You need to go and visit this beautiful garden. It's called Upton Grey, and belonged to a certain Charles Holme, who had the foresight to get Gertrude Jekyll to design his garden in 1908. All these pictures were taken by me, yesterday, and they typically show all the little details that I fell in love with. For an overall view of the garden, and pictures of the borders in full bloom (oh, the HOLLYHOCKS!!!, go to the website here.
Cut to decades later and the house and garden, having changed hands many times, have gone to rack and ruin, only to be discovered, bought, and lovingly restored by the legend who is Rosamund Wallinger, and her brilliant husband John.
Box, santolina, and lawn paths for days
As soon as she realised that the foundations of a Jekyll garden lay at her feet, she set about resurrecting it with fierce, uncompromising accuracy.
Bantams, pecking about
The result is the only living example of an original Jekyll garden. Every tree, shrub, perennial and bulb is there as she stipulated on her plans.
Chives lining your walk
It is extraordinary, and needs shouting about, not only because of the Jekyll angle, but also because this is the work of one woman over three decades and as well as peonies and dry stone walls, it exudes determination, and commitment and passion.
Orchard with mown paths of love
The fact that Rosamund knew zilch about gardening when she began this whole thing did not deter her. In fact it was a blessing, as it allowed her to get fascinated, to read, to ask questions, to dive right in, and put one foot in front of the other, without being burdened by the knowledge of the monumental task ahead of her.
Dry stone wall beauty
She learned from many mistakes and has emerged with a deep, practical knowledge, not only of botanical theory, but of real, practical horticulture.
Pond glory
So when you think to yourself "I can't make a garden... I don't know anything about plants", just look at this, and know that yes, you can make a garden, or a green space, or a floriferous windowsill, or a burgeoning allotment;
Ships rope, swagged between arbour and pergola posts
...all you need is the willingness to have a go, and the ability to get excited, rather than overwhelmed by your mistakes.
Can you tell I enjoyed myself?
xx Laetitia