496 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  29,  18182 
THE  GROVE,  HARBORNE. 
As  an  ideal  residential  suburban  estate  it  may  not  be  considered 
invidious  to  assert  that,  among  the  numerous  princely  homes  of  the  “  City 
of  the  Midlands,’’  The  Grove,  as  it  is  appropriately  designated,  stands 
second  to  none.  It  is  the  home  of  William  Ivenrick,  Esq.,  M.P.,  the 
esteemed  representative  of  the  Northern  Division  of  Birmingham.  The 
estate,  which  occupies  about  35  acres  of  pastoral  land,  is  situated  on  a 
portion  of  the  elevated  south-western  escarpment  of  Harborne,  and  over¬ 
looking  the  richly  diversified  landscape  extending  towards  the  Lickey  and 
Clent  Hills.  The  Grove  is  distant  about  three  miles  from  the  Town  Hall 
of  Birmingham.  _ 
When  Mr.  Ivenrick  acquired  the  property  some  twenty-five  years 
since  he  resolved  to  considerably  enlarge  and  improve  the  grounds,  for 
which  purpose  the  services  of  the  late  eminent  landscape  gardener,  Mr. 
E.  Milner,  were  laid  under  contribution.  The  mansion  was  also 
considerably  enlarged  and  embellished,  but  of  that  more  anon.  The 
north-eastern  boundary  of  the  estate  abuts  on  the  highway,  from  which  it 
is  separated  by  an  Oax  fence,  the  grounds  being  effectively  screened  by  tall 
old  trees  and  a  wide  belting  of  evergreens.  At  the  boundary  already 
adverted  to  is  located  a  neat  and  unpretentious  entrance  lodge.  From  it 
a  broad  and  sweeping  carriage  drive  extends  through  the  park-like 
grounds  to  the  picturesque  mansion,  snugly  ensconced  in  the  arboreal 
scenery  around.  The  greater  portion  of  the  drive  is  lined  by  an  avenue 
purposely  broken  with  the  twofold  objects  of  securing  as  much  as  possible 
an  informal  appearance  and  to  open  up  views  of  the  home  and  distant 
landscapes.  It  should  be  mentioned  that  the  trees  in  question — Horse 
Chestnuts  and  Limes — appear  to  have  been  planted  some  forty  years  ago  ; 
and  to  still  further  break  the  apparent  continuity  of  the  avenue,  similar 
trees  were  introduced  by  Mr.  Milner  here  and  there  in  clump-like  fashion 
on  each  side  with  very  good  effect. 
Immediately  after  passing  through  the  lodge  entrance,  the  atten¬ 
tion  of  the  visitor  is  naturally  drawn  to  an  opening  in  the  shrubbery  on 
the  right-hand  side,  leading  into  an  adjacent  grassy  dell,  furnished  with 
groups  and  borderings  of  old-established  Rhododendrons  in  luxuriant 
growth.  Leading  from  the  dell  the  belting  of  shrubbery  extends  onwards 
in  a  pleasing  and  effective  undulatory  course  to  the  domestic  premises 
beyond.  A  considerable  portion  of  this  line  of  ornamental  trees  and 
shrubs  is  enhanced  by  a  wide  sloping  border,  furnished  chiefly  with 
select  herbaceous  flowers  in  masses  ;  while  on  the  opposite  side 
clumps  of  shrubs  and  a  few  flower  beds,  informally  disposed,  serve  to 
deepen  the -interest  in  the  whole.  A  neat  horizontal  iron  fence,  being  a 
continuation  of  that  enclosing  the  carriage  drive,  serves  to  preserve  the 
whole  from  the  incursion  of  cattle,  which  are  kept  for  the  use  of  the 
establishment.  A  somewhat  similar  arrangement  to  the  foregoing 
obtains  on  the  left-hand  boundary  beyond  the  lodge  entrance  to  a  con¬ 
siderable  distance.  From  this  vantage  ground  charming  views  of  the 
domain  and  surrounding  landscape  are  obtained  ;  especially  is  it  so  witk' 
regard  to  a  view  of  the  carriage  front  of  the  di.-tant  mansion,  and  the 
intervening  ornamental,  riverlike  lake,  extending  down  the  undulated 
park  to  within  a  short  distance  of  the  front  door.  As  seen  from  various- 
points  of  view,  this  water  scene  is  almost  unique  in  its  effects,  and  par¬ 
ticularly  is  this  the  case  at  the  house  portion,  where  a  charming  conceit 
is  produced  by  the  Rhododendron-clad  island  and  the  connecting  rustic 
wooden  bridge  as  seen  in  one  of  the  excellent  photographs  (fig.  85) 
page  493.  This  scene  is  especially  charming  when  the  Rhododendrons 
embellishing  that  end  of  the  lake  nearest  the  mansion  are  in  full  bloom. 
