Happy Friday, GPOD friends!
Capturing the Beauty of Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Join us today as we take a virtual trip across the pond with Chicago-based photographer Cindy Strickland.
Cindy has previously wowed us with photos of her former North Carolina garden, along with stunning shots from collaborative projects with fellow garden enthusiasts and her international travels.
In this edition, we’re thrilled to showcase a captivating selection of images from Cindy’s visit to Sissinghurst Castle Garden last year.
Located near Cranbrook in Kent, UK, this historic site has a rich past, having transformed remarkably into the stunning garden we admire today.
While the full history of Sissinghurst is extensive, you can explore the details on the National Trust’s website, which chronicles the evolution of this renowned garden.
Exciting News for Garden Enthusiasts
For those who find themselves enchanted by Cindy’s photographs, there’s exciting news! Fine Gardening is organizing a garden tour in England’s picturesque regions, planned for late May 2025.
If you book your spot by January 1st, you can snag a $300 discount—more details are readily available on their website.
Cindy’s photographs, taken during her late May visit to Sissinghurst Castle Garden in 2023, primarily focus on the ethereal beauty of The White Garden.
Highlights from the White Garden
One of her shots captures a wide view of this serene space, featuring blooming cow parsley intermingled with centaurea and the soft, silvery foliage of lamb’s ear.
Another perspective zooms in on the neat hedges, which bloom with clusters of white allium—simply stunning against the backdrop of the garden.
In one close-up, Cindy highlights wild chervil, or Anthriscus sylvestris, as it’s known in the US.
Locals have commented on its fleeting charm; abundant in spring, it rapidly fades away, and in the States, it’s often viewed as invasive.
Cindy was pleasantly surprised to find a rare white flowering form of the eastern shooting star, which is typically characterized by purple or pink blossoms.
She also photographed the firework starthistle, displaying striking white blooms accented with captivating purple, a refreshing variation to the more typical purple and blue varieties familiar to American gardeners.
A glimpse of the Scottish rose, hidden amongst the white blossoms, showcased her timing as slightly premature for their peak season.
However, she was delighted to encounter a few blooms during her visit.
Cindy also featured honeywort paired with variegated purple milk thistle, creating a stunning tapestry of purple, green, and white in another corner of the garden.
Lastly, the meadow area of the garden struck a particularly lush and inviting chord, beckoning visitors to pause and take in its tranquility.
A huge thank you to Cindy for sharing her vibrant snapshots of this historically rich landscape! Her photography elegantly captures both the garden’s overall ambiance and the distinct varieties of plants within it.
If you’ve had the pleasure of visiting a lively garden recently, we’d love to hear about your experiences!
Would you like to share your garden journey with us? Consider submitting 5-10 of your best photos, along with details about the plants and the location of your garden.
We welcome insights into your gardening adventures, from your successes and challenges to your aspirations for the future, favorite plants, or even a lighthearted story from your experience.
If you’re snapping photos on your phone, feel free to tag your images on social media with #FineGardening!
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Source: Finegardening