Liphook Community Magazine Spring 2018

I N O U R N E I G H B O U R H O O D
Gertrude Jekyll Gardens
The industrious volunteers for Liphook in Bloom are not the only
people for whom the name Gertrude Jekyll brings smiles of recognition.
Indeed, she is probably the most celebrated garden
designer of the past century, having created more than 400
gardens in the U.K., Europe and the U.S. In addition, she wrote
over 1000 magazine articles - many for The Garden (founded by
kindred spirit, William Robinson) and Country Life. She also
authored more than 15 books - most famously Colour in the
Garden - in her long life (1843-1932).
Gertrude Jekyll was born in London but grew up in Bramley, just
outside Guildford. It was while studying at the Kensington School
of Art that she fell in love with the creative art of planting and
gardening. Her painterly approach to garden design reflects this
early training. She also credits the painter Turner with influencing
her style. Jekyll’s distinctive plantings are known for their radiant
colour and almost Impressionist-style schemes, contrasting
‘warm’ and ‘cool’ flower colours. Textures were also important in
her approach to gardening.
Her name is forever linked with English architect Edwin Lutyens,
who was some 25 years her junior. One of his first commissions
was, in fact, to design her house, Munstead Wood. They were to
go on to collaborate - he as the architect, she as the garden
designer - on some 120 projects. He also designed her grave in the
cemetery of Busbridge parish church, just down the lane from
Munstead Wood.
Sadly, most of the gardens that Jekyll designed no longer exist.
But we are extremely lucky that Munstead Wood, Upton Grey and
Durmast House are within easy driving distance. I have visited the
first two and can recommend them highly.
Out building at Munstead Wood.
MUNSTEAD WOOD, NEAR GODALMING
(about 25 minutes’ drive from Liphook).
Both the house and garden (now 10 acres) are Grade I listed. The
garden was created on heath land that she bought in 1882.
Jekyll's home at Munstead Wood.
Jekyll's garden at Munstead Wood.
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