This is a very late comment to this video, but I’d like to share this. This archetypal English country garden is my favorite, but all gardens have real magic in them. In the worst times of my life, retreating to a garden has restored me, or at least helped see me through. A walk, a long sit, but best of all the puttering about with plants and having your hands in the earth is better for the weary soul than anything else. Suffering a great loss is eased by spring and the miracle of nature’s renewal. Working to plant for the next year’s blossom restores faith that life will go on. The scent of lavender or lilacs recall a loved one long gone, and now suddenly here, a brief, tender visit. This may not be why we all begin gardening, but I think it has much to do with why we become gardeners.
What a lovely comment and so true. You can get completely lost in what you’re doing while gardening and then sit back with a cup of tea and admire all your hard work. Lovely ❣️
I have to say that my outside garden is less satisfying to tend than my inside garden meaning my children. That is THEE MOST SATISFYING garden I tend. Watching them as 🌱 young seedlings sprouting into toddler hood tending to their beds making sure their foundation was full of nutrients for good growth. Then onto adolescence caring for their roots and plucking out the weeds as they mature into adulthood. Now backing away to enjoy the sun and rain and letting them "make their own food" but I still water from time to time when they need a pick me up. 😊
Having discovered your videos recently, I find them an absolute joy, particularly this one. They are so well made, and devoid of presenters' cliches. I don't know how you manage it every week! Thank you very much.
🌻 great Video, as always! Thanx for all the work each week, Alexandra. I am sure a Video is not done in 30 min. You are giving all of us , no matter where we are in the world, so many wonderful things to think about for our Time in the garden. 👍🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻 you are not a 5 Star gardener, you get 10 sunflowers from me, for all the work to make the world better , by getting folks to do more gardening each day. take care till next week. 🌻
When u are looking at revamping your garden so hit the tube and realise Ur style is in fact no what you expected. I thought I was cottage but I have discovered I am 100 a lover of e. Country. Defining my style should help me get my garden back on track. Thanks so much
It's because I lived in England for a while as a child and then when home in Canada we had next-door neighbours with a British background--and they created glorious gardens. That's why I'm a cottage style gardener today.
Thank you for putting together all of these unique interviews! You are sharing access to people and ideas that I (and probably others) would otherwise not get to hear. The video footage of the beautiful gardens makers it even more special!
Great, great video! I love how much information you convey in such a short period of time. Every minute counts and I appreciate it. Your content combined with the interviews are very compelling. I'm not sure what kind of garden I have, but I believe I have some of the elements of an English garden in my little quarter-acre plot. ;-). Thanks.
Wonderful tips in this video! I especially enjoyed the sage advice of the head gardener from West Dean Garden. I never thought about the garden in this particular way...of “everyone talking at the same time”. I tend to want lots of flowers in the borders of many varieties, but I think this way of thinking is poignant, and I need to curb my desire to have an explosive experience and settle on full but calming borders. Excellent! Thank you so much, Alexandra, for bringing this information to us! I hope you are enjoying the weekend! 💚🌿🌳🌺
Thank you, Alexandra! Finding you is like getting the “golden ticket” to visit English gardens! I am in Indiana, the Midwest of the US. I am putting in a large garden this summer that is inspired by the English country gardens of England. Where would I be without your videos?!
On a weekend when torrential showers have chased me indoors, I really enjoyed these expert perspectives and advice. Trying to translate the English cottage and country garden styles into a tropical context is quite challenging but I am learning so much from your videos. Thanks as always and wishing you well, Alexandra!
I understand your comment!! Im in israel so working with a different climate, growing conditions as well as native plants! However i find some of the concepts and the amazing creativity inspiring and encourGing. Sometimes my question is not answered directly but a clue is given that i realize leads me to what im looking for! Much live and gardening joy to you!
