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Post by lugg on May 3, 2021 18:31:19 GMT
I did consider posting this in my Public Gardens of Herefordshire thread but decided not to as this garden is just over the border into Worcestershire. If you are hoping for flower beds full of colour and interesting plants , sorry but you will be disappointed. This garden is more parkland, an embodiment of its history, but I really fell in love with the place. Of course it helped that it was a beautifully sunny day, warm enough to take a layer off and sit on the various benches dotted around. It was my first visit although I realised I had been to the boundaries 20 years ago not realising where the path would have taken me if I had continued further. I think generally it is little known/ little visited place ; certainly it was very quiet when we visited. The owners appear to be trying to increase the number of visitors as they now have social media pages on Instagram, FB etc. however the visits still appear to be fairly small. Entrance --- For now it is a suggestion of £3.50 donation via an honesty box on the gate. Anyway this is a fairly short report, I wanted to have explored further but my knee refused to play ball. I will go back to see the rest soon. However I will end the report with a you tube video made by another visitor for completeness. Parking the car close to ancient Norman barn and dovecote it becomes apparent that there has been a settlement here for centuries. The barn now houses and café and antiques centre , both closed today. A couple of pics of the dovecote set behind a sunken rectangular lawn, which was possibly a medieval archery lawn.. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144841823_5ede3edb9a_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145723915_ac09c03ec5_b.jpgIt was not immediately clear where to go but we spotted an arrow and followed it along a tree lined path in hope. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144619591_0f27718a6f_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145398674_21f197e39c_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51144840713_1d72908522_b.jpgOne of my favourite wild flowers, cowslip, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143952057_51f601c859_b.jpgand some wild garlic, still mostly in bud, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144852138_8b33774410_b.jpgPrimroses, daisies and dandelions; so important at this time of year when pickings are scarce for insects such as bees. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145734550_4a9aec0c06_b.jpgAs we walked along we got our first glimpse of the house, which is a private home, and , although the gardens are open, the house is not. At the entry point there is a sign with a plea asking people not to walk close to the house and of course we respected that but I would have loved to have seen it closer up. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143942567_6f7689b61f_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145398404_e0c9d4c67a_b.jpgAs you will see water plays a huge part in making this garden so beautiful and this was our first glimpse of one of the many brooks and waterways. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145722785_1a898e2cbc_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51144618846_90c3659b42_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51144840223_f9d068775c_b.jpgWe wandered along the path and noticed a splashes of colour live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145397404_de08f1e92a_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51143940087_932f591007_b.jpgand then this entrance, of course we had to look closer, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145721815_5911e920f6_b.jpgMaybe a representation of the Green Man ? live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145396759_41625d0357_b.jpgOnwards into the tunnel, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145396464_e6ac6b68fd_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51144838498_4c2a091c2f_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51144616776_c586215442_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51144838378_2c333cbcba_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51144838338_e2f926bce4_b.jpgNearly out live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144616296_55951c0ded_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145395714_ca724cc5c4_b.jpgAnd what a treat on the other side. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145719905_b3c98ab440_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145415529_40ca98a36e_b.jpgI had not done any research before I went but this is what I now know. The grounds were possibly laid down originally by Capability Brown – some reports are more definite others not so. The creation of the many pools and ponds are certainly an engineering feat with water being pumped some distance to create a chain of 5 pools linked by walkways in a roughly horseshoe shape. More info .. The pleasure grounds, or The Shrubbery , comprise walks and plantings around a circuit of five pools looping west from the house. These envelop a 200m long lawn or meadow which slopes gently away from the house.
