Dreamscape

Noted English plantsman Brian Humphrey VMH emailed four wonderful photos to me recently. At first I assumed he snuck into the National maple collection at Westonbirt Arboretum, but he claims: “I thought you might like to see a few pictures of the place [his garden] and their impact this autumn of some of the lovely plants you have sent us over the years.”

"A collection of mostly varieties you have sent us."

"Bottom left is your pal. 'Ghost' (what a great plant) above this is 'Baldsmith' then 'Tiger Rose' and taller to the right is 'Beni otake'."

"On left, brilliant red is Toxicodendron succedanea (from Kew Gardens). Just showing on extreme right (greyish leaves with autumn color just starting) Quercus incana the Blue Jack oak (scions from Hillier Arboretum) and in the background A. pal. 'Seiryu'. The Wisteria on a pole (right hand side) is 'Royal Purple' we call it but correctly (sorry Haruko!) 'Kokuryu'. We think it probably the best of all the cultivars we know. The mounded evergreens are mostly Cistus with silver foliage Helichrysum."

"Tree is Acer 'Red Wing' (pal. x circinatum)."

Wow – I have surrounded my home with a landscape, while Mr. H appears to live in a dreamscape. But he is probably still out raking leaves.

Cheers to Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey and Merry Christmas.