I really love your videos. It's wonderful to have a resource for gardens of this size. UA-cam videos so often focus on much smaller, urban back gardens, or trendy, entertainment-centric styles that don't appeal to me. Five years ago we bought a house with a 1 acre back garden with an unobstructed view of the neighboring valley farms and distant hills. It's mostly still an expanse of lawn and has enormous maples dotted over it. I'm the only one in my family who gardens but I've managed to install a small, "formal-ish" rose & lavender garden, a large all-white garden with a rose arch, and a productive kitchen garden with greenhouse. What I have longed for is a more experienced gardening mentor. Thank you for providing this inspiring content.
Many thanks for this video. Being in the Blue Mountains in Australia and coming into the coldest part of our winter it is particularly helpful to see videos now that are not specifically "summer" related.
Thank you. At least we have just passed the summer soltice, which means you are now going into summer and we are heading back to winter again, though slowly (I hope).
Wonderful video! These gardens are what I dream of from Phoenix, AZ and what I’m in the process of creating in front of my home. Thanks for the inspiration!
I have been watching your videos for the past 6 months or so and I’m all caught up so I look forward to your new videos with such gusto ! I’m such a keen gardener now; the rewards are ongoing and I’m always learning. Due to current c19 I’ve been furloughed for the past month and have absolutely rejoiced in the time I’ve had in the garden. It’s so rewarding and there is always something to do... Roses are my absolute passion and my mother and I have found a fabulous seller “cottage memories” The roses we have ordered have arrived in mint condition and are much cheaper than regular garden centres. They have also been exceptionally helpful in advising which roses are most appropriate for our needs. I love roses to cut and fill the house with blooms....I recently bought Baroness de Rothschild, she is simply stunning! The Marilyn Monroe of roses....so much so I’ve ordered some more.... Much love Kate
Excellent video, as always. Worth thinking about your local stonework and brickwork too - each county has it’s own type. Reckon you’ve got some waterstruck soft red behind you there. Gives a nice contrast with the greens and brings out the roses.
Crikey, I've just now realised I have the structure for an E. C. G. I just need the flowers. I'm working on it. I've always wanted this , just didn't know what it was. I've rediscovered the hard landscaping, found old walls, buried under years of leaf mold. 8 hours a day working in my garden and yes, it appears effortless. I'm getting there.
This was a fantastic video. I am pleased to know, I’m incorporating some of these techniques in my garden, but I have learned what else I can do to achieve this style. Thank you! 🌿🌿🌹🌹🌿🌿
Thank you Alexandra. In my small new garden I feel I am succeeding in achieving my vision. I think my lawn is going to shrink as I move the borders ever inwards❤
Kiwiken, as I told people when I dug a new "border" in the middle of my lawn - less mowing more growing! Have to say, it completely transformed the whole feel of the garden and allowed me space to indulge my passion for day lilies.
I have all the beautiful plants, the palette, the repetition, the large borders, BUT I'm missing the structure from boxwood, brick walls and large hedges. It's just not the same without those things. You guys might not even notice, since you live in the UK and are used to it. But here in the American West we have wide open spaces and cheap fences.
I absolutely love your videos Alexandra! They are both inspiring and informative, I have found much helpful advice from you and enjoy seeing your garden too. I have a large garden, and not much idea what I’m doing lol, but I am having so much fun trying to design it and as I have a Georgian house the English country garden style is perfect for it .
I’m trying to create an English country garden here in North West Ireland. I’m English born of Irish parents. To me an ECG is pretty, with lots of roses and perennials. Thank you.
This is the best of your UA-cam films I've watched so far (and, having only just discovered you, I've watched quite a few over the last couple of days). Interviewing and/or having input from Head Gardeners is very interesting and (despite living in rural west Gloucestershire, not very far from Hidcote and Barnsley House) I think West Dean is my favourite English garden. Thank you.
Tom Brown is just brilliant. Inspiring, actually. I sense that the cottage gardener within me is starting the metamorphosis into an English country garden one! The flower border shown from West Dean gardens is spellbinding. I know that the Japanese style is quite different from the English country approach, but they both elicit a sense of calm and ease which I find alluring.
