England is a Garden

"Our England is a garden 
that is full of stately views, 
of borders, beds and shrubberies,
and lawns and avenues ....."

               - rudyard kipling



This morning's gray sky gave way to a brilliant blue as the day progressed. It's the way of Autumn days, and while October usually signals the end of gardening here in the Midwest, not so in England.



I recently returned home from a tour of September gardens in the UK, newly filled with ideas, inspiration. I spent the next few days shopping for plants and filling pots and troughs with pansies, kale  and mums. I did a good deal of the usual cutting back and cleaning up, but I'm not done yet, and it feels really good.

From the formal gardens in London, here a special garden at Kensington Palace to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Princess Diana . . . . 

. . . .to the deep green country gardens of Dorset, punctuated by surprise pops of color and rustic arbors . . . .

 . . . and how about a flock of fancy chickens, settled into their chinoisserie abode, complete with blue and white china accompaniments.

 Water and the reflection it offers is an essential element,

  . . .and can we talk about stone, everywhere and in every form, a favorite accent in every garden are these vintage staddle stones.

 Archways, doorways, gates, leading you from room to garden room, framing the enticing views and offering an invitation as you enter another experience.

Dahlias were the stars of the late summer borders, rising tall and regal above everything else

 Structures, "follies", dovecotes, sheds and huts, magical little buildings around every corner

 Textures, the velvet moss, the lacy leaves and the crisp conifers, greens of every hue softening the edges of giant pieces of stone.

Vistas, living green sculpture as far as the eye can see, 

 Above it all the drama of the most amazing skies

Thatched roofs atop century old cottages in the Cotswolds,  yes they really do still exist and people live in them, people who serve you tea and scones and cakes! 

I have gained a new outlook, and Im eager to consider this season of the year with new eyes. Ill make a list for next year of more late-season plants to try, and for now I will continue to embrace every day with a newness that will not end according to a page on the callender.