Impressions of Mottisfont

[Ragged Robin]

Oh good Jamie, I'm glad you had a look - it is grand but low key to walk round and a great collection of roses, the scent was amazing 

[Maggi Young]

Neither Ian nor I are rose fans.... they spend too much of the year being spiky sticks and the modern varieties seem to require the services os a large chemical company to maintain them.... but these complaints apart, there is no doubt that a quality rose garden in full bloom is a thing of great beauty. 
If only Fred would get the scent button  up and running!

We do have two roses in the garden, both tall types, one a lovely  himalayan white from seed collected by Alastair McKelvie... they are a delight. Pictured them on previous years, I think.

[Ragged Robin]

You absolutely hit the button Maggi - it's the scent that counts 

For me a rose scrambling into an old fruit tree is my idea of how it should be.  I would love to see your himalayan from seed...what a wonderful achievement 

[Maggi Young]

I've just realised I lied.... we've got THREE roses! One os an old climber..... not the healthiest but a pretty thing that scramlbes up over a fence and is a most effective burglar deterrent... it's the Countess of something ..... so we're not a completely rose free zone! I'll get a photo of the himalayan white later to put on the rose thread.
 edit at 13.49... just off to post the rose pix!


 PS... I meant to say that the house looks very interesting, too.... but I can see why it is tough to tear oneself away fromthe gardens to go inside!  

[Maggi Young]

Added pix to Rose thread :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5575.msg156493#msg156493 

[cohan]

the walled garden is magnificent! i'd love someone to come build a wall all around my property! great that your timing was just right for the roses

[Ragged Robin]

The walls are what make the garen for me, Cohan, old mellow brick has such wonderful colours and lichens on it and seems to work with every conceivable colour planted against it - even red!