Tag Archives: parterre

The Crystal Palace of Paris

Posted on 17/10/2020 by The Garden History Blog

Last week’s post looked at the background to the 1867 Paris Universal Exhibition, and in particular at its parkland setting. It was the first world fair to give horticulture a major role with one section of the park covering about … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged aquarium, aquatic garden, aviary, Bandstand, cacti, cascade, conservatory, France, garden buildings, Garden tools, greenhouse, grotto, International Exhibition, kiosk, paris, parterre, rock garden, William Robinson, winter garden | 1 Comment

Kensington goes Italian

Posted on 19/09/2020 by The Garden History Blog

Last week I wrote the background story of the Royal Horticultural Society’s magnificent but short-lived gardens in South Kensington, and today I want to follow up with an account of the gardens themselves designed by William Andrews Nesfield. When I sat … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged charles barry, conservatory, Deepdene, fountain, Great exhibition, Italianate garden, kensington, parterre, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria, Royal Horticultural Society, william nesfield, winter garden | Leave a comment

The Eighth Wonder of the World?

Posted on 28/09/2019 by The Garden History Blog

Last week’s post was about Salomon de Caus’s career in England. It ended when James I’s daughter, Princess Elizabeth, who de Caus was tutoring, married Frederick, the Elector Palatine in 1613 and moved to Heidelberg. This might have been a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged de caus, Heidelburg, Hortus Palatinus, John Claudius Loudon, muses, orangery, parterre, pomona, statues, terraces, vertumnus | Leave a comment

Mrs Delany’s Petticoat

Posted on 07/07/2018 by The Garden History Blog

I write about all sorts of strange things on this blog but can’t think of much more obscure than this week’s starting point which is a Georgian firescreen which turns out not to be just a firescreen but part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged auricula, botanical art, Chinoiserie, embroidery, fashion, flowers, geranium, honeysuckle, Mrs Delany, parterre, Roses, ruins, William Kent | 1 Comment

Houghton

Posted on 23/06/2018 by The Garden History Blog

I visited Houghton recently. It’s a vast early 18thc landscape park in rural west Norfolk surrounding a Grade 1 listed Palladian house built for Sir Robert Walpole, who was effectively Britain’s first Prime Minister. I’ve wanted to go there for a … Continue reading →