Thank you Alexandra, I really enjoyed this. I shall definitely be visiting Doddington Gardens when they are next open. I have lived in Faversham since 1987 and never been!
They're open Wednesdays and Sundays at the moment, pre-booking required via the NGS website - but a nice time to visit gardens as they all only allow limited numbers in.
Really enjoyed this discussion. You offer so much more than pretty gardens. Lots of information to use in my own garden. I am in central USA so am adapting what works for my area. Probably more grasses and shrubs for lower upkeep.
I especially like your Visit to the head garden designer professionals. It is more convincing. My space is limited. If I have a space I would give to rose rather than any other kind.
Alexandria , I would really appreciate a video about how you looked after your lavender when you originally planted them , it would great ! Especially as I’m a young gardener I would love it 😊.
I have to admit that they needed very little care. I planted them as very tiny plants because that was a cheap way to buy them, and planted them quite close together. I don't feed them, or water them, and the only care is clipping them back after they've flowered and there's a video here on to prune lavender ua-cam.com/video/E5MtEnplUUo/v-deo.html However, I only started cutting them back this hard once they had grown a bit - maybe when they were about two years old. So that's it, just plant and then prune once a year. I hope that helps.
The Middle-Sized Garden thanks you so much, I’ve just planted my first 2 in the ground and I will take you advice wisely, it’s also good to know as I live in London ,of which is in Hardiness Zone 8 ( which is a similar climate to yours in Faversham ) also the variety is called Lavender Blue Spear ☺️.
My absolute favorite is Le Vasterival by the sea in Normandy. Highly innovative use of transparence pruning that allow large mature trees, shrubs and parterres to thrive in a very exposed coastal environment. Close second would be Piet Oudolf’s natural gardens in the Netherlands. I must say I have grow tired of the Great British Herbaceous Border. They do well on magazine covers though.
Thank you for making amazing Videos.I have a bird feeder in my back yard .I want to know what I can plant near it so that birds don’t spoil them Please advise . Thank you
I think you can plant what you like. Our bird feeder is near roses, dahlias, cannas, irises, daffodils, a hedge, cosmos and cerinthe and the birds haven't caused any damage to the plants. It may be different if you have any very aggressive birds where you are? In some places, birds strip the fruit from fruit trees and I think they also nibble salad leaves and cabbages. It may be worth asking neighbours who feed birds if they have had any problems.
Yes, definitely - that's why Joff Elphick said that 'English country gardens aren't necessarily in England.' And he added 'the style is not even necessarily English - going on to list the influences from around the world that have impacted on the style, from words like 'cloche' and 'parterre' to the urns that have classical Greek or Roman roots. I was wondering if you think that there may also be a specifically 'Scottish garden style' - one that might be found all over the world, and perhaps not even be completely Scottish in origin, but which people would equate to Scottish garden style? I think I have seen something like it in Australia, but would hesitate to label it as such without more information.
A really simple key tip, especially for Americans wanting to create an English Cottage Garden is that the English hardly ever use chartreuse coloured plants in our cottage gardens. We don't like the colour that much, it clashes with everything and looks obnoxious. Also, we don't use that many purple red or burgundy leaved plants (we do use plants that have those autumn colours though)
Great video! Developing a Cottage Garden in Fl. Zone 9 full sun. Very difficult. I search out sun lovers that look cottagey. Cleome, butterfly bush, rose of Sharon, Hollyhocks only last apx 2 wks., so, i gave up on them. Salvia Dianthus,milkweed, Gerber daisies etc Any suggestions?
So interesting that in all the pictures the lawn/grass portions were scandalously below par, compared to your typical suburban North American greener than green lawns on steroids :)
We have a real issue with rainfall in East Kent, and I think we have all decided that we cannot waste water on the lawns, as we are officially 'water stressed.' The days when Britain was considered a rainy country are long gone, certainly in this region.
