Hurrah for Handkerchiefs

Well it would seem that despite the freezing winter, the cold temperatures have actually had a beneficial effect on the garden. Not only have the magnolias had their best year in over a decade, but it looks like our Chinese Handkerchief Tree is about to follow suit! Give it another few days and the typical white bracts will be looking amazing and giving our courtyard a real spring lift.

Wedding bells are ringing at Hidcote

Saturday 27 March was a very exciting day for us here at Hidcote, it was the day of our first wedding ceremony.

Lawrence Johnston's chapel was primed and ready to go (decorated with some stunning flowers from The Bay Tree at Campden) and there was a bustle as guests awaited that arrival of the bride in the courtyard.

The sun was shining, the birds were singing and the bride was a vision in white!

All went off without a hitch and the newly married couple set off into the sunset for their honeymoon!

Garden full of handkerchiefs

No, we haven't been reducing our visitors to tears. Following the beautiful Spring weather we've been having the magnificent Chinese Handkerchief Tree is blooming much earlier than normal. The white bracts that the tree is famous for have been appearing thick and fast this week. If you haven't had chance to see the tree in all its glory, visit us soon as the display will only last a few precious weeks.

The garden has been full of early arrivals this year with the purple flowers from the wisterias in the courtyards also beginning to appear within the past week.

...like walking on a beach.

First impressions from Ros when she came to Hidcote today, walking across the newly re-surfaced courtyard and carpark, done just last week in time for the opening. It is some sort of pea gravel, but I don't know anything more. It seems quite deep and very lightly coloured, but I wonder how long it will last with hundreds of visitors coming and going every week?