Days out in Oxfordshire - Greys Court

Sometimes I forget how lucky I am living on the borders of Berkshire and Oxfordshire. There are so many pretty towns and villages to explore on days off, and lots of grand country houses in and around the area. This weekend, I went for a look around Greys Court.

Situated in Rotherfield Greys, near Henley on Thames with amazing views over the surrounding Chiltern hills, the 16th Century grand house was a family home until very recently when it was gifted to the National Trust. 

Still complete with the original furniture, the decor has been sympathetically refreshed where necessary. The personal possessions, like tapestry cushions, embroidery and patchwork quilts, make the rooms feel really homely and lived-in and the kitchen was a masterclass in how to mix period (tudor/elizabethan architectural features and stone masonry) and modern pieces (like the fab teal 1950's wall tiles).  

Our visit coincided with a NAFAS exhibition. So as we explored the grounds and gardens, built around medieval ruins and a 12th century tower, I snapped a few piccies of the outdoor displays. Was really impressed with how well they had fared considering we'd had some pretty strong wind and rain in the previous 3 days.

The gardens are a real delight and include an all white garden, several rose gardens, and walled gardens hanging with wysteria vines. Borders are planted with peonies and foxgloves, pathways lined with lavender, and clematis hangs heavy from archways. Turn a corner and you'll find a wild meadow area and an orchard. I felt like a big kid exploring, excited to see where each doorway would lead.

The planting and variety of styles at Grey's Court has something for everyone (who likes plants and history anyway) and provides ideas and inspiration aplenty. 

The green fingered leave with plans for planting and those who are more romantically inclined might leave dreaming of secret gardens and moonlight clinches! 

Here Comes Summer

After a week of sweltering temperatures followed by a dreadfully soggy British bank holiday I can only assume that it must be summer. Oh, and we have been getting some lovely summer flowers in the shop too. Thought I'd share some of my favourites with you....

First up there's Lisianthus, or to give it its proper name Eustoma. I like it so much that I included three shots of it here! It comes in so many different varieties that I may even dedicate a whole post to it sometime - there's green, cream, white, shades of pink and purple and whites edged with pink and purple. And ok, you can get it all year round, but it works so well with all the other summer flowers I just had to include it here. 

Next up are Snapdragons, or Antirhinum.  They have a lovely pointy shape thats great in vases and they come in lots of great hot pinks and oranges as well as softer pastel shades. To me they are so typical of english country gardens, I will definitely be growing these when I retire to a tumbledown cottage in some quaint village by the sea. And I'll let you into a little secret, the flowers don't really have much of a scent but I love the smell of the leaves. They smell like peas.
 

Delphinium are another tall linear flower that scream summer. If money was no object I would fill huge vases around the home with these blue beauties. Such great intense hues, some shot with lilac and mauve but they also come in the sweetest soft ice blues - which is one of my favourite colours at the moment for bridal flowers - just check out my Pinterest wedding board for proof.

And then, how could I breathe the word summer without mentioning Peonies. "Oh sweet many petalled love!" These blooms are stunning, they start off in tight round buds, sometimes taunting the impatient florist, and then they slowly, or more often quickly, unfurl to reveal their full blousey beauty.

From your Sarah Bernhardts to your Shirley Temples, there are so many lovely varieties to choose from. And they smell... divine, not just the leaves either ; ) They have a fairly short life and a short season so get them now and enjoy them while they last. 

Hydrangea are around all summer with a huge range of options to choose from in the pinks, blues, purples spectrums as well as white and greens. Russety shades seem to be around more towards the end of the summer and into autumn although thats probably more seasonal demand than actual availability. As always most flowers are available all year, but at a price, so it pays to buy when they're in season. 

And last but not least, Allium. Again another one that speaks of cottage gardens to me. I'm besotted with their perfectly formed spheres on clean long stems. They look amazing in modern arrangements as their bold striking shape is so eye catching.

Just be warned that they are in the onion family and so the cut stems can be a bit pongy. You'll certainly know about it if you don't refresh the vase water, or its been a particularly hot few days. Still, I won't hold it against them.  

What are your favourite summer flowers? Do you think I've missed any out here?