The RHS Companion Guide To Scented Plants By Stephen Lacey: Book Review

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After <a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/how-to-turn-any-bunch-of-flowers-into.html" target="_blank">this post</a> on how adding home-grown eucalyptus is a cheap and effective way to give pizazz to any bunch of flowers, it got me thinking once again about scented plants in the garden. I am absolutely crazy about scented flowers. If you are too then <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0711235740/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0711235740&linkCode=as2&tag=modecounstyl-21&linkId=2JX7VP2JZR6KQCTI">The RHS Companion to Scented Plants</a>,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">the only major reference work on scent and scented flowers that is endorsed by the RHS,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> authored by Stephen Lacey is one book you won't want to miss.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="RHS Companion to Scented Plants lr" height="640" src="https://hurtlingtowards60.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/rhs-companion-to-scented-plants-lr.jpg?w=640&h=846" width="483" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Companion To Scented Plants (published by Frances Lincoln), not only contains an extensive list of plants (more on that below), but also gives over the first three chapters (Scent And The Gardener, The Nature Of Scent, and Planning Your Garden) to fantastic ideas about garden designs that are beautiful AND highly scented....a Modern Country Garden paradise!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the book acts as a catalogue of scented plants and flowers. However, and let me very clear, this is <i>not </i>a dry, dull reference book. Instead, Stephen Lacey's text will have the olfactory  equivalent to making your mouth water (making your nose run??!!)...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="RHS-Scented-Plants-sample-2" height="391" src="http://reckless-gardener.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/RHS-Scented-Plants-sample-2.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This book reveals aroma as the intensely personal but often-missing ingredient of beautiful gardens. If you spent the long summer evenings in your garden enjoying al fresco suppers.....but <i>didn't </i>spend time with your head buried in deliciously fragrant flowers then, <i>please</i>, buy <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0711235740/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0711235740&linkCode=as2&tag=modecounstyl-21&linkId=2JX7VP2JZR6KQCTI">The RHS Companion to Scented Plants</a> and set yourself that delightfully achievable and utterly pleasurable goal for next year!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishdyCk6ObcKba86AmGFXP8ZzlWNLaNUxY1YUf5fZgrAuub43PCTanFzHQIWZaHPxWWEyGo27f0dmV6LlJVoivf2FfJI6bW-2vZuJ37vNTL_rqXDcTQ0gCMjkXzyiu81CunQfWH1y3_ZU/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqUyRhCg66gPfNQHh81rGOfvP_VywWXZqmmtMCjkwk_8h3tp2giJzjabWtNCTfsCfeGInxUcrjS5f4hN-9ni-WpudY16p2jrQvLG77TNFiylmGDVHlNlhiZJunob4YyRG5n7m46U703I/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

The RHS Companion Guide To Scented Plants By Stephen Lacey: Book Review

After this post  on how adding home-grown eucalyptus is a cheap and effective way to give pizazz to any bunch of flowers, it got me thinking...

