Festive Feature Idea

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I spent last Saturday in a beautiful garden at the home of Cynthia and John Ramsden on the edge of the Peak District National Park – Fanshawe Gate Hall.
The property is over 700 years old and the garden has been redesigned over the past decade to reflect the Tudor era. Each year, Cynthia and her team of designers, builders, gardeners, artists, volunteers, and visitors spend the spring prepping the property for open days. Since 2005, they have raised over £30,000 benefiting the National Garden Scheme’s charities.
The property is truly stunning and while meandering around the grounds, I came across a fantastic Christmas Feature easily doable in your own garden.
Cynthia found a box of discarded chandelier pieces leftover from a car boot sale find. Having no use for them and needing to tidy up the attic, she had the idea to hang them off the focal topiary tree residing at the front of the hall. The idea is simple but quite effective in that the crystal pieces catch the sun’s rays and cast rainbows across the garden all day.
I have attached a photo of Cynthia and I touring the grounds and several of the adorned topiary. The Hall has a long history and I encourage you to visit the website to view this little slice of gardening heaven: http://www.fanshawegate.com/topiary.html
In September of this year, Cynthia published her second book, Garden Tales, which chronicles the pleasures – and occasional pains – of opening a garden to the public. The book is a delightful afternoon read and I have purchased a copy as a Christmas gift for my garden-loving mum.
Cheers,
Nonie

• 16 Nov, 2009
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