In the current era, it seems nearly impossible to hurl a heavy brick without striking a local gardener specializing in country landscape design.
In the early 70s, when George Harrison acquired Friar Park, Henley-on-Thames, he stumbled upon a mess - broken glasshouses, silted lakes, and a knitted topiary garden. This decay was a symbol of the fate that befall many gardens after the two World Wars. With funds dwindling and gardeners sent to the battlefield or factories, many once-Thriving gardens fell into ruin.
However, over the past 50 years, country house gardens like Friar Park have been reawakened from their thorny slumber. After Harrison's death, his wife Olivia, put everything into reviving Friar Park's gardens. She dug through old photographs, documents, consulted experts, and hired the necessary gardeners to continue her husband's work.
In the 80s, Elton John bought a 37-acre house named Woodside, and he tapped renowned gardener Rosemary Verey to help breathe new life into its garden. The decade was significant as it set the stage for the garden renaissance, with Prince Charles' acquisition of Highgrove in Gloucestershire and his enthusiasm for gardening giving the undertaking royal approval.
Designers like Arabella Lennox-Boyd, who founded a new era of landscape design in the 80s, and modern gardeners played a significant role in this period. They worked tirelessly to restore neglected gardens to their former glory while adapting them to the demands of modern times.
Countless gardens were salvaged, and the restoration of gardens in country houses has become a cherished and thriving industry. The example set by Friar Park inspires countless enthusiasts to transform their own gardens, and the spirit of revival endures to this day.
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- The restoration of historic houses like Friar Park and their gardens during the past 50 years has been a testament to the resilience of historic gardens.
- Garden design in the 80s, led by designers such as Arabella Lennox-Boyd, was instrumental in reviving neglected gardens and adapting them to modern lifestyles.
- Wildflower meadows and other elements of nature have been incorporated into the garden design at many country houses, creating a beautiful fusion of the past and present.
- For those with a passion for home-and-garden, fashion-and-beauty, and food-and-drink, the lifestyle and aesthetics of historic gardens offer a unique and romantic appeal.
- Education-and-self-development opportunities abound in the travel industry, with many companies offering tours and experiences that focus on historic gardens and country houses.
- Relationships can also be nurtured and strengthened through shared interests in gardening and home renovation, as demonstrated by the dedication of George Harrison's wife, Olivia, in reviving Friar Park's gardens.