An anticlockwise circuit of The Shrubbery moves west, from the tarmac forecourt on the north side of the house, through a wrought-iron gate of the 1880s in an archway through a probably C17 brick court wall, before turning due north. Here the circuit passes down the west side of the brick court wall on a broad, straight, gravelled promenade, on the west side of which is a heather garden on the site of the Victorian parterre. Slightly further into The Shrubbery are the brick footings of an C18 bathhouse. The promenade leads downhill for c 75m, entering The Shrubbery (here planted with many ferns) above the first of the pools, the narrow Fish Pond. This is crossed by a cast-iron C18 bridge set on the foundations of an older brick and stone bridge, perhaps constructed in the later C18. Once across the bridge the path leads north for c 30m before turning south-west to a partially collapsed tunnel. Cut into the naturally occurring bands of sands and gravels, the tunnel led west for c 30m before turning sharply south, to give a view from its portal across the eastern part of the second pond, the Water Lily Pool. The path leads along the north side of this pool, which is c 120m long and with an island, passing towards its west end a series of three waterfalls or cascades which brings water into it from the next pool, Hanning's Pool, which is several metres higher. This manipulation of water from one level to another, with waterfalls, cascades, channels and footbridges all built with knobbly, rustic stonework, is one of the main linking themes of the structure of The Shrubbery. The path crosses the dam at the east end of Hanning's Pool before carrying on along its south side, past dark plantings of predominantly mature yews, through which runs a narrow artificial waterfall or cascade bringing water down some 10m from the north end of The River, the fourth and largest of the pools. The River itself is fed via a cascade of grotto-like form which carries water down from the fifth pool, the triangular Top Pool.
Of course you have already seen that the tunnel is now repaired. This was all down to the previous owners dedication to restoring what was a pretty derelict garden. Jon Sellers and Martin Rickard bought the house and grounds in the 1990s, cleared the undergrowth , revitalised the choked lakes and repaired the tunnel and various other buildings. They have since moved on but the house and gardens remain in private ownership. ( Not always so – like many other houses of this type it was commandeered as a convalescent home for soldiers following WW1 and then later became a children’s home until the early 60s. ) Anyway if only I had known about the connection between the gardens and Martin Rickard I would have paid much more attention to any ferns. Although I guess many may only have been just emerging. Next time… More photos of the pools/ ponds/waterways etc .. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144837528_c280a4edb6_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145395074_d000cf31b0_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145391989_9dbf4cc9f5_b.jpgThe tadpoles have hatched, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145394544_e48080acb4_b.jpgand the mayflowers are doing their thing, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144614911_e1ecd9f5c0_b.jpgThe moorhen was returning to his/ her chicks, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144834003_cc7c27338e_b.jpgThe trees at the edges of the pools were ancient, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143938622_39a61922d0_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51144615181_48d820f151_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51144856868_94d9ed357c_b.jpgSplashes of colour, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143936482_6fc60ab0f9_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51144612801_a2996cb1aa_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145738000_7dbb8d4fa6_b.jpg…and a fitting resting place for a dog that appears to have been challenging, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145392344_ba63e486bd_b.jpgSo .. the exit of the tunnel – was it just an ordinary or something more spectacular ? Here it is in all its glory, Not so obviously glorious here, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144615986_f70d93c1f0_b.jpgBut viewed from a distance, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145717855_5f4e65364d_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145390944_6dba1ac5e3_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51144611036_19e0c285aa_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145734885_e86a1c072d_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145410564_eac0852dac_b.jpgImagine sitting here in the belvedere in your crinolines or the male equivalent, ( I should know but have forgotten!) live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144611711_e27cbffbb1_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145391389_941613e5fb_b.jpgand looking out at these views live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143934377_735abcefcc_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145737130_6334b4dd36_b.jpg( damn that tractor!) live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144612071_aa225ecc44_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145391569_7968cc7114_b.jpgWish I could have got closer to examine this colourful conifer – ( next time) live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144855653_a0d12e4a44_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145414269_08f70f4467_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145718080_ba883b61b3_b.jpgSo that’s all for now – just a couple of final photos as we turned around and walked back to the car. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143955192_67ce913f8e_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51145734170_4d17723487_b.jpgAnyway going back to the beginning here is the you tube report I promised which gives more info and does the place proud I think.
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Post by kerouac2 on May 3, 2021 18:44:54 GMT
One thing that really pleases me about all of these "public gardens" threads is not just that they are public but they are also protected. When you think of all of the other places in the world that have lovely areas but which are not protected and which disappear, we can only count our blessings.
In any case, your photos are delightul.
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Post by bjd on May 3, 2021 19:35:33 GMT
Definitely a nice place to go for a walk. I'm surprised the rhododendrons are already blooming although they don't look very healthy.
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Post by bixaorellana on May 3, 2021 19:45:51 GMT
This is a huge treat, Lugg, and I can totally see how you fell in love with the place. It is wonderful to see this kind of property so sensitively restored. Of course my eyes widened when I read Martin Rickard's name, & then you quickly corroborated that yes, that Martin Rickard. I think one of the things that impresses me most is the restraint used in the renovation. Much as I adore things like mixed borders, Kyre Park is a triumph of that Capability Brown sensibility (whether or not he was the actual landscape architect). It's the genius of presenting what seems to be pure nature in a way that keeps us unaware of the human intervention involved. This place does that perfectly, pleasingly, and so satisfyingly.
