Thursday, September 22, 2016

Anglesey Abbey gardens in bloom


Anglesey Abbey scene in Cambridgeshire by Martyn Ferry Photography

A couple of weeks ago I visited Anglesey Abbey, a National Trust property located a few miles north of Cambridge. I wanted to have a mooch around the grounds and house, as well as visit the vibrant display of dahlias they have every year. 

This first post is all about the grounds. The 98 acres of landscaped grounds are divided into a number of walks and gardens, with classical statuary, topiary and flowerbeds. They were laid out in an 18th-century style by the estate's last private owner, the 1st Baron Fairhaven, in the 1930s. Baron Fairhaven bequeathed the house and grounds to the National Trust upon his death in 1966.

Silver Beech Trees in the grounds of Anglesey Abbey by Martyn Ferry Photography
Silver Birch Trees in the Winter Walk.

Summer scene along a river at Anglesey Abbey by Martyn Ferry Photography
Bottisham Lode, one of a number of lodes that were used as a transport link to the River Cam.

Black and white photography at Anglesey Abbey by Martyn Ferry Photography
Himalayan Silver Birch Trees.

Flowers line a path in the grounds of Anglesey Abbey by Martyn Ferry Photography
Pathway past the trees and wild flowers.

White beech trees line a path at Anglesey Abbey by Martyn Ferry Photography
The Winter Walk.

Anglesey Abbey flowers carpet the ground in Cambridgeshire by Martyn Ferry Photography
Wild flowers up close.

Leaves lie on a green river in Cambridgeshire by Martyn Ferry Photography
Bridge over Bottisham Lode, covered in algea and fallen leaves.

Anglesey Abbey tree in black and white by Martyn Ferry Photography
Small tree and ornamental stone urns.

Lord Fairhaven created the Dahlia Garden in 1952. It's sweeping design means that it is not possible to see the end of the border from either entrance. The border contains approximately seventy varieties of dahlia, with 250 plants needed to fill the garden.

The first Dahlia species arrived in Europe from Central and Southern Europe in the late 17th Century. The International Dahlia Register uses a classification system of 14 distinct groups, based on the overall shape of the flowers and petals, seven of which are grown at Anglesey Abbey, including ball, cactus, decorative and fimbriated, many with intriguing names such as Bracken Ballerina, Spartacus, Streets Ahead and Café au Lait.

Collection of dahlias in yellow among the collection in Anglesey Abbey by Martyn Ferry Photography
A collection of Claire Dianes.

Beautiful flowers line the grounds of Anglesey Abbey by Martyn Ferry Photography
Dahlia border.

Gorgeous dahlia at Anglesey Abbey by Martyn Ferry Photography
El Paso.

Famous collection of dahlias at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire by Martyn Ferry Photography
No idea.

Anglesey Abbey dahlia with a ladybird by Martyn Ferry Photography
Nunton Form with ladybird accessory.

Lovely looking dahlia in the grounds of Anglesey Abbey by Martyn Ferry Photography
Might be a Hexton Copper.

Anglesey Abbey dahlia collection in bloom by Martyn Ferry Photography
There are hundreds of dahlia varieties, and this is one of them.

Stunning flower in the Anglesey Abbey dahlia collection by Martyn Ferry Photography
Possibly a Pink Loveliness, (yes it is a real name) or possibly not.

No comments:

Post a Comment