I love the look of such gardens but don't have time to maintain one. It looks like a full time job. Delphiniums, lupins and poppies won't grow for me (nor will Chinese lanterns). The snails get them before they grow. Hollyhocks and foxgloves get some kind of rust disease and look sickly. Over the years I've discovered which plants like to live where and don't require much maintenance - also a mix that will provide some colour all year round.
Please do not use repeats of garden photos in the same blog. I ache to see English gardens so to see the same one over and over is not satisfying . I do watch all of your videos and enjoy 99% . Thank you
I'm sorry to hear that and will bear it in mind. But it can be difficult to get different views as I shoot on my own, and often have very limited time in a garden if it's not mine (I shoot the first hour after sunrise or the last one before sunset). Sometimes, too, a particular view may be relevant to more than one point, so I would repeat it. But I'll keep trying to get more views, thank you for commenting.
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden You are a lovely lady with a world of talent in the gardening world. Thank you for replying to my post. I understand now. I am sorry for any upset . I love your videos and will continue to watch. All the best, Bunny
The channel is called what it is because her own garden is middle-sized (ie not a stately home but not a small city garden either). Her content provides broader advice on designing and growing English style gardens. Most of us appreciate it, but even if you don't, why the need to be so rude?
@@zoewhite7705 Wasn’t personal. My first time there & it wasn’t what it was advertised. Alexandra is a big girl & I suspect her tender pink feelings are intact.
@@Cenepk101you're the one using your energy to complain that these gardens shown as examples in a video about english COUNTRY gardens (traditionally huge) don't match the name of the channel (???) when you should've put that energy towards using your brain...
This is a very late comment to this video, but I’d like to share this. This archetypal English country garden is my favorite, but all gardens have real magic in them. In the worst times of my life, retreating to a garden has restored me, or at least helped see me through. A walk, a long sit, but best of all the puttering about with plants and having your hands in the earth is better for the weary soul than anything else. Suffering a great loss is eased by spring and the miracle of nature’s renewal. Working to plant for the next year’s blossom restores faith that life will go on. The scent of lavender or lilacs recall a loved one long gone, and now suddenly here, a brief, tender visit. This may not be why we all begin gardening, but I think it has much to do with why we become gardeners.
What a lovely comment and so true. You can get completely lost in what you’re doing while gardening and then sit back with a cup of tea and admire all your hard work. Lovely ❣️
I wish more people would take an interest in gardening. I don't know of anything else that can give you the same satisfaction.
Absolutely!
If I can’t garden, then I’m probably dead
I whole heartedly agree, gardening is therapy....I’m happiest in the garden 💕
Even if it’s not your own garden it’s lovely to garden.
I have to say that my outside garden is less satisfying to tend than my inside garden meaning my children. That is THEE MOST SATISFYING garden I tend. Watching them as 🌱 young seedlings sprouting into toddler hood tending to their beds making sure their foundation was full of nutrients for good growth. Then onto adolescence caring for their roots and plucking out the weeds as they mature into adulthood. Now backing away to enjoy the sun and rain and letting them "make their own food" but I still water from time to time when they need a pick me up. 😊
I have an English garden. Mother is British and it's in the blood! We are in the Midwest. I adore my old home....built in 1910.
Having discovered your videos recently, I find them an absolute joy, particularly this one. They are so well made, and devoid of presenters' cliches. I don't know how you manage it every week! Thank you very much.
Thank you so much! Occasionally I miss a week, because you're right that fitting in a video a week is quite time consuming. But I try not to!
This was beautiful. I absolutely loved every minute. English cottage style is my absolute favorite.
Thank you so much!
🌻 great Video, as always! Thanx for all the work each week, Alexandra. I am sure a Video is not done in 30 min. You are giving all of us , no matter where we are in the world, so many wonderful things to think about for our
Time in the garden. 👍🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻 you are not a 5 Star gardener, you get 10 sunflowers from me, for all the work to make the world better , by getting folks to do more gardening each day. take care till next week. 🌻
Oh thank you so much! And you are quite right, it does take time, but I really wanted this one to be beautiful.