I can't believe you just popped yourself right into that tunnel ~ bold! I wonder who those alas, poor Yoricks are.
Also, I can't say enough about your glorious pictures. Sorry to be trite, but it really is like being there. Your long views are perfect, as are all the closeups and the things which deserved to be celebrated, such as the line of trees along that path. And your last photo is winner takes all!
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Post by fumobici on May 3, 2021 20:49:55 GMT
What an explosion of spring this is! Just lovely except for the creepy tunnel, which just makes the loveliness all the more lovely.
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Post by htmb on May 4, 2021 0:00:52 GMT
Looks like a beautiful place for a walk on a fine spring day!
(So sorry your knee is being uncooperative, Lugg)
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Post by tod2 on May 4, 2021 8:10:07 GMT
What a wonderous garden! It lends itself to being visited over and over in the different seasons. Your photos are wonderful.
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Post by lugg on May 4, 2021 18:06:28 GMT
Thank you all - glad you enjoyed Kyre park. I will go back and add to this as there is so much more I want to see, not least the church. One thing that really pleases me about all of these "public gardens" threads is not just that they are public but they are also protected. When you think of all of the other places in the world that have lovely areas but which are not protected and which disappear, we can only count our blessings. So true. Of course my eyes widened when I read Martin Rickard's name, & then you quickly corroborated that yes, that Martin Rickard. Yes he is such an expert on all things fern, in the past there was a fern nursery at Kyre managed and owned by him, sadly it is no longer there but it still exists after having been sold on and is now sited in North Wales. |
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Post by bixaorellana on May 17, 2021 21:07:05 GMT
I will go back and add to this as there is so much more I want to see, not least the church. Very much looking forward to your showing us a second visit! Those who visit gardens and report on them are a force for good in introducing people who think they're not plant-minded to the subtle joys & well-being that gardens and good landscaping impart. |
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Post by lugg on May 18, 2021 19:17:01 GMT
Very much looking forward to your showing us a second visit! Those who visit gardens and report on them are a force for good in introducing people who think they're not plant-minded to the subtle joys & well-being that gardens and good landscaping impart. Look out ..plan a return visit first week of June !  |
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Post by lugg on Jan 26, 2022 17:18:17 GMT
Well I finally made a return visit to Kyre this week, on a beautiful Winter’s day. It was very cold and frosty , despite the sunshine, and the garden was pretty much asleep. This time I walked in an anti-clockwise route in comparison to my last visit and started out with a visit to the church. I will try to show mostly new things but of course invariably I will re-visit others. It does take it beyond the “public garden“ remit, but I hope you will enjoy the additions I will start with a photo of the house and the church which I hope shows how close they are in terms of geography and then move onto the lovely church which also reveals some of the history of previous owners of Kyre Park. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51818906398_44cbcf7b66_c.jpgThe church of St Mary’s dates from about Norman times but as usual with churches of this age there is evidence of an earlier building . Altered and extended in the 1300s and in the 17th century when the bell tower was added, around 1700. Further restorations took place during the 1800s. There are 3 quite distinctive parts to the building … live.staticflickr.com/65535/51820443936_8d879ae7e4_w.jpgAnyway from the outside first .. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819509100_6d2c1fde31_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818910063_61c64cd913_c.jpgThe entrance to the church is on the opposite side and from here we found that a covered passage way connected the house and church. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51817845517_9eed0646a3_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818909763_dae5c4fd33_c.jpgTo our surprise the church was open … entry is first from the chapel and then into the nave and chancel which appear as one room initially. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819137134_35bb9071bc_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51817843287_9c00b5b763_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819135699_657f3ba00e_c.jpgHere you can see the divide between the chancel and nave live.staticflickr.com/65535/51818908443_952137be85_c.jpgThe utilitarian pews in the nave have some painstaking made kneeling cushions placed on them live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819508045_c587aa8fbb_c.jpgIt might be in Worcestershire but this shows someone’s links with Herefordshire I guess, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819506575_0a7256abff_c.jpgThe organ is not very grand at all, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51817843432_c85d0faeae_c.jpgSome of the tombstones of previous owners of Kyre live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819507795_a1b8e9b127_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819136429_65d6a6c3db_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818908248_8484c5aa27_c.jpgA few more images live.staticflickr.com/65535/51817844162_f8ede22f94_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819507065_941c1e915a_c.jpgExtra care when ascending to the bell tower is required , otherwise it might be a rather unpleasant experience live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819506405_dea819ba10_c.jpgThe church houses the Geneva (‘breeches’) bible, printed in 1578. This was one of the most historically significant translations of the Bible into English, preceding the King James Version by 51 years. If it was there we missed it , maybe put away for safe-keeping. Onwards passed the house, to explore the gardens . I found this map of the inside – the house itself is not open to visitors but you can stay in an apartment on the top floor for quite a reasonable price, www.kyrepark.com/where-to-stayI may have posted a link to the house earlier if so here it is again , www.kyrepark.com/gardensAnd for anyone who is interested in its history, historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1000889?section=official-listingSouth side live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819506290_a0ebbd0021_c.jpgNorth side live.staticflickr.com/65535/51817842897_795936e293_c.jpgand West side