Hidcote Garden

After Dover's Hill, we drove on another, oh, maybe 10 miles, to our next site, Hidcote Garden. The garden is the century-old work of one man, Major Lawrence Johnston, an American-turned-Brit, who traveled widely, both in the military and out, in search of plant species to populate his English gardens. Hidcote Garden is largely a set of outdoor "rooms" each a distinct garden. It was a sunny, warm Sunday afternoon and the place was very nearly crowded.

In the modest "museum" of Johnston's life--a garden shed

A globe showing some of his travels

Document concerning his gift of Hidcote to
the National Trust; he estimated five full-time
gardeners would be needed; the Trust in fact
employs 13 here, plus part-timers, and a small
army of devoted volunteers; it is an amazing
organization

HaHa, horse, statue 

Wildflowers in one of the forested areas

Many species we've seen before, and some we haven't

Artsy pose

One of the water rooms

Another--for us--exotic

Beauty everywhere

Tree sculpture?

In addition to the croquet, Hidcote also has a tennis court
available to visitors (this was the last day of Wimbledon)

And, not least, an award-winning loo