Working on Petersham Lodge

Petersham Lodge is slightly hidden away in River Lane which I generally avoid as it's not the prettiest way to the river. I will have to amend my habits for a while to see what the scaffolding is up for.

POG2016: Petersham Lodge

Petersham Lodge is always one of the highlights of Petersham Open Gardens because there is so much to see there and this year was no exception.

The biggest change was the secluded garden next to the house which had been completely redesigned and replanted. The garden was so new that we were not allowed into it and had to be content with looking into it from one of the two entrances. It will be something to look forward to in two years time.

Petersham Lodge in Petersham Open Gardens 2014

Petersham Lodge is probably the garden that most people wanted to see in Petersham Open Gardens 2014 and I spent quite a bit of time there even though I had seen it several times before.

Of course the lake was the main feature and I have always loved it and the little bridge that crosses one corner of it.

The most popular view though is this one back towards the house.

The duck houses were new to me this year and I thought that they were very pretty. I also liked the way that they were painted in the same colour as the bridge.

Other work had been done around the lake. In particular the area where the water tickles in to the lake had matured nicely to hide the man-made elements.

After the lake, my favourite parts of the garden are the wildernesses that separate the formal parts of the garden. Smaller paths sneak through these areas and even in  garden full of people it is easy to hide.

Perhaps it was the time of year that the garden was open or perhaps the mild Winter brought the flowers out early but there were only a few patches of colour and the borders next to the house were not as exciting as in previous years.

The neatly clipped hedge had fared better and the little formal garden to the side of the house looked good in the bright sun.

My final picture in this selection from the many that I took is of another part of the wilderness. This time it was at the north end of the garden where the vegetables were. Again a semi-hidden object adds a further touch of interest.

It was a shame that the flowers did not play their full part on the day but there was still so much to see and enjoy at Petersham Lodge.

Petersham Lodge with flowers

My final look at the garden at Petersham Lodge (for the time-being) tries to show how well the flowers sit with the house. This is such a busy picture with the house, its windows, climbing plants, terrace, tables and chairs, hedges, pedestal and lots and lots of flowers.

Despite this apparent clutter the overall impression is one of peace and harmony. This is a place that you want to sit out in to enjoy the sunshine and appreciate the garden.

Plants and pots

The garden at Petersham Lodge creeps right up to the house filling in a few small gaps between the paving stones and some pots resting on them.

Mixed border

Obviously one of the main points of events like Petersham Open Gardens 2012 is to enjoy the Spring flowers and they were on good form at Petersham Lodge where they vied for attention in one of the flower beds next to the house.The subtle mix of colours and shapes of both the flowers and the leaves is simply gorgeous.

Petersham Lodge from the garden

The main view of the house from the garden is across the pond but I think I prefer this view from the depths of the woods where the bluebells are enjoying their time in the sun.

Pond and bridge

All the paths in the garden at Petersham Lodge lead to the pond, and rightly so because it is the main feature of the garden and it offers superb views, especially looking back to the house from the Greco-Roman folly at the far end of the pond.From there, turning your gaze slightly to the right brings the jolly bridge in to view.

Wilderness at Petersham Lodge

Amid the formal borders and neat hedges there is still plenty of space at Petersham Lodge for a bit of wilderness. It is this variety and space that makes walking around the garden there such a joy, and why it takes so long.

Nursery at Petersham Lodge

Having shown a couple of close-ups of the nursery corner at Petersham Lodge it is now time to step back and look at the wider picture. The time hedges and colourful flowers are testament to the garden's beauty and the greenhouses at the back confirm that serious work is done here too.

Upright flowers

Another look at the nursery garden at Petersham Lodge just because it is pretty. I also like the rustic fence and glimpses it give you of the orchard behind.

A barrow of flowers

There is so much to admire in the garden at Petersham Lodge that it is always difficult to pick just one or two to post here. so this year I'll post several, starting with this one.

The north-east corner of the expansive garden is the working part with cold frames, vegetables and compost. There are also a few flower beds that I suspect are there to provide flowers for the house rather than for their own beauty but they are beautiful and are presented beautifully.

Petersham Lodge

When exploring the large and varied garden of Petersham Lodge it is easy to overlook the house itself, but that would be a mistake as its classical proportions, regimented windows, bright finish and Spring greenery make the house rather exceptional.

Pond at Petersham Lodge

Petersham Lodge is one of the best houses locally and is blessed with one of the very best gardens. It has wild bits, formal bits, flowery bits, vegetably bits, hedgey bits and lawny bits but pride of place goes to the large pond that sits gently between the end wall and the large lawn.

Taking one of the many paths through the wild parts either side of the pond takes you to a Romanesque folly where you can sit and look back towards the house. And with a view like that it is something that you would want to do quite often.

Bridge

One of the distinctive and delightful features of the large and mixed garden at Petersham Lodge is this subtle and subdued bridge over the pond.

Flowers at Petersham Lodge

Petersham Lodge is to be thanked for opening it's garden for public inspection for a few days every year as it is packed with goodies like this stone planter bursting with colour as it brazenly fights for attention in a garden rich with visual treats.

Petersham Lodge

Walking around the gardens also gives you the opportunity to look at the houses and this is Petersham Lodge (#8).

Gates to Petersham Lodge

Deep in Petersham Lodge Woods is this magnificent gate to Petersham Lodge. It's worth the detour to see them.

Petersham Lodge

One of the more impressive gates in Ham can be found at Petersham Lodge in River Lane.