live.staticflickr.com/65535/51818793076_d3d51fffe2_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51817842667_65b1253c82_c.jpgAnyway back to the gardens. This lake, which was covered in parts with thin ice, lies on the south side of the house live.staticflickr.com/65535/51818792986_2dde857a52_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818796436_ca67fc69eb_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819134534_603407604c_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819134439_e6908f92a1_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819134279_6f6fbc4b97_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819154104_cff0732df0_c.jpgThe theme / challenge from my photography group was reflections that week, several opportunities presented themselves, moving away from the house and looking back … live.staticflickr.com/65535/51817860227_6aac2d19b8_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818791656_43e91abf69_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51817840267_fb76fe7558_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819522890_1bb4ebecfd_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819152414_867c94ca89_c.jpgIn other places the lakes were dark and misty , with an occasional sunbeam penetrating the gloom, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819502585_6a8b468838_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819151359_a9f3835753_c.jpgWe had not seen this bridge and shelter on our last visit, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51818810496_76b323ab8e_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818810636_0eabff0deb_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818924543_86f175c9a0_c.jpgThe ground was frosty, with little signs of life, sweet chestnut cases empty but some little fungi were thriving in places live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819131494_f5c5d8c4ef_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819131359_250dbd3042_c.jpg live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819150189_c171c1be2a_c.jpgI am not sure if this tree will ever spring back to life, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51818809431_6078eec4df_c.jpgUp close we could see that the “Rainbow tree” is thriving ( Bixa helped me to possibly id it as a Japanese Plume Cedar but I am still not absolutely certain that is what it is) It has a lovely smell. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819502260_ba43002175_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818789476_e515c105f0_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818808676_ae64648cde_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818922348_5ca4526efd_c.jpgI have previously shown you the lakes and follies from the Belvedere onwards so here are just a few pics has we headed back towards the house.. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819520325_8ded58afc7_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819148854_2849a42283_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51817856227_e8811b346a_c.jpgA little winter colour live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819148024_e9e086e5db_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818927578_2e9da110a0_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818919083_05a402c0c6_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819147574_08e5c6e676_c.jpgThe bulrushes have a winter coat live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819134374_770064a916_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819526715_d1a1915441_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818786541_a98fcc1c39_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818813451_3a67bce908_c.jpgTime for a closer look at the Dovecote and barn. The dovecote was constructed about 1600 and was moved to its present location in 1756 for Sir Edmund Pytts when he created the formal gardens. The barn was built about 1618 by William Harrison for Edmund Pytts and is now an antiques centre with a café. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819497115_6b1845b17a_c.jpg live.staticflickr.com/65535/51817853167_d79b1cd699_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818803506_b5f2da6685_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818917183_5776772431_c.jpgSome birds are still living here, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819145084_20eece4b78_c.jpgSix hundred nesting boxes are located within the dovecote in twenty tiers each with a stone landing perch. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819515880_00b96dd2ef_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819515920_2b7ec32366_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818916703_3653f2fd1b_c.jpgI guess this lane behind the dovecote was once the main entrance to the house ? The grounds here are open farmed fields. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819516790_42e669b86e_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819126199_e5d4020f08_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819497840_8811707f5d_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819145884_63abb987ff_c.jpgDistant views of the Clee Hill in Shropshire, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819516410_54cf403482_c.jpgWe spotted some snowdrops as we headed passed the barn to get to the other side for a cup of tea, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819515400_8df307e341_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818916058_9e34101d9f_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819514840_e55db81f15_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818898758_107db75167_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818801596_d045cf433a_c.jpgAlthough this thread is drifting away from its garden theme again I will show you a little of the inside of the barn. The barn is quite a fitting place for an antiques centre and is full of the kind of odd things that I expect antiques centres to have ; some fairly modern and some much more of an age, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819143164_48774805ce_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819143004_060f4c3d85_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818800906_2ac742b4bb_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51818800751_ccb804414f_z.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819142544_2ebb6eea9e_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819142464_bd45780992_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51819513350_7b33661744_c.jpgThat’s it guys – will leave you with a pic of my gigantic sausage roll a good part of which I took home in a doggy bag !! live.staticflickr.com/65535/51817849902_ee56c5c472_c.jpgApart from one final image of the house gardens .. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51819522890_1bb4ebecfd_c.jpgI do plan to go back in the Summer this year. |
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Post by fumobici on Jan 27, 2022 16:16:53 GMT
Beautiful update! Almost makes winter seem palatable.
