Monthly Archives: August 2026

I was tidying up my treasure trove of old magazines when I was distracted by the colourful  image above of an elaborate swing seat under a chinoiserie shelter. It headed an article by Michael Huey called “Garden Variety” in The … Continue reading →

In 1568 a young Flemish merchant arrived in London to seek opportunities for his family business. His father was an Antwerp-based  dealer in luxury goods, particularly diamonds,  so was wealthy enough to ensure his son was well educated. He was … Continue reading →

The Tale of King Mu, Son of Heaven is an ancient Chinese text which  was found written on strips of bamboo in a royal tomb dating to 296BC.  It tells of the travels of King Mu of Zhou, a 10thc … Continue reading →

“Botany, an elegant and interesting study, has lately become a favourite pursuit among the higher classes of the community; and the attention to forcing of plants, flowers, and fruits, for the table, has increased the demand for Horticultural Buildings of … Continue reading →

I’ve written several times before about the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire but not since 2021 so I thought it was about time for an update after this year’s visit. Chaumont  is a wonderful combination of a Renaissance chateau, full … Continue reading →