Light

IT is amazing to think about how light illuminates a flower in the garden.

Gardens

"All gardens, if they can be described as such, have ultimately to do with the desire of their maker to control their surroundings." Jane Brown

Digitalis " Foxglove"

Foxglove(digitalis) is a bienneial plant with soft, hairy, toothed, ovate and lance-shaped leaves that cascade in a basal rosette. The life span of the plant covers 2 seasons. The first year growth remains in the form of a basal rosette of leaves. Second year of growth produces flowering stems and can grow up to three to six feet in height. It's flower spikes have purple to white spotted thimble-like flowers which hang down and last approximately six days. The earliest known name for the biannual is the Anglo-Saxon "foxes glofa" (the glove of the fox). It derives its name from the flowers which resemble the fingers of a glove and possibly from a northern legend that bad fairies gave the blossoms to the fox to put on his toes, so that he might soften his tread while he hunted for prey. Digitalis is a poisonous plant. The foxgloves weeping petals endorse a softness that rises up with enchantment in the country garden.

Chelsea Flower Show!!

"To Gertrude Jekyll is due not only the complete transformation of horticultural design, but also that wide diffusion of knowledge and taste that has made us almost a nation of gardeners ".

Friends,
I dabbed into the beginning of this e-mail on Tuesday night!!

It is late, and I can't sleep. I am thrilled to pieces about today! It was one of the best days of my life. I was asked about 10 times by different English women… Are you a keen gardener? I spent the day in Surrey, where the film "The Holiday" was set. I went on a private garden tour of Gertrude Jekyll's Gardens at Munstead, Millmead, Thunder house and the Stables. I can't even begin to tell how amazed I was at the planting schemes. I just could not believe the houses that Jekyll's companion Edwin Lutyn made for Jekyll. There are not words to tell you how awe inspiring it was. I also visited Loseley Park. That was also fantastic!!! There were loads of wisteria and iris plantings in Loseley's gardens. I think I am in heaven!!! Jekell's gardens were a delight!! She was a woman that wore trousers when women only wore dresses. She started her own landscape business at a time when such a thing was not applauded. I was grateful to have had the opportunity to see some of her work. I also had the chance to see a 14th century barn and it was a masterpiece.

This week was the celebrated Chelsea Flower Show in London. I attended the show on Wednesday, with Christopher from my course. We had a blast critiquing the designs. There was a lack of brilliance in color this year. The Gardens were filled with loads of white and green. I rather liked it! I gathered resources and also checked out the fresh floral designs!!! It was a great day!!

It is poppy time. This flower is fabricating its fanlike petals with rich deep color!!! Have a wonderful week!

With enthusiasm,

Emily

Love Forever, Eat For Fun, Live For Now!!!!

The Veil of the White Horses

“I wonder does anybody do anything in Oxford but dream and remember, the place is so beautiful. One almost expects the people to sing instead of speaking. It is like an opera,” William Butler Yeats (given to me from Carmel)

Hello Friends,
It has been a good long month since my last e-mail. I hope that spring has found you wherever you may be. I can hardly believe that I only have two more months left here in England. Leaves have unfolded and the elegant peonies (my favorite flower) are in full bloom. I have had garden law classes, photography classes, business classes, tennis court building construction and so much more. It has been overwhelming. I am in the middle of studying for a big final on the 28th of May. I then have a large presentation on the 20th of June. I will then be traveling and discovering what I have missed while I have been in the books!! I am going to Chaumont and Giverny the first weekend in June.

England is magnificent!!! It is humid and warm, the Dick’s invited Tarryn and I on a picnic near Castle Clout called,” The veil of the white horses” in a place called Wantage. The Rapeseed has now covered the farmer’s fields with blankets of yellow. The woods too have been rendered with carpets of blue from the dainty, fragile, blue bells, and May is out, with the Hawthorn trees in white splendor. The city has blossomed with tourists and I am in awe of everything I see. I can hardly believe the sizes of plants and how they grow in their natural habitat. Last week I went to the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden designed by Anthony Paul. Wow, What an amazing Contemporary garden. Follow the link below and watch the video. The sound is exactly what is really sounds and looks like!!! Anthony Paul Has explored using broad-leafed plants and mature trees to enhance his amazing garden. It is a hidden gem! www.hannahpecharsculpture.com
I have taken a few Floral Design Classes in London with Jane Packard and plan to take another design class from Paula Pryke. Both are well known international designers that have a style I have always admired!!! I just can’t get floral design out from under my skin. I have also had a local designer ask for my help to do some weddings at Blenheim Palace!!! It won’t be until after my course work is done!! School is hard enough on it’s own!!! I was also asked to go to Ascot. Have any of you been? I would love to hear more about it. I just remember how handsome the men were in their seersucker suits and straw hats in My Fair lady!!! Life is full!!! I will have to save the rest for next week!!! Keep in touch!!
Love
Em
You grow up the day you have your first real laugh - at yourself. 
~Edith Barrymore~