It is now time to go and find those bluebells that I mentioned. To do that we have to first walk through the formal garden which consists of topiary yews and hedges. These were planted by Richard Myddelton Biddulph in the late 19th century in order to give shelter to the plants that were growing by the castle walls. I can see why it is very open around the castle and on the day I visited there was a chill wind.
Chirk has a full-time garden staff of three, supported by a small band of volunteers. Pruning the yew hedges takes two of them from mid-August until the end of October, and produces two tons of clippings.
The guidebook goes on to say:
In 1653 the second Sir Thomas Myddelton laid out a garden to the east of the castle in the formal style favoured by the French King. Sir Thomas may have been quietly making a political point, as the French were then harbouring the exiled Charles II, to whom he had recently transferred his allegiance. He certainly saw it as a way of providing work for his poorer tenants.
Sir Thomas Myddelton II on his mid-17th-century garden:
‘When first, I did begin, to make
This Garden, I did undertake,
A worke, I knew not when begunn,
What it would cost, ere it was donn,
… But I repent not, for ye poore,
… Doe there finde worke; had none before.I found some worke for every trade,
Some walles did make, some Arbours made,
Some mowed ye Allys; some I putt,
To preuine ye vines, and Hedges cutt,
… And some poore weomen, that had neede,
…I kept, & payd them, for to weede.
No bluebells?
There I was, quivering with anticipation for these elusive bluebells – (like those elusive tulips of mine) and…….?
Don’t tell me , they weren’t out yet.
Back next week I guess.
Just maybe I found both the Tulips and the Bluebells… You will have to wait and see
Now that falls into my category of magnificent and thanks for the explanation too. Love the window frames.
There are some very impressive castle along the Welsh border and into Wales.
A beautiful photo Cherie. I so wish I could visit a castle and grounds that looks this good. These are the sort of places I would like to visit. We have Paronella Park which is surrounded by rainforest, breathtaking but so is the above photo.
Welcome back, I hope you get the chance to visit our castles one day
I must admit though that I think your park sounds wonderful.
What is it about castles…and flowers! i love it, Cherie.
They do go well together don’t they?
Ah… the colours of spring flowers and greenery does the heart good. Beautiful photos Cherie.
I always find spring with it’s new growth and colours very uplifting.
I love the contrast of flower and fioliage against hard stone.
It is the windows that speak out to me, there is just something about them!