Fitting in

I have recently made some derogatory comments about one new wall in Petersham Road for not following the style of the street and I thought that I would balance it with one that has.

This wall is clearly brand new so the colour does not yet match the weathered brick of the rest of the street but the semi-circular shapes are exactly right.

Petersham House, 143 Petersham Road

My flimsy excuse for not posting a picture of this neat little sign before is that I assumed that I had already done so. There was some doubt in my mind so I took a picture of it anyway and a simple search showed that it had not been included before. Now it has.

Petersham House in Petersham Open Gardens 2014

Petersham House is not one of my favourite gardens but I keep going to it anyway and I was there again for Petersham Open Gardens 2014.

It is a garden in three parts and the main reason for visiting it is to see the long border that runs away from the house and past the nurseries which are behind the hedge on the right. Unfortunately the path goes nowhere and having reached the far end there is nothing to do but turn round and go back.

The large lawn at the back of the house is enclosed by the tall brick walls that are a major feature in that area, notably at Ham House and the walls that surround it. The wall furthest from the house has another larger border but this one is divided in to segments by hedges.

These borders have substantial and varied plants that could almost convince you that they are not planned and managed.

Looking across the lawn puts it in context with the house and also shows why I think that the garden could do a little more. The hedges are nice but the lawn lacks focus. It is about the only garden like this that does not have at least a pond.

The kitchen gardens lies beyond the hedge at the back of the previous photo and while its purpose is to be productive I also find it attractive, mainly because it is full of odd things that looks as though they have been heavily used.

Also in that part of the garden is a large chicken-run with a neat if uneven roof, the colour of which contrasts cutely with the sprinkling of red flowers.

Petersham House and topiary

Petersham House, like many other former hunting lodges locally, is a solid slab of brick riddled with white Georgian windows. It is no better than its neighbours, and is less interesting than some, yet it holds its own in a strong peer group.

The lawn next to the house may be a little to big for my liking. It is rescued from mediocrity through regularly planted bushes that have been teased in to geometric shapes.

Silent statue

The garden at Petersham House is fairly traditional with a large lawn leading to a formal border against a high wall with a few sculptured bushes, mature trees and aged but still interesting garden furniture to add some further interest.

There is also a statue of a man standing quietly in one corner trying hard not to draw attention to himself while he keeps a keen eye on the house. There is a sense of purpose in his gaze that we can only wonder about.

Petersham House and garden room

The garden room at Petersham House is blatantly modern and its aged pretensions fool nobody, but it works very well despite all that.

Vegetable garden at Petersham House

The vegetable garden at Petersham House has much to recommend it, including the brick wall and path, the large pots and the clutter of tools, canes and sheds that show you that this is very much a working garden.

Rutland Lodge from Petersham House

The rear garden at Petersham House is an odd shape due to the acquisition and disposal of plots of land over many years and the creation of Petersham Nurseries. Part of the garden, mostly dedicated to vegetables, stretches all the way back to Rutland Lodge.

Walled border at Petersham House

The rear border at Petersham House is divided into sections each is planted slightly differently but all benefit from facing almost due South and from being protected by the comforting and pleasing wall.

Long border at Petersham House

The most attractive feature of the garden at Petersham House is the long border that leads off the main lawn, starts with a grand gate and leads to a seat with a superb view all the way back to the house.

Gate at Petersham House

The top of the gate to the long border in the rear garden of Petersham House harks back to an age when this was an important gateway passed through on the start of great journeys.

Petersham House

Petersham House looks like several of its neighbours but there is nothing wrong with that when you have retained most of your Georgian features and proportions. The first floor balcony may be a little fussy but it is fairly unobtrusive and so is easily forgiven.