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How To Turn Any Bunch Of Flowers Into An Absolute Show-Stopper...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is how easy it is (and how cheap) to get a crowd-stopping bouquet of flowers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqDi-uSqyTNYTadWrPVY-Lujj7koPXmYxrROmGQa8F3D8IF08OeQBWSBEOSkJS39FIFWdIGkoSazAjwne0k7OZjU8YcpELUm5JVsf8vPXs9IrT6ykejoue7UXpA5sV5GPFFdlxvNGxDSw/s1600/bandq+flowers+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqDi-uSqyTNYTadWrPVY-Lujj7koPXmYxrROmGQa8F3D8IF08OeQBWSBEOSkJS39FIFWdIGkoSazAjwne0k7OZjU8YcpELUm5JVsf8vPXs9IrT6ykejoue7UXpA5sV5GPFFdlxvNGxDSw/s1600/bandq+flowers+040.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Take one single large bunch of lilies. These are from Sainsbury's.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then here is my star tip...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">****Add eucalyptus from your garden.****</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnmM2nVOgOISbYIBVn0UyvwAngNoOJ9O-4gMNOpgG-Ax6gmssNUj7Z_IL7c7BHIYXxMap71FHi8N0FvTa4eFgT1QKi0rE_s2eqwPWAdyb45c8AjEm6Cy4NyYrnqhyPNd7nYe2xrKqsHtX/s1600/bandq+flowers+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnmM2nVOgOISbYIBVn0UyvwAngNoOJ9O-4gMNOpgG-Ax6gmssNUj7Z_IL7c7BHIYXxMap71FHi8N0FvTa4eFgT1QKi0rE_s2eqwPWAdyb45c8AjEm6Cy4NyYrnqhyPNd7nYe2xrKqsHtX/s1600/bandq+flowers+043.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We grow Eucalyptus Gunnii for this very purpose. Lots of people are put off by horror stories of the enormously towering plant that Eucalyptus can become but in fact it responds superbly well to being coppiced, which means cut back to the ground, every few years, in late winter. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v1vfcOj37y8wBbULAv6_AcPvQB0Iv5nORDaJZq1prZp6TGa8yBCuvMpY4jkVwjLnAP9PP73ACCHwqiXHKJjdDFMQSpyJiI-40wQOrGmTYzU_DKO9iJF6ThX5ym61feNCXuWLAYQ8ILbd/s1600/bandq+flowers+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v1vfcOj37y8wBbULAv6_AcPvQB0Iv5nORDaJZq1prZp6TGa8yBCuvMpY4jkVwjLnAP9PP73ACCHwqiXHKJjdDFMQSpyJiI-40wQOrGmTYzU_DKO9iJF6ThX5ym61feNCXuWLAYQ8ILbd/s1600/bandq+flowers+041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This creates a multi-stemmed bush, rather than a towering tree, and allows the plant to produce more of its beautiful grey-green juvenile foliage. And its ths gorgeous, glaucous leafiness that both glams up and bulks up any bouquet. A perfect double whammy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a go and let me know how you get on...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishdyCk6ObcKba86AmGFXP8ZzlWNLaNUxY1YUf5fZgrAuub43PCTanFzHQIWZaHPxWWEyGo27f0dmV6LlJVoivf2FfJI6bW-2vZuJ37vNTL_rqXDcTQ0gCMjkXzyiu81CunQfWH1y3_ZU/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqUyRhCg66gPfNQHh81rGOfvP_VywWXZqmmtMCjkwk_8h3tp2giJzjabWtNCTfsCfeGInxUcrjS5f4hN-9ni-WpudY16p2jrQvLG77TNFiylmGDVHlNlhiZJunob4YyRG5n7m46U703I/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All images: Modern Country Style</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

How To Turn Any Bunch Of Flowers Into An Absolute Show-Stopper...

This is how easy it is (and how cheap) to get a crowd-stopping bouquet of flowers. Take one single large bunch of lilies. These are from Sai...

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Leopoldina Haynes' Small Garden

