bit of a tour and history of the bees in Kew. Since then, I have found out that bees are kept on the roofs of many London buildings and homes including Fortnum and Mason. When I was in London in September, I went to Fortnum and Mason to buy a small bottle of honey. It was 20 pounds! I eventually bought honey at the Queen’s Market on the Windsor Crown Estates that Prince Philip oversees. It was wonderful even if I prefer our very sweet mountain honey here in the West. I have been receiving the publications published by a north London bee keeper’s association which intrigue me. Mayor Boris Johnson has taken an earnest effort to promote bee keeping in central London. While I am wandering the streets of London, I watch for bees. And, I have to report that in all the many years I have been going to London and wandering the city streets, I have never seen a London civic bee. I suppose they are all hiding out on roof top gardens, in Hyde Park, and on Hampstead Heath! May I share a few images dealing with bee keeping in London. You might like to sponsor a hive at Kew! Even the Queen is a bee keeper in the Buckingham Palace Gardens!
There are a few bee keepers that really get excited about this hobby!
As my grandchildren say: COOL! The beehives at our guest house are thriving. Hopefully, we will have lots of “home-grown” honey for Christmas presents next year.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
ALL THIS FOR ONLY 15,000 POUNDS A YEAR
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
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