View across the Four-Square Garden near the house.

Kiftsgate Court Gardens, The Cotswolds, England

The Lower Garden at Kiftsgate Court Garden with view out over the moon-shaped pool - to the Malvern Hills in the distance.
The Lower Garden at Kiftsgate Court Garden with view out over the moon-shaped pool – to the Malvern Hills in the distance.

Perched on the edge of the Cotswold hils, overlooking the Vale of Evesham and the Malvern Hills beyond sits Kiftsgate Court Gardens. Kiftsgate has been home to four generations of gardeners. The first three gardener/owners were women.

Signature Colors at Kiftsgate

The view across the Four-Square Garden towards the house.
The view across the Four-Square Garden towards the house.
Kiftsgate Court terrace showing the color of the local limestone and potted geraniums and other plants.
Kiftsgate Court terrace showing the color of the local limestone and potted geraniums and other plants.

The initial impression of the garden is not of an outward looking vista garden but instead the visitor is focused inwards to a series of garden spaces that are interconnected yet separated from one another.

The White Sunk Garden (Number 3 on the Garden Map below) with central puntain and pool surrounded by French-blue furniture and silvery plants.
The White Sunk Garden (Number 3 on the Garden Map below) with central puntain and pool surrounded by French-blue furniture and silvery plants.

The iconic sunken garden has a central fountain and octagonal pool that is an intimate gathering spot. This garden and other areas around the house contain outdoor furniture, and garden doors painted in a light colored, French blue that is a signature hue for Kiftsgate.

The plantings in the sunken area lean towards a silvery light green that harmonizes well with the honeyed color of the local Cotswold limestone. The flower color accents in this garden and the adjacent grass-pathed garden walk are pink, white with some blue.

Lovely limestone walls and French blue door
Lovely limestone walls and French blue door
The peonies were in full bloom on the day of my visit in late May - this one is probably 'Bowl of Beauty'
The peonies were in full bloom on the day of my visit in late May – this one is probably ‘Bowl of Beauty’

Roses, Peonies and Astrantia

With my love of pink flowers I really enjoyed Kiftsgate Court Gardens at this time of year (end of May). There were lovely pink peonies, pink and white roses, and the unusual prickly-looking Astrantia – that is grown often in England but rarely in Eastern USA. Below are a few of my favorites.

Kiftsagte has its own Kiftsgate Rose – that is an enormous plant. Unfortunately I was too early in the year to see it bloom but these are some that were in bloom the day I was visiting. Here is the link to the Kiftsgate Court Website and their page about this incredible rose.

http://kiftsgate.co.uk/kiftsgate-rose-1

The view back to the house along the Rose Border (Number 5 on the garden map)
The view back to the house along the Rose Border (Number 5 on the garden map)

The long rose border leads the visitor along the brow of the hill. I love this view back towards the house. The Kiftsgate rose takes up all the space on the left of this garden. (Number 5 on the garden map below)

Shade-loving Astrantia plants bear prickly-looking - but actually relatively soft - flowers in late spring through to summer.
Shade-loving Astrantia plants bear prickly-looking – but actually relatively soft – flowers in late spring through to summer.
Roses trained on canes underplanted with Astrantia plants that relish the shady position beneath the rose.
Roses trained on canes underplanted with Astrantia plants that relish the shady position beneath the rose.
The single rose called 'White Wings' has large - almost floppy - petals and a dark center.
The single rose called ‘White Wings’ has large – almost floppy – petals and a dark center.
A rather strange little bloom on this old-fashioned climbing rose - its name is 'Pompom de Paris'.
A rather strange little bloom on this old-fashioned climbing rose – its name is ‘Pompom de Paris’.
The classic David Austin Rose called 'Mary Rose' is always pretty in pink and deliciously fragrant too.
The classic David Austin Rose called ‘Mary Rose’ is always pretty in pink and deliciously fragrant too.
The rose bushes are trained out sideways so that there are lots of flowers. Rose bushes break flower buds along the top of their branches. If they are left to grow tall they flower most at the top.
The rose bushes are trained out sideways so that there are lots of flowers. Rose bushes break flower buds along the top of their branches. If they are left to grow tall they flower most at the top.

Hide and Reveal – Different Garden Areas

As you can see from the Garden Map seen below, there are numerous garden areas. Each area is tucked away from the others by hedges, walls, and gates. Walking around the garden becomes a voyage of discovery. In the photos below I will show you some of the many garden areas.

Garden Map of Kiftsgate Court Gardens in the Cotswolds, England showing the many garden rooms or areas.
Garden Map of Kiftsgate Court Gardens in the Cotswolds, England.
This little mini-meadow is called the Wild Garden - Marked number 7 on the map. The tiny red tulips are called Tulipa sprengeri - they are one of my favorites. Late blooming - and that touch of red adds so much to the overall picture.
This little mini-meadow is called the Wild Garden – Marked number 7 on the map. The tiny red tulips are called Tulipa sprengeri – they are one of my favorites. Late blooming – and that touch of red adds so much to the overall picture.
In complete contrast to the plat-full areas of the garden - there are contemplative, simple spaces like this rectangular pool - Marked Number 9 on the map - Water Garden.
In complete contrast to the plat-full areas of the garden – there are contemplative, simple spaces like this rectangular pool – Marked Number 9 on the map – Water Garden.
The Lower Garden is accessed by a steeply sloped garden path. The views are amazing (Number 7 on the map).
The Lower Garden is accessed by a steeply sloped garden path. The views are amazing (Number 7 on the map).

I hope that you have enjoyed my views of Kiftsgate Court. Next month (Part 3 of the English Gardens series) I will show you Kelmscott Manor near Oxford that was the home of Arts and Crafts icons William Morris, his wife Jane, and their daughters Jenny and May.

Jenny Rose Carey’s New Bulb Book – The Essential Guide to Bulbs

One final note. I am pleased to announce that my new bulb book will be published by Timber Press in mid October. I am booking lectures now for the coming year. Please contact me though my website if you would like an in-person or zoom lecture. Bulbs are such a great addition to in-ground plantings and container gardens. There is something for every gardener.

Contact

The title is ‘The Essential Guide to Bulbs’ and the book includes bulbs throughout the year from Snowdrops to Dahlias.

Jenny Rose Carey holding her new Bulb Book - 'The Essential Guide to Bulbs'
Jenny Rose Carey holding her new Bulb Book – ‘The Essential Guide to Bulbs’

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jenny-rose-carey/the-essential-guide-to-bulbs/9781643263243/?lens=timber-press

This is the link to Hachette Publishing. (Timber Press is part of this group). You can buy the book here or a signed copy on my website.

The Essential Guide to Bulbs Signed Copy

Bye for now Gardening Friends – Enjoy the rest of your Summer. Cheers, Jenny Rose Carey

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