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you thought things couldn't get any better after that delicious Modern Country <a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/swedishfrench-style-victorian-house-tour.html" target="_blank">house tour of Leopoldina Haynes' home</a>, you'd be wrong, wrong, wrong! Come on outside into the very small but perfectly formed garden, reached through the back of the kitchen double doors, and see what I mean.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden" height="421" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/20/31/d3/2031d362e4bc9f7c2bdf46560c084613.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leopoldina Haynes' tiny garden has that heavenly mix of topiary and soft planting, which makes it utterly eye-catching and utterly, <i>utterly </i>Modern Country.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEj5XNVlwMhaoI-bwEx_i5SiJ0P0cg39I_TJFUftAWm_anUqreH-NGeGcKvAK4sgh8pzX84_NeJWRCGDkVAjG5Wo9R6S843BdWll6kGiXXF4_nM617I9L0oeVMfpqY1bted1p2nbqFp7IFoBP1MudM1Ko0X4NuPgmjAPcR2JJeJxODG2Z9DTlnp4y9__kG9N9XSGSCfy=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden" border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ba/6f/7d/ba6f7dd673e6867dd21e1c456cf9f9ac.jpg" width="432" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Designed in conjunction with Claire Mee Designs, the garden walls are lined with shutterboard cladding, painted in Dulux Chalky Downs 3, a delicious, chalky taupe shade. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes garden, photographed by Yasunori Shimomura for Modern Living Japan, September 2013." height="426" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d3/e5/a9/d3e5a9da7fa5ba6c40eacd9928b5ddd2.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the predominant paint colour (in all its forms) used inside Leopoldina's house so brings a sense of continuity between the two spaces, as well as introducing a light and airy feeling, which seems to  enlarge the small space.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes garden, photographed by Yasunori Shimomura for Modern Living Japan, September 2013." height="426" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/81/bf/d0/81bfd0e313473785f405f7c118c701c3.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leopoldina Haynes' garden has a limited but beautiful selection of plants, with a strong Mediterranean theme, in a tight palette of green and white, with the odd hint of colour</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden: outdoor dining" height="421" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/04/be/66/04be6676ff4772d22ec7bdb569968bd7.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">....namely: white hydrangeas...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden: topiary and fig tree" height="426" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6d/c2/aa/6dc2aa79dcf0b68ece612c7b7cd826a4.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">rosemary....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden" height="420" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/22/a6/3d/22a63d2ad7fe76a6f7b06441eedc5844.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">myrtle.... <i>{make sure you clock that vintage garden fork and spade!}</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden, design by Claire Mee" height="299" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6e/19/b0/6e19b042cede81ee4301893bf4d3dd68.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">English roses...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes garden, photographed by Yasunori Shimomura for Modern Living Japan, September 2013." height="426" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/31/26/23/31262352a2c4544eb7a518d21354c9b0.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">fig trees....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden, basket planters" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/13/f3/5d/13f35dcf9c1fdeeaf38c9a061f33caa3.jpg" width="422" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">olive trees...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden: olive trees and dining outdoor" height="421" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/80/c0/29/80c029cf9cb58dc1aab7aea3d1d50c9e.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">cyclamen.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden" height="421" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/9e/60/38/9e60383cdc047547aed752d3fd1e895d.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and lavender, in a decorative concrete planter....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes garden, photographed by Yasunori Shimomura for Modern Living Japan, September 2013." height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5d/f5/9c/5df59cc3aa1385b425bb5999b3e02865.jpg" width="426" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...placed lovingly beneath a vintage French mirror.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden" height="430" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/71/c6/e6/71c6e6e32a99714dd0c949d0ac8f4732.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The table and chairs are from high-end Dutch company Free Line.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes garden" height="421" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/34/4c/45/344c458cf6f370f17b4477711ba7ad69.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The floor material is river stone and the raised section is York stone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden, Designed by Claire Mee" height="299" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c1/08/fd/c108fd7cc4001cfd07bc3c05cd4d1d32.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leopoldina Haynes has used a variety of cushions to make the seating more comfortable, in palest mushroom checks and stripes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes garden, photographed by Yasunori Shimomura for Modern Living Japan, September 2013." height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/a9/79/f0/a979f0a5d45652995ceadadd5abd8e4f.jpg" width="426" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love the idea of using baskets in soft-grey rattan for planting. These have been simply lined with plastic bin bags, with their bottoms  pierced for drainage. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b2/e5/16/b2e516565eaa2a6f547c0cd422bb71fc.jpg" width="430" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The hydrangeas look especially beautiful with this treatment - Modern and Country all at the same time. Yummy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden: plants in baskets" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0e/ce/3f/0ece3f60b9c417af8fd83ae06f2ec52c.jpg" width="422" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be still, my beating heart!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden" height="421" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/c1/6c/70/c16c70ee8ef10649bf012c80ff130068.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the topiary? Oh, the topiary...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden: dining table, olive trees and cladding" height="421" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/65/91/57/6591571debbd79690e39a8ecb1b130e1.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some box balls (<i>buxus</i>) are placed methodically between each of the five olive trees...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden" height="421" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/38/dc/59/38dc599f2df0656794d251b7a27e24ad.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and others given the same divine grey rattan basket treatment...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes' garden, roses, topiary, hydrangeas and Poppy the pug" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/55/7f/35/557f35de87d53efa27adf843b6b5ba9a.jpg" width="422" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking back into the house, Leopoldina Haynes has used a darker shade of Dulux Chalky Downs on the window frames, which has been echoed in the colour of the wooden planters...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes' garden, grey window" height="421" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5a/d1/a9/5ad1a9e7a30d7dd877709666aeb9c8b7.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This garden, though teeny-tiny small, has almost magically inviting properties, enticing you out on a summer's evening....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Leopoldina Haynes Garden: white cyclamins and storm lantern" height="421" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7c/ad/1e/7cad1e55bea71918a218a10be0e9f116.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Modern Country garden heaven, no?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishdyCk6ObcKba86AmGFXP8ZzlWNLaNUxY1YUf5fZgrAuub43PCTanFzHQIWZaHPxWWEyGo27f0dmV6LlJVoivf2FfJI6bW-2vZuJ37vNTL_rqXDcTQ0gCMjkXzyiu81CunQfWH1y3_ZU/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqUyRhCg66gPfNQHh81rGOfvP_VywWXZqmmtMCjkwk_8h3tp2giJzjabWtNCTfsCfeGInxUcrjS5f4hN-9ni-WpudY16p2jrQvLG77TNFiylmGDVHlNlhiZJunob4YyRG5n7m46U703I/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Images via: Leopoldina Haynes and Claire Mee on Pinterest</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2F736x%2Fba%2F6f%2F7d%2Fba6f7dd673e6867dd21e1c456cf9f9ac.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEj5XNVlwMhaoI-bwEx_i5SiJ0P0cg39I_TJFUftAWm_anUqreH-NGeGcKvAK4sgh8pzX84_NeJWRCGDkVAjG5Wo9R6S843BdWll6kGiXXF4_nM617I9L0oeVMfpqY1bted1p2nbqFp7IFoBP1MudM1Ko0X4NuPgmjAPcR2JJeJxODG2Z9DTlnp4y9__kG9N9XSGSCfy=" -->