I love English Country Garderns
When u are looking at revamping your garden so hit the tube and realise Ur style is in fact no what you expected. I thought I was cottage but I have discovered I am 100 a lover of e. Country. Defining my style should help me get my garden back on track. Thanks so much
It's because I lived in England for a while as a child and then when home in Canada we had next-door neighbours with a British background--and they created glorious gardens. That's why I'm a cottage style gardener today.
Hello
Hello Barbara
Thank you for putting together all of these unique interviews! You are sharing access to people and ideas that I (and probably others) would otherwise not get to hear. The video footage of the beautiful gardens makers it even more special!
Thank you so much!
Great, great video! I love how much information you convey in such a short period of time. Every minute counts and I appreciate it. Your content combined with the interviews are very compelling. I'm not sure what kind of garden I have, but I believe I have some of the elements of an English garden in my little quarter-acre plot. ;-). Thanks.
Wonderful tips in this video! I especially enjoyed the sage advice of the head gardener from West Dean Garden. I never thought about the garden in this particular way...of “everyone talking at the same time”. I tend to want lots of flowers in the borders of many varieties, but I think this way of thinking is poignant, and I need to curb my desire to have an explosive experience and settle on full but calming borders. Excellent! Thank you so much, Alexandra, for bringing this information to us! I hope you are enjoying the weekend! 💚🌿🌳🌺
Thank you so much - it was such an interesting video to make!
Thank you, Alexandra! Finding you is like getting the “golden ticket” to visit English gardens! I am in Indiana, the Midwest of the US. I am putting in a large garden this summer that is inspired by the English country gardens of England. Where would I be without your videos?!
I totally love the English country style. I loved seeing the ones in your video. Thank you for sharing ❤️
On a weekend when torrential showers have chased me indoors, I really enjoyed these expert perspectives and advice. Trying to translate the English cottage and country garden styles into a tropical context is quite challenging but I am learning so much from your videos. Thanks as always and wishing you well, Alexandra!
Thank you so much. And I can imagine it can be quite difficult to translate them into a tropical context, but lovely.
I understand your comment!! Im in israel so working with a different climate, growing conditions as well as native plants! However i find some of the concepts and the amazing creativity inspiring and encourGing. Sometimes my question is not answered directly but a clue is given that i realize leads me to what im looking for! Much live and gardening joy to you!
ABSOLUTE HEAVEN! GLORIOUS LISTENING TO SINGING BIRDS IN THE BACKGROUND! THANK YOU ALEXANDRA FOR THE INSPIRATION! 💐 🐦 💐
I really love your videos. It's wonderful to have a resource for gardens of this size. UA-cam videos so often focus on much smaller, urban back gardens, or trendy, entertainment-centric styles that don't appeal to me. Five years ago we bought a house with a 1 acre back garden with an unobstructed view of the neighboring valley farms and distant hills. It's mostly still an expanse of lawn and has enormous maples dotted over it. I'm the only one in my family who gardens but I've managed to install a small, "formal-ish" rose & lavender garden, a large all-white garden with a rose arch, and a productive kitchen garden with greenhouse. What I have longed for is a more experienced gardening mentor. Thank you for providing this inspiring content.
Thank you so much - and your garden sounds beautiful.
Many thanks for this video. Being in the Blue Mountains in Australia and coming into the coldest part of our winter it is particularly helpful to see videos now that are not specifically "summer" related.
Thank you. At least we have just passed the summer soltice, which means you are now going into summer and we are heading back to winter again, though slowly (I hope).
Wonderful video! These gardens are what I dream of from Phoenix, AZ and what I’m in the process of creating in front of my home. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you!
