Gardens to visit - Hidcote Manor - Great English Garden

Main Borders Hidcote Manor Green Fingered Blog
Hidcote is renowned as a great English garden, but provides fine examples of not only traditional cottage garden and formal styles, but also  woodland and Mediterranean gardens.

It blends a range of styles into a coherent whole and fits beautifully into its surroundings, yet occasionally transports you into another place entirely, using abundant planting and clever theming of individual enclosed garden rooms.


The various axis of pathways and lawns cross each other at various points, meaning that you regularly change direction as you walk round, and each change of direction brings a slight change in garden style. This doesn't seem too incongruous when making a right angled turn, or passing through a gap in a hedge or a gateway, and so the change in style is made to feel appropriate, without causing you to judder at too drastic a transformation between rooms. Yet the progressive effect is that you experience a wide array of gardening styles on your journey.
 

Pillar garden Hidcote manor Green Fingered Blog
The Pillar Garden at Hidcote 
It is only a subtle change from the absolute formality of the Pillar Garden with its towering, geometric yews, to the White Garden with its light hearted topiary and planting in a relaxed style within the borders but using a strictly limited colour palette. Not far away are the long double borders (top picture), with a straight and symmetrical structure but abundant, colourful, blousy planting spilling over (by just the right amount) on to the lawn and paths.  
 

White garden topiary Hidcote Manor Green Fingered Blog
The White Garden at Hidcote
At the end of the borders you head out through naturalistic yet controlled woodland planting,  to wander free through more open woodland and grass, drawn towards the boundaries of the property by the enticing glimpse through open gates of the surrounding views. Returning nearer the house there are avenues of trees and a fine vegetable garden to enjoy. There is a real sense of it being the private garden of a single individual (which it was) and the reflection of their personal passion for, and enjoyment of, their garden. Features like the boules area shaded by pleached limes, the Bathing Pool and the two gazebos, all give the impression of a garden that was lived in and used by its owner (which it was). 
 
Plant House Hidcote Manor Green Fingered Blog
The Plant House Border at Hidcote
At this time of year one of the most colourful areas was the Mediterranean sun trap of a courtyard that is known as Mrs Winthrop's Garden. This was lovely and warm for an autumn day, and smothered in bright yellow and blue flowers throughout. Also in full bloom was the bed of exotics in front of the Plant House, full of hot yellows, reds and oranges in the shape of Kniphofia, Salvia and Rudbeckia.  Both are fine examples of how to plant for late season colour.   
   

Red Borders Hidcote Manor Green Fingered Blog
Red Borders at Hidcote
There's something for everyone here, whether you prefer formal or informal, mown lawns or shady woodland, roses or alpines, open spaces or grand vistas. The evergreen structure not only provides the transition between areas, but also leaves plenty of beauty in the winter when perennials die down. There were notable colour combinations on show, in both pastels and hot colours. Whether you are looking to learn or just enjoy a day out, Hidcote is well worth a visit.
 




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12 comments:

  1. One God ilke garden made by the design in the mind of old Lawrence Johnson who had it built and helped every inch with his gardening employees of long ago. He planted hunted all over the world to fill his borders with interest. It was all for himself but in old age left it to British public. I too having a six acre plot of fields crafted out a garden that Lawrence Johnson may well have loved as I do. Hard work on my own but no expense spared on heaven on earth secret gardens well hidden from the world outside but tell you it is outside of British greed and cannot be left to the National trust as they are government owned.it will be left one long day away to the person who I will love.

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  2. Hi Kevin, thanks for visiting the Green Fingered Blog and for sharing your comments. It sounds like you have your hands full managing 6 acres by yourself! The purpose of your garden first and foremost should surely be to give you pleasure before anyone else, so I hope you are enjoying every moment.
    Paul

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  3. What a lovely garden! I would love to wander around here, comparing all the plants to see which ones grow here and which are native to your area. I notice some large succulent looking round plants in the last picture. We have a bunch of those here! I love visiting gardens, even if not in person. Thank you for sharing!

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  4. Yes Hidcote is amazing, and created by an American soldier! He was a bit of a plant hunetr so brought many plants not native to the UK back to Hidcote, but like you I'm always interested in what will grow in different places. I'm not sure which succulents you spotted. The red borders contain Cordyline in pots in the foreground, so maybe those? They are probably moved somewhere more sheltered for the winter at Hidcote. Thanks for commenting!

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  5. Thank you for this lovely post as it is highly unlikely that I will ever get to visit Hidcote Manor!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it, keep checking back or subscribe for more in the future. Unfortunately I am equally unlikely to get to visit Alfred Nicholas Gardens, which looks beautiful on your blog. Just one reason for us all to keep blogging I suppose :)

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  6. Hi paul

    Are you happy for me to Stumble this post tomorrow that you kindly linked to #MyGloriousGardens? It should bring you many more views!
    Sophie
    x

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    1. Hi Sophie - please do. I must get started on Stumble myself! Watch this space (well, watch that space actually!!!)

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  7. Hi Paul
    Thank your linking this lovely post to #MyGloriousGardens this month! I hope Stumbleupon worked for you. I stumbled 3 posts; yours being one so congratulations! Thank you for supporting my linky. #MyGloriousGardens is going to hibernate for a few months (to write school reports and sort out Nativity plays) and will be back in March when I hope to read all about your lovely garden visits once more. Sophie xx

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    1. Hi Sophie, Thanks for the Stumble, I'll keep an eye out for traffic. I Stumbled a post from the Old House too, hope you see something from that. Look forward to linking up with #MyGloriousGardens again in March. Paul

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  8. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find so many useful info here in the post, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. Best Garden Hoses in 2018

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    1. Thanks for your comment, glad you're enjoying the blog!

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