Leopoldina Haynes' Small Garden

If you thought things couldn't get any better after that delicious Modern Country house tour of Leopoldina Haynes' home , you'd ...

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How To Use Topiary In A Modern Country Garden Part 2

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Welcome to our Modern Country Garden! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Won't you sit down and make yourself at home?</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I loved our Country garden...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">but the bulbs and perennials</span><span style="font-size: large;"> that look so beautiful </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">from March to maybe October at a push....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX9W8jaa507pGwwlmTbm4v-VfapuZwKsJ69nX-HQhNcYQGGW2lKbyNbbTWdrSK3iFGp2AzGGMCSGFvCuumMfGFrS3WJ7WpEZzuObUiYXbWrEynTASMPnU0-VeOINfsEdS_0RIitw8BC7X/s1600/112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX9W8jaa507pGwwlmTbm4v-VfapuZwKsJ69nX-HQhNcYQGGW2lKbyNbbTWdrSK3iFGp2AzGGMCSGFvCuumMfGFrS3WJ7WpEZzuObUiYXbWrEynTASMPnU0-VeOINfsEdS_0RIitw8BC7X/s1600/112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...look rather more forlorn come the end of autumn, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and certainly all through winter. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So...what's a Modern Country girl (or boy!) to do?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">One word: topiary! A Modern Country classic!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Topiary (particularly Box or Privet) needs clipping back to its basic shape once or twice a year, with secateurs or special topiary shears, in early or late summer. Now, this sounds finickity and tricksome, I know, but, truly, it's not....particularly if you stick to the simpler shapes <i>{no elephants here!}</i>. Balls, lollipops and pyramids simply need a bit of a haircut and clipped, stem by deliciously ever-verdant stem, back to their desired shape. This is made far easier if you buy them from a reputable shop or nursery (we ordered these <a href="http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/grow-your-own/trees-shrubs/topiary/-specificproducttype-topiary/Box-Ball-Large-13008865?skuId=13519568" target="_blank">Box Balls from B&Q</a>), as the original shape is so perfect.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsXoysycGnOAJv66XyB9x8Z2pChhXrFtw0edEs4QnbUYxvWCFf9ka2x7Sy7uJrVA1Niocm1aZdc8pSMgxBRxkWYnxXyNC3AT2EDg4VmF5Lb92syLfg9-eYWkMZG_4mjva-T9UQpRgq_fV/s1600/buxus+blls+053a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsXoysycGnOAJv66XyB9x8Z2pChhXrFtw0edEs4QnbUYxvWCFf9ka2x7Sy7uJrVA1Niocm1aZdc8pSMgxBRxkWYnxXyNC3AT2EDg4VmF5Lb92syLfg9-eYWkMZG_4mjva-T9UQpRgq_fV/s1600/buxus+blls+053a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My plan has been to create a Modern Country W</span><span style="font-size: large;">inter Garden in the first third of our outdoor space, as it's clearly visible from our house. I chose to use topiary as it'</span><span style="font-size: large;">s great for creating visual barriers but still allowing plenty of light through. Long thin gardens like ours need dividing into a series of 'rooms' and that's </span><span style="font-size: large;">what I'm creating here. At last, a beautiful</span><span style="font-size: large;"> all-season view from our kitchen window.