Thank you Alexandra. 👌💕
I have been watching your videos for the past 6 months or so and I’m all caught up so I look forward to your new videos with such gusto ! I’m such a keen gardener now; the rewards are ongoing and I’m always learning.
Due to current c19 I’ve been furloughed for the past month and have absolutely rejoiced in the time I’ve had in the garden. It’s so rewarding and there is always something to do...
Roses are my absolute passion and my mother and I have found a fabulous seller “cottage memories” The roses we have ordered have arrived in mint condition and are much cheaper than regular garden centres. They have also been exceptionally helpful in advising which roses are most appropriate for our needs. I love roses to cut and fill the house with blooms....I recently bought Baroness de Rothschild, she is simply stunning! The Marilyn Monroe of roses....so much so I’ve ordered some more....
Much love Kate
Excellent video, as always. Worth thinking about your local stonework and brickwork too - each county has it’s own type. Reckon you’ve got some waterstruck soft red behind you there. Gives a nice contrast with the greens and brings out the roses.
Crikey, I've just now realised I have the structure for an E. C. G. I just need the flowers. I'm working on it. I've always wanted this , just didn't know what it was.
I've rediscovered the hard landscaping, found old walls, buried under years of leaf mold. 8 hours a day working in my garden and yes, it appears effortless. I'm getting there.
That sounds like an exciting project, thank you for commenting.
Your hedges are unbelievable💕
This was a fantastic video. I am pleased to know, I’m incorporating some of these techniques in my garden, but I have learned what else I can do to achieve this style. Thank you! 🌿🌿🌹🌹🌿🌿
Thank you!
Thank you Alexandra. In my small new garden I feel I am succeeding in achieving my vision. I think my lawn is going to shrink as I move the borders ever inwards❤
I've made my borders larger too - it does make them look much better. Though it's a bit more work.
Kiwiken, as I told people when I dug a new "border" in the middle of my lawn - less mowing more growing! Have to say, it completely transformed the whole feel of the garden and allowed me space to indulge my passion for day lilies.
I have all the beautiful plants, the palette, the repetition, the large borders, BUT I'm missing the structure from boxwood, brick walls and large hedges. It's just not the same without those things. You guys might not even notice, since you live in the UK and are used to it. But here in the American West we have wide open spaces and cheap fences.
We'd be quite envious of wide open spaces! That's in very short supply round here, but thank you.
I absolutely love your videos Alexandra! They are both inspiring and informative, I have found much helpful advice from you and enjoy seeing your garden too. I have a large garden, and not much idea what I’m doing lol, but I am having so much fun trying to design it and as I have a Georgian house the English country garden style is perfect for it .
Thank you so much!
I’m trying to create an English country garden here in North West Ireland. I’m English born of Irish parents. To me an ECG is pretty, with lots of roses and perennials. Thank you.
Amazing video! English cottage garden style is my favorite. Great tips.💚
Thanks so much! 😊
Trying to achieve this look and feel in Pennsylvania, USA. Thank you for a wonderful wonderful video! So much to think about.
Thank you so much!
@@damianwalter1661 Hello Damian
This is the best of your UA-cam films I've watched so far (and, having only just discovered you, I've watched quite a few over the last couple of days). Interviewing and/or having input from Head Gardeners is very interesting and (despite living in rural west Gloucestershire, not very far from Hidcote and Barnsley House) I think West Dean is my favourite English garden. Thank you.
Thank you, and I am hoping to see West Dean soon as it is a fascinating garden.
Tom Brown is just brilliant. Inspiring, actually. I sense that the cottage gardener within me is starting the metamorphosis into an English country garden one! The flower border shown from West Dean gardens is spellbinding. I know that the Japanese style is quite different from the English country approach, but they both elicit a sense of calm and ease which I find alluring.
Yes, he is so interesting and West Dean gardens are such a delight.
Wow! What a gorgeous video! Absolutely top notch! Thank you for your excellent work, Alexandra.
