On a freezing afternoon in February Garden History paid a special visit to Trinity Manor, having been invited to see the magnificent Magnolia Campbellii and also the very many old camellias which were smothered in flowers. With bare trees near the lake, panoramic views were possible across much of the bosquet and beyond. Four new different driftwood sculptures by James Doran-Webb have added impact and interest. In the old walled orchard, a pond was being made for the new Japanese garden. G H has been invited for a return in summer.
In March, a return visit was made to Hamptonne to compare the present herb, vegetable and “Victorian privy” garden with past records. With plants having been pruned, it was possible to see the basic structures. Rain forced an indoor meeting with a knowledgeable staff member. Many suggestions were made for the improvement and authenticity of design, but these could be negated by lack of funds and no one horticulturally competent person to oversee any maintenance. G H members were given handouts: a map by architect John Williams (1993), and information from both Penny Anderson Associates’ 76 page garden assessment of 2001 and Caryl Kemp’s follow-up of 2017.