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrtywBtLP0Ppr0adszPQw1iP7Pc4fNGudHNQWbsd1JctZ-oOblhO7sK9AcdcgxGMF66-FAIJbjDD5R1V90iWbZupc9ahW2jBq4nLR6UylHsIZ7v7AedTP2tjE1Ti6FRP_BGYh_I8l-AKB/s1600/buxus+blls+046a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrtywBtLP0Ppr0adszPQw1iP7Pc4fNGudHNQWbsd1JctZ-oOblhO7sK9AcdcgxGMF66-FAIJbjDD5R1V90iWbZupc9ahW2jBq4nLR6UylHsIZ7v7AedTP2tjE1Ti6FRP_BGYh_I8l-AKB/s1600/buxus+blls+046a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although my initial thinking was to plant my Topiary Balls, I rather like the terracotta-style plastic pots they arrived in </span><span style="font-size: large;">(I know terracotta looks great but I find that it very often cracks in very cold weather) </span><span style="font-size: large;">so I'm keeping the plants in those for now, though they'll need potting on in a couple of years to allow for growth. As long as they are kept well-</span><span style="font-size: large;">fed </span><span style="font-size: large;">and watered, they will flourish. This also gives me the opportunity to shift them around during the year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DXEbfhOwLnJLAQzgB6gkc0Nraa5rYAiV4AORQQ9A5fSH64G9yqPvvyJ5jUEu1WVzNgf4tlXWNdZ5CuxeEL1ANWgFR7W8Xb-yDIc4tCIlsQPV6AG1dbvHBRNOSPQWdxOHMJKbM9sWxlil/s1600/buxus+blls+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DXEbfhOwLnJLAQzgB6gkc0Nraa5rYAiV4AORQQ9A5fSH64G9yqPvvyJ5jUEu1WVzNgf4tlXWNdZ5CuxeEL1ANWgFR7W8Xb-yDIc4tCIlsQPV6AG1dbvHBRNOSPQWdxOHMJKbM9sWxlil/s1600/buxus+blls+060.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When choosing <a href="http://search.diy.com/search#?p=Q&lbc=diy&uid=216884905&ts=ajax&w=pots&af=type%3aproducts%20 &isort=score&method=and&view=grid&cnt=300" target="_blank">plant pots</a> for Box Balls, try choosing ones that are a slightly smaller than the diameter of the sphere for a neat Modern Country take on topiary. This is particularly effect in groupings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZ3ZUPvk4T6RIPwe5axvwGGilBckr3NGwItjlerQPuSAEDnJa7tAi72FKThZ49g8Y3O8pCceuVeJzWwS-oUuNqCMUcpYQ45iEFINYAqevSNH8P4EN66tLZ7CtU323-tl4NoZoTb6NSdyt/s1600/buxus+blls+021a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZ3ZUPvk4T6RIPwe5axvwGGilBckr3NGwItjlerQPuSAEDnJa7tAi72FKThZ49g8Y3O8pCceuVeJzWwS-oUuNqCMUcpYQ45iEFINYAqevSNH8P4EN66tLZ7CtU323-tl4NoZoTb6NSdyt/s1600/buxus+blls+021a.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to give the section that is closest to the kitchen window a bit of an oomph. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It needed more structure, a bit more Modern Country Style to underpin the summer loveliness.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NbjsbZytYMy84v18PgNGgszuicsNCsOoS6RilZ5M524RRNz9cgR8GGta7Oj8Nlk53pXEZCZIXUZg9KXHm4fDEYoIvywXAG621_IDBOYYPzQryy9SaWRL4m529i0yPToyZlcTXapf7jXJ/s1600/buxus+blls+069a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NbjsbZytYMy84v18PgNGgszuicsNCsOoS6RilZ5M524RRNz9cgR8GGta7Oj8Nlk53pXEZCZIXUZg9KXHm4fDEYoIvywXAG621_IDBOYYPzQryy9SaWRL4m529i0yPToyZlcTXapf7jXJ/s1600/buxus+blls+069a.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've moved our table and chairs outside the back door.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I've lined the four <a href="http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/grow-your-own/trees-shrubs/topiary/-specificproducttype-topiary/Box-Ball-Large-13008865?skuId=13519568" target="_blank">Box Topiary Balls </a>in a row to define the space further. I'll probably be under-planting these with a succession of lip-smackingly luscious bulbs (narcissus, tulips, alliums...?). Bulbs and topiary go together like custard and cherry pie, don't you think? