Kiftsgate Court Gardens: celebrating three generations of women gardeners
On April 23rd the Garden Museum in Lambeth held an evening called “In Conversation – Kiftsgate Gardens”. Very rarely do the owners of Kiftsgate speak in public, so keen horticulturists seized the opportunity to quiz them on their immense gardening knowledge, as well as discover the fascinating history of the garden. Kiftsgate Court Gardens is found in the heart of the
Cotswolds.With its honeyed Cotswold stone and Palladian archi- tecture overlooking the Vale of Evesham, it has a timeless quality to it. One of the interesting aspects of Kiftsgate is that is has been created by three very independent-minded women over three generations, each with their own vision and style. As such, the garden has evolved and changed over time as each woman has taken over and added their signature to the garden. Who are these three women of Kiftsgate? Te first is Heather
Muir, who established the garden during the 1920s and 1930s a time when gardening was at some of its most creative. With the likes of Vita Sackville-West, Daisy Lloyd and her friend Lawrence Johnston (who created Hidcote Gardens, which is directly oppo- site Kiftsgate and is now a National Trust Garden), they all cre- ated outstanding gardens that have stood the test of time. Heather started with an almost blank canvas to create her mas-
terpiece, at first glance what she created looks typically English, with its rose border, bluebell wood and clipped hedges. Te top part of the garden is level and boasts wide borders, a sunken white garden and an Italian-style four square garden. It then, however, drops down a dramatically steep slope to a lower gar- den. Making the most of this steep bank, Heather created nar- row, winding paths and steps planting a range of Mediterranean
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Book launch at Garden Museum Lambeth
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