Sloane Ranger Wednesday: Gardens of Gertrude Jekyll

I think it is safe to say that any garden enthusiast, especially those that also double as an anglophile, worship Gertrude Jekyll. When it comes to gardens she was, and still is, one of the most influential in the field. Jekyll was also one of the first in the field to really make gardening more of an art. She worked closely with the famed architect, Edward Lutyens (who actually built the Viceroy's home in India- that is another post for another day...when mother has time to guest blog because she is like a walking book when it comes to Lutyens. I think blog reader Wendy can attest to this as I believe she was given the British Raj tour by my mother on her trip to India last year.). Sadly, many of Jekyll's gardens have not survived the test of time. However, in recent years people have taken to restoring her projects based on her original plans. Below are several examples of Gertrude Jekyll's work around both in Europe and the United States.

Glebe House, Woodbury, CT

Upton Grey Manor Hour, UK

Isn't is evident that Gertrude Jekyll did treat the garden like a painter treats his canvas? There is so much color everywhere and everything seems to flow together like a painting. Simply stunning!

FUN FACT:

"The Jekyll name survives as a place name in the USA. Jekyll Island (originally spelled with one l) was the name given to Whale Island, off the coast of Georgia, when the colony of Georgia was founded in the early years of the 18th century. The name came from Sir Joseph Jekyll who was much admired by the colony's founder, General Oglethorpe. In 1886, it became an exclusive club and, today, it is a tourist resort in the State of Georgia."