LALLOUZ INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE :: A Gardeners Diary

Where The World Meets™

by Andrea Lynn Fisher

The always lovely, 19th century French climbing rose, Madame Alfred Carrier is in full bloom. A regal beauty with blush-colored nodding petals that reveal her tea rose parentage, her sweet hypnotic fragrance is unforgettable, yet not imposing. She is one's first introduction to The Gardens at Thursday's Antiques, and with an air of sublime elegance she gracefully awaits her visitors.

Walk behind the fence and immediately be greeted by the tall and elegant pale-pink English roses. Fold upon fold of soft fragrant petals leave one wondering if they are not in heaven. The sweet smelling Heritage, a truly perfect bloom and a favorite among English and American gardeners is the first to be seen. Nearby is the always beautiful Eglantyne and Scepter d'Isle. One more English rose, this one a much deeper pink, The Herbalist, sits on the other side of the garden. Her sumptuous, deep-pink blooms look magnificent surrounded by tall spikes of purple salvia. The pastel blues of nepeta sit at her feet, as if their sole purpose is to serve her. When I see those chalky pastel blues I think of the great English gardener, the late Gertrude Jekyll, whose painterly approach to design changed gardens forever.

The Gardens at Thursday’s Antiques

Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) was one of the 20th Century's most influential British landscape designers. Having created more than 400 gardens in Europe, the UK and US, Hestercombe in Somerset remains one of her most well known projects.

Peek inside the cupped petals of the truly lovely English Climber, Constance Spry and be delightfully surprised to discover sprays of yellow stamens. Rose breeder David Austin confesses this to be his favorite among all his creations. Her myrrh scent is seductive, making it difficult to walk away. The velvety-pink climber New Dawn, creates a breathtaking show while intertwined with the deep purple blooms of clematis Etoile Violette. (I must confess, I first saw this pairing in a catalogue many years ago and it was love at first sight!) This breathtaking pair fills an archway leading to the back door. Together they make coming and going magical. Another French beauty, climbing rose Eden is just beginning to open. Her cup-shaped cream and pale-pink blooms open in magnificent clusters, making it easy to forgive her for her lack of scent.

Each morning I run out into my garden to see what changes occurred while I was asleep. I am always excited to discover the new blooms that await me. Often I count the rose buds, and like a child waiting to open birthday presents every waking hour is filled with excitement of the magnificence that is about to reveal itself. When all those blooms open and the air is filled with scent, I find it difficult to return indoors. And each night before going to sleep, I go outside one last time to take it all in, again. The roses are not alone in creating this little piece of paradise for me. The Perennials complete the scene, making an enchanting space where they can reign.

David C.H. Austin OBE (ne 1926) is a British rose breeder. 'Constance Spry' was introduced in 1963 as his first rose with many others to follow. ‘Austin Roses’ soon became the most successful group of new roses in the 20th Century.

One of my favorite of these perennials is the beloved foxglove. I am especially fond of the very pale, yellow blooms of Digitalis Grandiflora and the strawberry-colored Mertonensis. Their tall racimes are filled with bell-like flowers, and make glorious counterpoints to the folds and curves of the roses. The lovely verbascum, with its ruffled petticoat-like flowers in antique shades of apricot and mauve, is especially pretty. English Garden magazine calls verbascum the super models of perennials, and that they are! Perennial geraniums, with their thin sprays of tiny clear pink flowers, spill over the borders giving a free, organic form to the neatly defined curves of the beds. Nepeta, phlox, salvia, lavender and the lovely feathery plumes of astilbes dance throughout the garden. Have you ever smelt astilbe? It is surprisingly delicious, its heavy scent is musky and unexpected. Annual favorites such as pansies, verbena and snapdragons fill the space. And the large, fragrant blooms of the peonies… are always attention grabbers.

The air is thick with the aroma of gardenia, jasmine, stock, lilac and of course the mingling scents of old-fashioned roses. The music of birds, bees and butterflies -- which will appear in full force when the budlea finally opens -- creates what I like to think of as the magical sounds of summer.

My garden is a place of magic… a place that I have been told is inspiring and transforming. A friend of mine recently entered the garden and after a few moments of absolute silence just stood there and sobbed. She said it was overwhelming, like being in Eden.

Another friend described the experience as healing and told me the healing she was experiencing must be a result of being enveloped by such beauty. Perhaps when we are completely still, in the midst of nature’s beauty, we return to our days in Eden, when we were free of cares and truly connected to life. I know that when I am in my garden, surrounded by its gentle colors, calming shapes, rhythms, sounds, scents and textures, I feel absolute peace and am truly happy.

Perhaps I have found heaven.

Thursday's Antiques specializes in Fine French Art & Antiques. Clients include art collectors & interior designers nationwide. Proprietor Andrea Lynn Fisher, procures 19th century European paintings for a noted art scholar who authenticates paintings for both Christie's and Sotheby's New York. To view works of 19th century French painters & sculptors who exhibited in the Salons of Paris, and Andrea’s fine selection of 18th, 19th & turn of the century French antiques, visit: www.thursdaysantiques.com

Browsers and Dreamers welcome!

The Gardens at Thursday’s Antiques welcomes visitors. Call for hours.