Thank you Alexandra, I really enjoyed this. I shall definitely be visiting Doddington Gardens when they are next open. I have lived in Faversham since 1987 and never been!
They're open Wednesdays and Sundays at the moment, pre-booking required via the NGS website - but a nice time to visit gardens as they all only allow limited numbers in.
Really enjoyed this discussion. You offer so much more than pretty gardens. Lots of information to use in my own garden. I am in central USA so am adapting what works for my area. Probably more grasses and shrubs for lower upkeep.
Yes, I think grasses and shrubs do really help with the upkeep, and thank you.
I love your program! Thanks 😊
You're so welcome!
Interesting video and great ideas and advice. Thank you!
Great video! You packed so much in and I picked up some really great tips👍
Glad it was helpful!
Brilliant video, with loads of inspiration. And thanks for the links and the playlist. As always, thank you very much indeed.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful garden
Love that you posted this information packed video on the Summer Solstice. Thank you for continuing my gardening education. Cheers
Thank you!
Love this!!!! Great ideas 🌳🌸🌳
Thank you!! 😊
I love your videos and have learnt so much from you... thank you
Well that’s clarified that mine is more of a cottage garden. Some great advice here as usual Alex 👍🏼
Thank you - I think you call yours a cottage garden - very blurred lines between the two but they are a bit different.
I especially like your Visit to the head garden designer professionals. It is more convincing. My space is limited. If I have a space I would give to rose rather than any other kind.
Alexandria , I would really appreciate a video about how you looked after your lavender when you originally planted them , it would great ! Especially as I’m a young gardener I would love it 😊.
I have to admit that they needed very little care. I planted them as very tiny plants because that was a cheap way to buy them, and planted them quite close together. I don't feed them, or water them, and the only care is clipping them back after they've flowered and there's a video here on to prune lavender ua-cam.com/video/E5MtEnplUUo/v-deo.html However, I only started cutting them back this hard once they had grown a bit - maybe when they were about two years old. So that's it, just plant and then prune once a year. I hope that helps.
The Middle-Sized Garden thanks you so much, I’ve just planted my first 2 in the ground and I will take you advice wisely, it’s also good to know as I live in London ,of which is in Hardiness Zone 8 ( which is a similar climate to yours in Faversham ) also the variety is called Lavender Blue Spear ☺️.
Lovely informative video, thank you!! :)
Thank you for that amazing video
Yesss Blue delphiums are must haves!
They are rather special!
Thank you for an inspirational, informative and fun video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
#highcountrygardener I agree, country garden is a style, Im in New Mexico State at 7200 ft elevation. Mulch and compost is the key.
Such a wealth of information. Thanks very much for this video which I found quite inspiring
Thank you!
Thank you so much
What a wonderful video! I learned so much from it, and enjoyed seeing those beautiful gardens. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
My absolute favorite is Le Vasterival by the sea in Normandy. Highly innovative use of transparence pruning that allow large mature trees, shrubs and parterres to thrive in a very exposed coastal environment. Close second would be Piet Oudolf’s natural gardens in the Netherlands. I must say I have grow tired of the Great British Herbaceous Border. They do well on magazine covers though.
I love Vasterival too - I went there for a one day workshop on pruning and it was a revelation.
Love ❤️ the sundial
Thank you.
Such great advice
Wonderful guidance, thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
Great information.....thank you 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for making amazing Videos.I have a bird feeder in my back yard .I want to know what I can plant near it so that birds don’t spoil them Please advise . Thank you
I think you can plant what you like. Our bird feeder is near roses, dahlias, cannas, irises, daffodils, a hedge, cosmos and cerinthe and the birds haven't caused any damage to the plants. It may be different if you have any very aggressive birds where you are? In some places, birds strip the fruit from fruit trees and I think they also nibble salad leaves and cabbages. It may be worth asking neighbours who feed birds if they have had any problems.
So much information, thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Learning !!
