A Visit With the 'Queen'
Since England is known for its Royalty and
gardens, Rosemary Verey should be crowned as
present-day'Queen of Gardening.’ Verey is an
internationally reknowned plant-woman and garden
designer. She has designed a wide range of gardens
for clients and friends including H.R.H. the Prince
of Wales. She is one of the most highly regarded
garden writers, has written many of her own books,
is featured internationally in many other books and
magazines, and gives lectures on gardening in
England and abroad. The subject of her writings and
lectures is based on knowledge acquired during 37 or
more years creating her own garden at Barnsley
House. Her garden attracts thousands of visitors
from all over the world every year. Many re-visit
each season, as Verey has designed it to be of
interest throughout all seasons.
History of Barnsley House
The three-story William and Mary style
Cotswold stone house was built in 1697, in an area
known as Barnsley Park. In about 1700, tall stone
walls were added to three sides of the garden. In the
1800’s, a shelter of belt trees - sycamore, Turkey
Oak, copper beech, chestnut and yew - were planted
that act as an effective windbreak from west winds.
Barnsley House had been used as a rectory until
1932 when Rosemary's in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil
Verey, bought it for their retirement home. In 1951
Rosemary and her husband inherited the property.
Some of the gardens were still intact, a few of the
trees planted so long ago were still living. The stone
walls and belt of trees remained as the essential
elelments as to the character of the garden. There
were three terraces and retaining walls. In 1961 the
middle retaining wall collapsed. Rosemary’s
husband invited a garden designer to visit them for
advice as to changing different parts of the garden.
Rosemary, wanting to make her own decisions as to
changes and additions, became more active. Her son
made her a member of the Royal Horticultural
Society, her daughter gave her a garden book which
Rosemary used to note all the trees and plants that
were growing in the garden.
Her husband had been given a gift in 1962 ot
a stone temple, which was brought to them in a
lorry, each stone carefully numbered. David chose
the setting, placing it at the end of a pool they had
installed in 1954. The pool and the re-structured
temple were the same width. Later he placed trees on
either side of the pool to anchor it, and with the help
of one of the kind gardeners and an ancient tractor
trailer, they picked up a load of well-weathered flat
stone to lay around the pool. The temple became the
most important feature of the garden. Y ears later on
the opposite side of the garden from the temple
Rosemary installed another small pool using stone
frogs as fountains. These pools are connected by a
long grass walk.
More walks evolved slowly, each one
happening for different reasons and at separate times.
Another connecting walk is lined with trees. At one
end are Liden trees which are pruned to create dense
compact crowns. These trees are underplanted with
seasonal Bowers. The trees bloom in July and are
highly fragrant. At the end of this paved walk the
trees are Laburnum trees (Golden Chain). Wisteria
has also been planted to climb the trunks of the
Laburnum. Both are pruned to form a canopy over
the walk. In the spring when they bloom, their
elongated chains of gold and lavender flowers hang
thickly to form a dense, fragrant tunnel. In Verey s
book, Making a Garden, there is a picture of these
trees covered with snow after a winter storm. Their
branches form many patterns silhouetted against a
clear blue sky. Other paths are lined with flowers in
all colors. She calls these paths her ribbon paths.
Throughout the years Verey has added a knot
garden. Taken from Stephen Blake's The Complete
Gardener’s Practice, she chose the pattern,True
Lover's Knot.' At each comer of the paired
boxwood design are four ‘Golden King’ holly
trees pruned to form double tiers. The heart of the
garden is four-foot wide perennial beds on each side
of the lawn. She changed an ordinary vegetable
patch into a decorative potager. The best translation
of word would be that fruits, herbs and Bowers are
added to the he vegetable patch, paying heed in
regard to pattern, texture and color combinations.
Pathways are designed to divide patterned geometric
shaped beds where Bowers and fruit grow together.
Examples in Vesey's garden are: bright green leaf
lettuce underplanted with pale yellow tulips; blue
violas are left to re-seed and bloom with dark-leafed
lettuce and strawberries. Apple trees planted in the
center of each; patterned beds are shaped in round
forms, underplanted with rows of seasonal cabbage,
leeks, and parsley. Each bed is bordered with
lavender or boxwood, some others in herbs such as
low growing oregano or thyme. An arbor is covered
with nasturtiums and golden hop. SunBowers
planted to the side of the arbor grow through the
vines to peer over the top. The heads of the
sunBowers lie above the hops and when the seeds
arc ripe Bocks of birds feed on them. Most of the
paths are kept clear, but the path under the arbor is
narrowed by the growth of nasturtiums, feverfew,
bolted dark-leafed lettuce, and calendula.
In 1988, when her son inherited Barnsley
House, Rosemary, then living alone, moved to the
Close, a converted stable block that is on the same
property. She had a space paved for a courtyard at
its entrance. Her son built her a conservatory that
was added to her new home. The conservatory is
used from February to Apnl to plant hundreds of
seeds, both vegetables and.Bowers, which are used
to plant throughout the large garden or sold in plant
sales on the days the garden is open to visitors.
Cuttings from other plant material are also available
for sale.
Rosemary conducted our tour of her garden,
and I was taken with the enthusiasm she showed
explaining each part of it. Even though she does
have help —her son, and four other gardeners - she
still helps weed and plant and is active in all the
decisions made of new plants to add.
When I selected one of her books to buy,
titled, Rosemary Verev's Making a Garden, I asked
if she had any seeds of rose Bowered lunaria which
I'd seen blooming throughout her garden. She said,
"In the fall send me a self-addressed envelope with a
letter indicating what seeds you want. I'll be glad to
send you some." When 1 told her I have a lavender
and white lunaria growing in my garden, she said,
"Let's do an exchange. You send me some of your
seeds. I'd like some from your garden." She gave
me her address.
In the book I bought from her she wrote,
"For June, my good wishes, Rosemary Verey." I'm
going to add ‘ Queen’ to her name.
** Parts of this article have been taken from
Rosemary Verev’s Making a Garden,.
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