Sissinghurst Castle - Part Six - Page 2


© Kirk Johnson
Page 2
The Pyrus salicifolia that Vita mentioned in her article has been controversial for another reason; some people who are willing to question Vita's taste have dared to say that it is a dumpy little tree; I can recall it being likened to a brooding hen. When the original tree blew down during the great windstorm of October, 1987 there was talk about it being replaced with something more graceful, but a new Pyrus salicifolia, was planted. I think that this was the right decision, even though I am willing to concede that this tree does tend to have a less than elegant growth habit. The original tree was given to Vita by a dear friend, Mrs., Catherine Drummond, as a Christmas present in 1939. It was originally planted in another part of the garden and was carefully transplanted 11 years later as an important part of the new White Garden. It is possible that Vita was aware of this tree's flaws, but she valued it's silver leaves and she cared for the friend who had given it to her. Vita's plant choices should always be respected and important plants should only be replaced by other varieties when the original plant has infected the soil with a disease.

Vita's "grey leaden statue of a Vestal Virgin", shown in the photograph above, was cast in 1935 from a walnut statue by the Yugoslavian sculptor, Thomas Rosandic, which is in Sissinghurst's long library. Like the tree that sheltered her, the lead Virgin was originally placed in another part of the garden, and only found her final location when the White Garden was created. She is the White Garden's principal ornament; her only competitor being a large gray Chinese Jar.

The Chinese jar, shown in the photograph above, was bought by Harold in Egypt, and probably dates from the seventeenth century. Similar jars were used to protect Chinese exports such as oil and ginger while they were being transported on trading ships. The jar has been at the crossing of the garden's two main walks since it was placed there in 1937. It was originally shaded by almond trees, into which climbing roses were trained. The roses were so vigorous that they probably hastened the death of the trees, and when the last almond trees were removed in 1970, a wrought iron arbor was erected over the jar. The shape of the arbor, which was designed by Nigel Nicolson, perfectly echoes the Perpendicular Gothic arches of Sissinghurst's entry gate and tower. It was never painted, because it was decided that the climbing roses would make repainting too difficult, so its rusty color is intentional. The original plan was to train two of the established climbing roses over it, but once the almonds were removed, the roses grew so exuberantly that they threatened to swamp the arbor with their foliage. The smaller of the climbing roses was removed and the survivor, Rosa mulliganii, is carefully trained over the arbor so that the elegant shape of the arches are not softened too much.

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

3.   Jun 8, 2001 11:48 PM
In response to message posted by JaneHollis:

I have never visited Sissinghurst, but i live on the Oregon coast, so it is further ...


-- posted by Kirk_Johnson


2.   Jun 8, 2001 12:47 PM
I have a terrible confession to make - I live just a few miles away from Sissinghurst, but have not yet visited the garden! For one, I have heard, seen and read *so* much about Sissinghurst that I su ...

-- posted by JaneHollis


1.   Jun 8, 2001 9:36 AM
I enjoyed this article and I wish I knew the plants in their botanical names as you have listed. I have much to learn in gardening only getting serious about it the last couple years.

I have a lot ...


-- posted by BettyPine





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