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfwVm-37ZxcRdWhDFiwPdhieneW5udJ7Ry8DKyAU0ngKK4BA_H2-lCE-SwVEPPWYcmo4fUZ8LzvC65LVTVyRYFTMjcO39LiqhyphenhyphenxgGy7GKNGApXtrHQg2J9iqGtRUyYf-eyPf8fIFQZFTx/s1600/buxus+blls+007a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfwVm-37ZxcRdWhDFiwPdhieneW5udJ7Ry8DKyAU0ngKK4BA_H2-lCE-SwVEPPWYcmo4fUZ8LzvC65LVTVyRYFTMjcO39LiqhyphenhyphenxgGy7GKNGApXtrHQg2J9iqGtRUyYf-eyPf8fIFQZFTx/s1600/buxus+blls+007a.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As the mood takes me, I can switch the outer two Boxwood Balls to stand like sentinels at the rose arch, leading my eye enticingly further up the garden.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNx1QmJYXnm8TtCcKcqufexFy2BtHJQBnmuB2FHiAYya39a7OP9ytcP46MjMq2QhwR45ZxZrAQlBP_fX3ZvrtdKwsPZEwmhpXuOX8039AMuup7N94m-pbHfQuXdjIMJZBvmP_nJzx6bDNd/s1600/buxus+blls+026a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNx1QmJYXnm8TtCcKcqufexFy2BtHJQBnmuB2FHiAYya39a7OP9ytcP46MjMq2QhwR45ZxZrAQlBP_fX3ZvrtdKwsPZEwmhpXuOX8039AMuup7N94m-pbHfQuXdjIMJZBvmP_nJzx6bDNd/s1600/buxus+blls+026a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have to tell you about my experience with B&Q, when I ordered these four Box Balls from their website. They arrived super fast and I was all of an excited flutter....when disaster struck! Aaargh! I noticed that one of the plastic pots was completely split, and some of the roots of the Buxus had been exposed and damaged in transit. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB9CmHdOXrJEJOPBV_RAI26-byt36AO8HRZpiLn6prVxs8Vr4bvaqOMAWkBreD7u2gTRBMmoxf5yRooCC8ooym6C0bayLH8i1VGfmBz6muXrPY926YXBoNf_j6H1jToHrV0PzVHg6AB6u/s1600/buxus+blls+044a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB9CmHdOXrJEJOPBV_RAI26-byt36AO8HRZpiLn6prVxs8Vr4bvaqOMAWkBreD7u2gTRBMmoxf5yRooCC8ooym6C0bayLH8i1VGfmBz6muXrPY926YXBoNf_j6H1jToHrV0PzVHg6AB6u/s1600/buxus+blls+044a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I shot off an email to their customer services, and received a lovely reply apologising, along with the promise of a new topiary plant....B&Q were true to their word. A perfect replacement specimen arrived the very next day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Impressed doesn't even begin to cover it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNM7x9_ytNMOD8c6zgY-okC2SL_FH54jU0YG8wk2-FNjXaRTROJ09QzXmR07WlMeMW0OXgQ_C5w9zEc5YRl4M5NRQ_0LhP2P6dSS5tPxrG_Hhncv6DHWCK-V-LQXcVB5ygHaXNRPe5dA1/s1600/buxus+blls+070a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNM7x9_ytNMOD8c6zgY-okC2SL_FH54jU0YG8wk2-FNjXaRTROJ09QzXmR07WlMeMW0OXgQ_C5w9zEc5YRl4M5NRQ_0LhP2P6dSS5tPxrG_Hhncv6DHWCK-V-LQXcVB5ygHaXNRPe5dA1/s1600/buxus+blls+070a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Plus, our cats steer completely clear so I'm a very happy girlie indeed!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishdyCk6ObcKba86AmGFXP8ZzlWNLaNUxY1YUf5fZgrAuub43PCTanFzHQIWZaHPxWWEyGo27f0dmV6LlJVoivf2FfJI6bW-2vZuJ37vNTL_rqXDcTQ0gCMjkXzyiu81CunQfWH1y3_ZU/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqUyRhCg66gPfNQHh81rGOfvP_VywWXZqmmtMCjkwk_8h3tp2giJzjabWtNCTfsCfeGInxUcrjS5f4hN-9ni-WpudY16p2jrQvLG77TNFiylmGDVHlNlhiZJunob4YyRG5n7m46U703I/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

