English Flower Garden owned by National Trust
Roses, Tulips, Lilies, Fuchsia Star at One of Britain's Best Gardens
Nov 5, 2009
“Groundbreaking” is a word horticulturalists use to describe the work of Lawrence Johnston at Hidcote Manor Garden. Owned and maintained by the United Kingdom’s National Trust, the garden is open to the public who come by the thousands to admire one of England’s greatest gardens.
American Becomes Gloucestershire Flower Gardener
Shortly after Johnston graduated from Trinity College in Cambridge in 1897, he became a British citizen and fought in the Boer War, the beginning of a 20-year military career. His wealthy, twice-widowed American mother, Gertrude Winthrop, bought Hidcote in 1907 and she and her only surviving son from her first marriage took up residence.
At the time, the estate encompassed 300 acres of farmland, a manor house, 10 cottages and the hamlet of Hidcote Bartrim near Chipping Camden in the Cotswolds. Over the next 40 years, Major Johnston indulged his passion for gardening, transforming the grounds into what the National Trust calls “one of England’s Greatest Gardens, an Arts & Crafts masterpiece.” More than 160,000 people visit annually.
“This is an iconic garden that has probably influenced every garden of the 20th century,” says Mike Beeston, Hidcote property manager. “In my view, it’s the best garden in England, certainly the best 20th-century garden.”
Arts & Crafts Inspires National Trust Garden
The influence of the Arts & Crafts Movement can be seen in the garden’s use of hedges rather than brick or stone walls, says Beeston. The natural look in plantings, with no uniform style, was another influence of the movement, emphasizing old roses, lilies, scented flowers and romance. This was especially true in the first areas of the garden to be planted, those closest to the manor house:
- Old Garden: Special soil was imported for acid-loving plants, including rhododendrons. Summer blooms include salvia, white cactus dahlias and blue Himalayan poppies.
- White Garden: Noted for its topiary birds, spring flowers include tulips and violas and in summer there are white Canterbury bells, white phlox and pale floribunda roses.
- Fuchsia Garden: Blue scillas in spring and fuchsias in summer and autumn. Enclosed by box hedges, topiary birds mark the entrance to the Bathing Pool Garden.
Gardener’s Style Grew with Exotic Plants
As Johnston continued his work in the garden, his style began to range from a traditional cottage garden to something very contemporary, says Beeston. He went on plant-collecting expeditions to China, the Himalayas and Africa and even Mount Kilimanjaro. He also engaged in plant swapping with fellow plant enthusiasts in Australia and Japan. The flowers he found in the wild were brought back to cultivation. Today, 65 plants contain the Johnston or Hidcote name.
Hidcote Garden grew to 10.5 acres encompassing 28 outdoor “rooms,” what Johnston liked to call the separate garden areas he divided with hedges. Color was not the only factor Johnston took into consideration when choosing plants for his “rooms.” He also considered their habit of growth, form, shape and texture of their leaves, and their scent.
He lived at Hidcote with a large domestic staff, including 12 full-time gardeners, and when not gardening, the confirmed bachelor spent his days playing tennis, the piano or painting. His mother considered his devotion to his garden frivolous. When she died, she left him only the interest on her considerable estate because she did not want him to squander her money on plants.
Johnston spent part of his year at his home, Serre de la Madone, near Menton on the French Riviera, where he had another spectacular garden. When he moved there permanently in 1948 he left Hidcote to the National Trust. It was the Trust’s first attempt at administering a garden.
Annual Flowers, Roses and Perennials Flourish
In Johnston’s day, the gardens were open to visitors only once a year for a charity event. Among the garden “rooms” visitors can view today are:
- Pillar Garden: Severe architectural lines of tall clipped yews give it a Mediterranean look. Pink double peonies are at their prime in May, offset by purple giant alliums. Summer features mock orange and lavender with fuchsias lasting into fall.
- Mrs. Winthrop’s Garden: Johnston’s mother loved blue and yellow and the plants in her garden follow this color theme. His mother often sat on color-coordinated cushions here when enjoying the garden. Plants include creeping Jenny, violas, alliums and salvia.
- The Wilderness: Often referred to as Westonbirt, the name of the nearby national arboretum, it was planned to attract birds. Roses and hydrangeas bloom among birches, maples and cherry trees.
- New Orchard: Hidcote supplied four hospitals with fruit and vegetables from this orchard during World War II. The area is now used to cultivate new plants for the gardens.
- Rose Walk: Lilacs bloom in spring followed by heavily scented old French roses, which are usually at their peak in June.
- Plant House: Pomegranates from Asia and Angels Trumpets from Peru grow in this Edwardian-style greenhouse.
- Red Borders: Cannas, lobelias, dahlias, verbena, tulips, poppies, delphiniums, day lilies and ornamental grass flourish along a grassy path between two hedges.
- Stilt Garden: Johnston played boule, or boccie, here among gazebos and masses of sage, grasses and hostas.
- Central Stream Garden: Candelabra flowers of the largest Indian horse chestnut in England bloom in June.
National Trust Welcomes Visitors to Gloucestershire Garden
Hidcote Manor and Garden is open from late February to early December in the North Cotswolds near the village of Mickelton, home of the famous Pudding Club. It has a Garden Restaurant and Barn Café as well as picnic areas. The Garden Yard shop sells plants, local crafts and food items.
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