Leonardslee Gardens, West Sussex, UK | Landscape garden view through masses of flowering azaleas and rhododendrons (13 of 19)
Image by ukgardenphotos
Leonardslee Gardens: Landscape Garden and lake views
For a few weeks in May of each year, Leonardslee Gardens in West Sussex, UK, erupt into a spectacular display of the most amazing color combinations of flowering rhododendrons and azaleas. The green, wooded valley gardens then turn into a place of vibrant colors and outstanding natural beauty. Filled with the scent of the massed azalea plantings the whole area becomes a forest paradise. Visitors have often described its awesome natural colors, beauty and tranquility as being like ‘heaven on earth’.
This cheerful photograph was taken around midday and depicts the view over the landscape at Leonardslee gardens with rhododendrons and azaleas in their full glory.
For many years, tens of thousands of visitors have enjoyed the ‘picture postcard’ qualities of this Grade 1 historic garden. Unfortunately, the gardens are now closed to the public as they have been sold to an international businessman.
Details: Leonardslee Gardens is a truly outstanding English landscape garden having a Grade 1 Historic Garden status (English Heritage Register). It covers about 240 acres (97 Hectares) in a wooded valley, contains seven lakes and is extensively planted with azaleas, ancient rhododendrons (some well over 100 years old), acers and camellias - all with a delightful under planting of bluebells in spring.
The great Victorian plant collector, Sir Edmund Loder (who gave his name to the large flowered and scented Loderi Rhododendron Hybrids) purchased the estate in 1889 and planted large numbers of Rhododendrons there. Sir Giles Loder later planted an extensive collection of camellias at Leonardslee. The estate remained in the hands of five generations of the Loder family until 2010 when it was sold to an international businessman. However, the Loder Rhododendron nursery was not sold and is still in business.
Location: Leonardslee Gardens, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex, England, RH13 6PP, UK. UK Map references: OSGB36 Grid ref:: TQ220259: Map tile ref: TQ22NW40
Links: A more detailed history of Leonardslee Gardens is available on Wikipedia. Leonardslee nursery is still run by Chris Loder and his website contains useful information on Rhododendron Loderi, its varieties and hybrids.
© 2011 ukgardenphotos
Thoughts of Spring
Image by Michael Taggart Photography
I don’t do ethereal very well. I certainly appreciate it when someone can create wispy floating memories but my work usually tends to saturated, sharp, focused images. That’s why I’m very happy this went more towards the light misty side.
I’m looking forward to spring!
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Leonardslee Gardens, West Sussex, England | View of lake through white and purple-pink flowering rhododendrons in Spring (8 of 19)
Image by ukgardenphotos
Leonardslee Gardens: Landscape Garden and lake views
For a few weeks in May of each year, Leonardslee Gardens in West Sussex, UK, erupt into a spectacular display of the most amazing color combinations of flowering rhododendrons and azaleas. The green, wooded valley gardens then turn into a place of vibrant colors and outstanding natural beauty. Filled with the scent of the massed azalea plantings the whole area becomes a forest paradise. Visitors have often described its beauty and tranquility as being like ‘heaven on earth’.
This photograph ws taken late in the afternoon and is a view through white and purple rhododendrons in the foreground towards the tranquil lake.
For many years, tens of thousands of visitors have enjoyed the picture-postcard qualities of this Grade 1 historic garden. Unfortunately, the gardens are now closed to the public as they have been sold to an international businessman.
Details: Leonardslee Gardens is a truly outstanding English landscape garden having a Grade 1 Historic Garden status (English Heritage Register). It covers about 240 acres (97 Hectares) in a wooded valley, contains seven lakes and is extensively planted with azaleas, ancient rhododendrons (some well over 100 years old), acers and camellias - all with a delightful under planting of bluebells in spring.
The great Victorian plant collector, Sir Edmund Loder (who gave his name to the large flowered and scented Loderi Rhododendron Hybrids) purchased the estate in 1889 and planted large numbers of Rhododendrons there. Sir Giles Loder later planted an extensive collection of camellias at Leonardslee. The estate remained in the hands of five generations of the Loder family until 2010 when it was sold to an international businessman. However, the Loder Rhododendron nursery was not sold and is still in business.
Location: Leonardslee Gardens, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex, England, RH13 6PP, UK. UK Map references: OSGB36 Grid ref:: TQ220259: Map tile ref: TQ22NW40
Links: A more detailed history of Leonardslee Gardens is available on Wikipedia. Leonardslee nursery is still run by Chris Loder and his website contains useful information on Rhododendron Loderi, its varieties and hybrids.
© 2011 ukgardenphotos
Springs Eternal
Image by EJP Photo
The lone Daffodil my third sign of Spring
Image by photogirl7.1
This is the first daffodil to start blooming. Since I took this picture, one more has now opened and th at is it for now. The rest are waiting for warmer days to start blossoming. Right now, every spring flower is in transition. This was taken in the most awkward position as it decided to grow by the Wisteria plant and the only way to shoot this flower was to be a contortionist. So, I am proud of this shot, only one of the few that actualy came out.
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