Biddulph Grange


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In 1994 and 1996 I visited Biddulph Grange in Staffordshire where I took these pictures. The garden is something special, so full of fantasy and surprises and outstanding plants in picturesque settings. It's truly Victorian in that sense; it's also a proof of the very industrious  people of that time, taking in the new time's gifts  from all over the world. Nevertheless it's called an "unvictorian garden" !

I have chosen "The Stumpery" as the part which especially took my fancy with the peculiar mood it radiated. And the lot of small interesting plants hiding in the crevices of the stumps. The owner, Mr Bateman, was a great admirer of ferns,which come to their right here and also in "The Glen". Of course the "China"  garden was also overwhelmingly full of interesting details. In 1988 the National Trust acquired Biddulph  and started a praiseworthy restoration of the neglected garden. Take a day out and enjoy yourself, if you haven't been there before, perhaps living in a different part of the country!

1

The Rhododendron Ground

2

The Italian Garden down to the Rhododendron Ground

3

The Cosmic Tree as an inverted tree with its roots in heaven, growing downward toward the earth.

4

 The Stumpery

 

5

The Stumpery

6

The Stumpery

7

In The Glen: Geranium 'Ann Folkard'

8

One of the gateways leading into "China"

9

The Chinese temple

10

The footbridge and in the background the Joss House ( a temple)

11

The gateway into the The dragon parterre

12

The dragon parterre with The water buffalo, the animal symbol for the moon.

13

"Egypt" with sphinxes and yew topiary forming pyramids


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Last update : 7 February 2002

by Vera Gade, Sweden

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