Tag Archives: kew

East comes West

Dr Johnson wrote in 1738 : “There are few nations in the world more talked of, or less known than the Chinese.”  He was reflecting on the latest book about China to be published, one which Patrick Conner in Oriental Architecture in the … Continue reading

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Looking East …

What’s the best known – and certainly most instantly recognizable – garden building in Britain? I ought to think of something clever to say at this point, or perhaps provide a list to choose from but I suspect that for … Continue reading

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Dahlias

My garden boasts a Vulgar Border…not full of plants that swear  but of brightly coloured one – clashing pinks, oranges, purples and yellow which almost make your eyes water. And chief amongst them are dahlias. Dozens and dozens of them. … Continue reading

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George Glenny- perhaps the most cantankerous Victorian gardener imaginable

If you were asked to name a great Victorian garden writer I bet John Claudius Loudon, William Robinson, or Shirley Hibberd would spring  to mind immediately- but what about George Glenny? He was as prolific as the rest of them, started … Continue reading

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Joseph, Victoria and the amazing leaf

Picture the scene. A small group of well dressed people stand around a room with a large pond in the middle watching a serious looking man and a  9 yr old girl. Everyone watches in silence as he lifts her … Continue reading

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