JANUARY
Out & About
Phoebe Jayes recommends some of the UK’s loveliest Edwardian gardens and rounds up outdoor jobs to do in winter – as well as the latest news
Winter jobs ● Take hardwood
cuttings from shrubs like cornus, buddleja and honeysuckle. ● Keep harvesting
winter crops such as leeks and parsnips. ● Ensure greenhouse
heaters are functioning properly. Equally, if it’s a warm day, ventilate the space to reduce humidity and disease. ● Leave out fat balls for
birds and put a tennis ball in the bird bath or fountain to stop the water freezing.
Edwardian ELEGANCE
● Move vulnerable
The first decade of the 20th century is remembered as a golden age of long summers and garden parties, and this selection recreates that feel
container plants to a sheltered spot to protect against frost. ● Remove old leaves
Hidcote Manor
Iford Manor
Hestercombe
The garden rooms at Hidcote (above) in the Cotswolds were created by Lawrence Johnston to display his extensive plant collection, assembled from countries all over the world. Tel: +44 (0)1386 438333; nationaltrust.org.uk
These Grade I-listed gardens in Wiltshire (below) were created by Edwardian designer Harold Peto. Today, a new generation of owners has expanded the garden while preserving its heritage. Tel: +44 (0)1225 863146; ifordmanor.co.uk
Spanning three centuries of garden design, Hestercombe in Somerset features the Georgian Landscape Garden, the Victorian Shrubbery and the Edwardian Formal Gardens designed by Edward Lutyens. Tel: +44 (0)1823 413923; hestercombe.com
Folly Farm Dan Pearson has restored and extended the gardens at Folly Farm in Berkshire, which were originally designed by Edward Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. Features include rooms edged with tall yew hedges, the Sunken Pool Garden, the Flower Parterre and the Dutch Canal Garden. ngs.org.uk 10 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JANUARY 2022
Rodmarton Manor Ernest Barnsley’s layout survives in this Cotswold garden, where year-round interest comes from varied planting and topiary, plus a terrace, walled garden and herbaceous borders. Tel: +44 (0)1285 841442; rodmarton-manor.co.uk
from hellebores and winter brassicas. ● Order crowns of
rhubarb to plant in spring. Get forcers ready so you can force established rhubarb clumps in the new year for an early crop.