How To Use Topiary In A Modern Country Garden Part 2

Welcome to our Modern Country Garden!  Won't you sit down and make yourself at home? I loved our Country garden... but the bulbs and per...

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Vintage Gardens: Modern Country Style Loves

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, sunshine, how I love you. You make feel all skippity again when you peek through those pesky clouds that have been dominating of late.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglqhd5T2grn1r3m1KeRmkeyQx1NDLbcj1NsmS7EjY8yVARZH0i8yaZ__kqUC8G1RBqJiFYoUUExLTO79YN4g3W9DB9BtmYdSDU6eSDbjxPzQnr4x5pYOoIyXEEIBMYD-01IUwMSXywVqa/s1600/10-fabulous-garden-seatings-inspiring-ideas-landscape-design+(10).jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This warm weather has had our whole family dashing outside to play, sit and work in our lovely garden. I have my seeds bought and my seedlings at the ready. Are you gearing up for some planting-action too?!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://housetohome.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/96/000012364/7438_orh550w550/Pretty-country-garden-Country-Homes--Interiors.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today, I wanted to share these images of Vintage-style gardens. It's a look that's hard not to fall for: the blend of older, well-loved pieces, especially when mixed with pretty </span><span style="font-size: large;">country</span><span style="font-size: large;"> fabrics is a positively heady combination</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://media3.onsugar.com/files/2012/08/31/4/2312/23128003/503176d22424ab55_vintage_garden_decor_a.preview.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If this look is one that gets your heart beating faster then stay tuned for my review of an utterly fabulicious book coming up next on Modern Country Style! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2437/3587516393_2fa9bdd55a_z.jpg?zz=1" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ooooh, you're going to LOVE it!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1dBW0D67_xEKJuDBFnt6GjbhkHDvtVbOc97LKIXxQOBcg2TWEAphNorxwRWjsJOXqlU6tE98fQdyOj8hyphenhyphen-01Y_2l_Bm51cBJDq0E7H8f95HuZXqLjgnLdnZWgsfRXIKkd4qH8hchlzo/s640/059.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, trowels at the ready....?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishdyCk6ObcKba86AmGFXP8ZzlWNLaNUxY1YUf5fZgrAuub43PCTanFzHQIWZaHPxWWEyGo27f0dmV6LlJVoivf2FfJI6bW-2vZuJ37vNTL_rqXDcTQ0gCMjkXzyiu81CunQfWH1y3_ZU/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqUyRhCg66gPfNQHh81rGOfvP_VywWXZqmmtMCjkwk_8h3tp2giJzjabWtNCTfsCfeGInxUcrjS5f4hN-9ni-WpudY16p2jrQvLG77TNFiylmGDVHlNlhiZJunob4YyRG5n7m46U703I/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Images via: House To Home, The Master Garden Decorations, World Of Vintage Pearl, Flickr, Modern Country Style</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

Vintage Gardens: Modern Country Style Loves

Oh, sunshine, how I love you. You make feel all skippity again when you peek through those pesky clouds that have been dominating of late. T...

Read more »