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Post by htmb on Jan 27, 2022 18:00:05 GMT
Looks lovely, even on a cold, winter day. I enjoyed the new photos very much!
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Post by mich64 on Jan 27, 2022 18:27:34 GMT
Beautiful additions Lugg. Not the winter day I am used to. I like yours much better!
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Post by tod2 on Jan 28, 2022 11:01:15 GMT
So nice to see your latest additions to this thread. You made me hungry!
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Post by lugg on Jan 29, 2022 16:25:30 GMT
Thanks guys - sorry Tod !! |
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Post by bixaorellana on Jan 29, 2022 17:02:18 GMT
Every time I sat down to go through these wonderful new additions, something would call me away from the computer. At least that meant I got to see some of the pictures multiple times!
Lugg, I am awed by how beautifully you caught that rich, subtle winter light over and over again in these pictures -- just gorgeous! And you have fully shown how a great landscape remains interesting and elegant in the cold season, without rampant growth and lots of flowers to distract.
All the architectural details plus the historical & commercial attractions also make it obvious why you'd want to return to this lovely park in different seasons.
Thank you so much for this beautiful and enjoyable re-visit.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jan 30, 2022 4:20:46 GMT
What a magnificent winter's day, and your photos are as spectacular as ever.
If I ever see anybody wearing one of those hats, I'll know where it came from.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jan 31, 2022 3:35:58 GMT
I commented above on this lovely addition (at #16), but have been mulling yet again about the rainbow tree. I've looked & looked, but find nothing definitive. Different varieties of Cryptomeria japonica will change color in autumn or winter, but also some variegated forms have appeared in cultivation. (exhausting source) C. japonica 'Elegans", which is what I think the rainbow tree is, has quite a few different forms. My theory at the moment is that the tree in Kyre Park is one of those novelty multi-grafted trees. It's not impossible! |
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Post by lugg on Feb 1, 2022 19:36:39 GMT
Thanks K2 and Bixa Different varieties of Cryptomeria japonica will change color in autumn or winter, but also some variegated forms have appeared in cultivation. (exhausting source) C. japonica 'Elegans", which is what I think the rainbow tree is, has quite a few different forms. My theory at the moment is that the tree in Kyre Park is one of those novelty multi-grafted trees. It's not impossible! Wow - thanks Bixa ...That is very promising - I need to spend some time going through the pages but I can see by google search that there is a reference in it somewhere re Kyre / Mrs Childe , japonica elegans and grafting so that is really promising. It is only as I write that I realised I had missed an opportunity to chat with one of the groundsmen/ gardeners when I was there..... next time ... |
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 4, 2022 1:17:40 GMT
My pleasure, Lugg! I find those google books hard to manage, so am quite impressed that you're willing to dig into it. Yes, frustrating that you didn't get to talk to one of the gardeners, but from your lovely coverage of Kyre Park, I can well imagine that there will be a next time.  |
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Post by lugg on Feb 12, 2022 18:33:37 GMT
My pleasure, Lugg! I find those google books hard to manage, so am quite impressed that you're willing to dig into it. So I did but to my disappointment the reference was not to the rainbow tree but to the magnificent Yew |
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