Excellent video❤️🌷
Many thanks
We also have beutiful gardens like this in Scotland not just England
Yes, definitely - that's why Joff Elphick said that 'English country gardens aren't necessarily in England.' And he added 'the style is not even necessarily English - going on to list the influences from around the world that have impacted on the style, from words like 'cloche' and 'parterre' to the urns that have classical Greek or Roman roots. I was wondering if you think that there may also be a specifically 'Scottish garden style' - one that might be found all over the world, and perhaps not even be completely Scottish in origin, but which people would equate to Scottish garden style? I think I have seen something like it in Australia, but would hesitate to label it as such without more information.
A really simple key tip, especially for Americans wanting to create an English Cottage Garden is that the English hardly ever use chartreuse coloured plants in our cottage gardens. We don't like the colour that much, it clashes with everything and looks obnoxious. Also, we don't use that many purple red or burgundy leaved plants (we do use plants that have those autumn colours though)
What are those huge blooming shrubs in the back around the 14:00 point.
At 7:07 can you tell me what that shrub or tree is just above the larger white flowers.... thank you
Great video! Developing a Cottage Garden in Fl. Zone 9 full sun. Very difficult. I search out sun lovers that look cottagey. Cleome, butterfly bush, rose of Sharon, Hollyhocks only last apx 2 wks., so, i gave up on them. Salvia Dianthus,milkweed, Gerber daisies etc
Any suggestions?
Check out the rest of her videos, I'm sure she has a couple on the longest blooming perennials.
Super garden
Thank you!
"By a higher power!"
excellent!
Gardening To Do List:
1. Get blue Delphiniums.
So interesting that in all the pictures the lawn/grass portions were scandalously below par, compared to your typical suburban North American greener than green lawns on steroids :)
We have a real issue with rainfall in East Kent, and I think we have all decided that we cannot waste water on the lawns, as we are officially 'water stressed.' The days when Britain was considered a rainy country are long gone, certainly in this region.
How is this different than cottage style?
👌💕
I love the look of such gardens but don't have time to maintain one. It looks like a full time job. Delphiniums, lupins and poppies won't grow for me (nor will Chinese lanterns). The snails get them before they grow. Hollyhocks and foxgloves get some kind of rust disease and look sickly. Over the years I've discovered which plants like to live where and don't require much maintenance - also a mix that will provide some colour all year round.
Yes, this style is more work than some gardens - very wise of you to find plants that like to live in your garden
Please do not use repeats of garden photos in the same blog. I ache to see English gardens so to see the same one over and over is not satisfying . I do watch all of your videos and enjoy 99% . Thank you
I'm sorry to hear that and will bear it in mind. But it can be difficult to get different views as I shoot on my own, and often have very limited time in a garden if it's not mine (I shoot the first hour after sunrise or the last one before sunset). Sometimes, too, a particular view may be relevant to more than one point, so I would repeat it. But I'll keep trying to get more views, thank you for commenting.
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden You are a lovely lady with a world of talent in the gardening world. Thank you for replying to my post. I understand now. I am sorry for any upset . I love your videos and will continue to watch. All the best, Bunny
While that was interesting- It doesn't relate whatsoever to a middle-sized garden. Ridiculous
The channel is called what it is because her own garden is middle-sized (ie not a stately home but not a small city garden either). Her content provides broader advice on designing and growing English style gardens. Most of us appreciate it, but even if you don't, why the need to be so rude?
@@zoewhite7705 I guess I was disappointed that day. What’s your excuse?
@@Cenepk101 I felt bad for Alexandra, putting such an incredible amount of work into this video just to have someone call it "ridiculous".
@@zoewhite7705 Wasn’t personal. My first time there & it wasn’t what it was advertised. Alexandra is a big girl & I suspect her tender pink feelings are intact.
@@Cenepk101you're the one using your energy to complain that these gardens shown as examples in a video about english COUNTRY gardens (traditionally huge) don't match the name of the channel (???) when you should've put that energy towards using your brain...
Great video. Thank you