• Who We Are
    • About Andrea
    • Philosophy
    • FAQ’s
    • Press
  • Portfolio
    • Cambridge Master Plan
    • Watertown Master Plan
    • Westport Retreat
    • Wellesley Master Plan
    • Boston Roofdeck
    • Brookline Residence
    • Charlestown Residence
    • Lexington New Construction
  • Services
  • Blog
  • Contact

Art Inspired Gardens – The Red Borders at Hidcote

Feb, 2014
by Andrea Nilsen Morse
Comments are off

I hade the opportunity last week to hear Glyn Jones, Garden and Countryside Manager at Hidcote Manor Garden, talk at a conference here in Boston.  Hidcote is a very famous garden in Glouchestershire England.  Created by Lawrence Johnston (an American!) the garden is known for its different outdoor rooms, perfectly pruned hedges, and arts and crafts style.  I haven’t been to Hidcote, but it is now on my list of gardens to visit.

Throughout the talk Glyn presented gorgeous photos of the garden, and information on its history and restoration.  One of the topics I found most interesting was the concept behind the garden area known as the “Red Borders”.

The painting Madame Suggia by Augustus John served as the inspiration for the plant design, where the folds of the cellist’s dress display a spectrum of different red tones, from bright crimson to dark cherry.  When the gardeners at Hidcote planted (or now maintain) the Red Borders, they literally reference this painting when selecting plants, to keep the color palette true to the inspiration (Glyn said he keeps a copy of the photo on his iPhone for quick reference when plant shopping).

In the book Best Borders, Tony Lord describes the borders as “lying along the main axis of the garden… the Red Borders are processional, a long gallery connecting the other rooms, meant to be walked through and not a place to stop and rest.  Johnston’s choice of flower color reflects this character, exhilarating, uplifting, but far from restful.” I think that red, as a color in the landscape, is one of the most unusual and energizing.  From a fiery red sunset to fall foliage, it is hard not to notice this color.

Above photos of the Red Borders from Lord’s book Best Borders.
What I loved about this portion of Glyn’s talk was how a piece of fine art was used as inspiration for garden art.  This concept is something I wrote about in 2012 after reading the book The Artful Garden.  The author, James van Sweden,  offers examples of garden designers who have been inspired by everything from fine art, to music, to dance.  
I think it is a great approach to design, to have a clear inspiration and reference, and I definitely hope to get to England at some point to see this famous planting in person. 
Social Share
  • google-share

Search


Share This Post

Recent Posts

  • “Ultimate Grey” and “Illuminating” are the Colors of the Year for 2021
  • Four Things I Learned This Year – From My Clients!
  • Choosing Bulbs For Your Spring Garden
  • An Easy Trio of Drought Tolerant Plants
  • Rhododendrons for Privacy, Shade and Foundation Beds

Categories

  • Garden
  • Home
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Uncategorized

© 2023 Nilsen Landscape Design, LLC | Boston, MA |

|

Sign up for our newsletter to
receive the latest updates in your inbox.

|