Other  striking  plants  include  patches  of  the  Yellow  Flag  (Iris  pseud- 
acoris),  huge  masses  of  Catstail  or  Reed  Mace  (Typha  latifolia  and  minor),, 
and  many  suitable  semi-aquatics,  which  are  disposed  chiefly  at  the  oppo¬ 
site  end  of  the  lake  ;  white  Water  Lilies  add  grace  to  the  scene. 
A  feature  also  worthy  of  special  notice  in  connection  with  the  variety 
of  landscape  is  the  rich  arboreal  scenery  on  the  higher  ground  of 
the  neighbouring  properties 
closely  adjoining  The  Grove, 
consorting  admirably  as  it 
does  with  that  of  the  latter, 
so  that  strangers  especially 
find  it  difficult  to  discriminate 
between  them.  Likewise,  too, 
there  exists  a  harmonious 
blending  of  the  old  and 
younger  tree  scenery  of  the 
park,  in  which  one  or  two 
venerable  and  picturesque 
Oaks,  situated  between  the 
lodge  entrance  and  the  lake, 
lend  much  effect. 
A  passing  reference  may 
be  given  to  the  commodious 
and  picturesque  residence, 
which  forms  relatively  so 
conspicuous  an  element  in 
its  surroundings.  It  has  been 
said,  with  some  truth,  that  the 
edifice  should  form  a  jewel  of 
which  the  surrounding  scenery 
is  the  setting.  Especially 
does  this  apply  to  the  ornate 
Gothic  faqado  so  effectively 
displayed  in  the  photographic 
picture  (fig.  87).  The  em¬ 
bellishment  of  the  interior  of 
the  house  harmonises  with 
that  of  the  exterior  ;  it  is 
replete  with  high-class  paint¬ 
ings  and  other  works  of  the 
fine  arts,  and  apropos  of  which 
it  may  noc  be  superfluous  to 
quote  the  following  paragraph 
from  a  recent  issue  of  a  local 
contemporary  :  “  Alderman 
Kenrick  is  spoken  of  as  one 
of  the  few  men  in  Birming¬ 
ham  who  has  a  collection  off 
pictures  which  are  pictures.  His  house  is  filled,  even  to  the  staircases 
and  landings,  with  canvases  by  some  of  the  present-day  artists,  many  of 
them  being  unusually  fine  examples  of  the  painter’s  skill.  He  is  generous 
in  lending  these  pictures  to  the  city,  and  has  more  than  once  presented 
pictures  to  the  Art  Galler}-.”  It  may  also  be  added  that  Mr.  Kenrick, 
has,  we  believe,  a  penchant  for  wielding  the  brush  and  palette,  and  that 
one  of  his  favourite  subjects  is  the  portrayal  of  suggestive  landscape 
and  garden  scenes.  _ 
Starting  from  a  vantage  point  beneath  the  clump  of  fine  old  trees,  on 
the  south  bank  of  the  lake,  adjoining  the  rustic  wooden  bridge  connecting 
the  bank  with  the  Rhododendron  island  on  the  opposite  side,  as 
seen  by  the  illustration  (fig.  56),  we  wend  our  way  down  a  grassy  glade 
in  an  oblique  easterly  direction  towards  a  spacious  tennis  lawn  located 
immediately  beyond.  The  site  is  almost  entirely  hidden  from  the  house 
above  by  the  trees  and  shrubs  charmingly  disposed  over  the  intervening 
ground.  It  is  well  protected  from  the  cold  north  and  east  winds  by  a 
belting  of  chiefly  Austrian  Pines,  and  is  otherwise  adorned  with 
ornamental  trees  and  shrubs  in  tasteful  arrangement.  In  addition  to  this 
there  is,  in  a  sheltered  position  on  the  east  side  of  the  lawn,  a  bed  con¬ 
taining  a  collection  of  choice  herbaceous  and  alpine  flowers,  whilst  on  the 
adjoining  bank,  in  one  corner,  are  stately  Delphiniums  in  variety.  Thd 
foregoing  sections  of  flowers  are  cherished  here,  Mrs.  Kenrick,  especially, _. 
possessing  an  intimate  knowledge  of  them. 
Leaving  this  charming  recreative  pleasaunce  for  pastures  new,  our 
steps  were  unconsciously  led  towards  the  south-western  portions  of  the. 
grounds.  Ascending  a  gentle  incline  by  a  gravel  walk  bordered  with  a. 
series  of  informally  disposed  flower  beds  furnished  with  Irises,  hardy 
Lilies  and  Roses,  with  fine  specimen  Hollies,  Yew  and  Conifers,  in  the 
background,  the  higher  ground  is  gained,  whence  pretty  vistas  of  the- 
scenery  around  are  obtained.  What  are  known  as  bedding  plants  do  not 
Photo  by  H.  S/okes, 
Fig.  86. — Water  Scene  at  The  Grove. 
Birmingham. 
