56 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  20,  4899. 
THE  UPLANDS. 
There  are  numerous  residential  domains  round  Birmingham  noted 
for  their  horticultural  features,  and  conspicuous  amongst  them  is  “The 
Uplands,”  the  charming  home  of  T.  W.  Webley,  Esq.,  of  revolver  fame. 
It  is  situated  about  three  and  a  half  miles  from  the  Town  Hall,  Birming¬ 
ham,  bordering  on  the  western  suburb  of  Edgbaston  at  Selly  Hill.  It  is  also 
almost  within  pistol-shot  to  the  west  of  Highbury,  and  at  a  much  closer 
range  of  fire  to  the  residence  of  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Charles  Winn, 
also  called  The  Uplands — the  two  residences  closely  adjo’ning  each 
other,  and  curiously,  also,  both  being  noted  for  their  horticultural  qualifi¬ 
cations,  the  one  (Mr.  Webley ’s)  for  garden  scenery  and  the  ether  for 
Orchids,  especially  Cypripediums,  of  which  latter  genus  Mr.  Winn  raised 
several  choice  hybrids  within  the  last  few  years. 
Beverting  from  this  digression,  it  must  be  remarked  that  The  Uplands, 
as  its  appellation  significantly  indicates,  comprises  chiefly  steeply  rising 
ground,  surmounted  by  the  commodious  domicile,  with  a  south-eastern 
aspect,  the  ground  readily  lending  itself  to  the  extensive  and  elaborate 
rock  garden,  and  of  which  the  accompanying  beautiful  photographic 
illustration  (fig.  16)  will  convey  to  the  reader  an  idea  of  its  features  far 
beyond  the-pen  and  ink  sketch  could  do.  The  rockery’  in  question  was 
constructed  by  Messrs.  Pulham  &  Sons  about  four  years  ago,  and  may 
perhaps  be  considered  the  chef  d' centre,  according  to  its  size,  of  the  firm’s 
manifold  similar  creations.  The  general  features  of  the  rock  garden  w  ere 
designed  by  Mr.  William  Spinks  (the  locally  well-known  landscape 
gardener  to* Messrs.  Hewitt  &  Co.,  Solihull),  as  well  as  other  portions  ot  the 
grounds,  and  all  of  which  reflect  much  credit  on  his  taste  and  skill.  Mr. 
Webley  is  a  strong  believer  in  “thoroughness,”  and  in  the  carrying  out 
of  the  numerous  improvements  of  his  delightful  and,  it  may  be  sately  said, 
altogether  unique  garden,  nothing  was  spared  to  effect  the  purpose. 
In  attemptirg  to  delineate  a  few  of  the  principal  features  of  the 
pleasure  grounds,  we  purpose  to  commence  at  the  base  of  the  principal 
faqade  ot  the  house,  and  from  which  a  partial  but  interesting  \ iew  of 
the  surrounding  ground  and  rock  'garden  is  obtained.  A  grassy 
undulating  glade  — a  portion  of  which  is  depicled  in  the  illustration 
(fig!  10)— commences  almost  immediately  at  the  site  indicated,  an  1  is 
bordered  on  the  lower  side  by  ft  wide  belting  of  trees  ami  shrubs, 
effectively  screening  the  abode  and  grounds  fjom  public  view.  The 
opposite  higher  rising  side  of  the  glade  is  furnished  with  a  broad  and 
irregular  bordering  ot  choice  trees  and  shrubs,  among  which  there  are 
several  both  rare  and  costly.  Particularly  noticeable  are  three  or  four 
small  specimens  of  the  elegant'  Cedrus  atlantica  aurea,  and  such  as 
Cupressus  Law soniana  Westerianum,  R>-tinospora  filifera  aurea,  11.  fihf,  ra 
pyramidalis,  Abies  concolor  viola< ea,  A.  Sieboldi,  A.  pungms  glauca,  and 
the  strikingly  effective  Coni  er  Cedrus  atlantica  glauca,  this  standing  out 
in  bold  relief  amidst  a  colony;  of  green  and  golden  Hollies  and  Yews. 
Provision  is  made  along  the  front  portion  of  the  border  in  the  shape 
of  informal  spaces  for  the  reception  of  spring  and  summer  beddiDg 
flowers,  such  as  Narcissi  and  Tulips  for  the.  former  purpose,  and 
“Geraniums”  for  the  latter,  the  colouration  of  the  flowers  affording  a 
pleasing  relief  to  the  rich  and  varied  gr  enery  of  the  shrubs  at  the  rear. 
Proceeding  downwards  we  arrive  at  the  upper  end  of  the  rock  and  water 
garden,  and  from  which  coign  of  vantage  a  persj  ective  view  of  this  and 
•  the  scenery  beyond  is  obtained,  including  the  not  too  picturesque  wind- 
water  engine,  attached  to  a  deep  well  on  the  confines  of  the  low  er  j  onion 
of  the  grounds,  for  the  purpose  of  forcing  a  supply  of  water  into  a  tank  at 
the  back  of  the  premi-es  above,  from  which  it  gravitates  through  an 
underground  conduit  to  the  rockery  below,  w  hile  the  waste  water  of  the 
tank  is  reconducted  to  the  well.  _ 
In  close  proximity  to  the  trio  of  p'eturesque  old  Oaks,  represented 
on  the  right  hand  of  the  photo  in  question,  the  streamlet  supply  ing  the 
rockery  below  issues  unostentatiously  from  a  secluded  part  of  the  rocky 
bank  beneath,  thence  flowing  placidly  onward  until  it  reaches  the  head  of 
the  fall,  and  passing  on  leaps  from  crag  to  crag  till,  shrouded  by  tail¬ 
growing  aquatic  vegetation,  it  falls  into  the  ornamental  pool  below.  It  is 
almost  unnecessary  to  remark  that  the  sides,  uooks,  and  crannies  of  the 
rocky  streamlet  are  clothed  with  a  suitable  contingent  of  sub-shrubby, 
semi-aquatic  plants,  disposed  with  much  judgment  and  taste.  Several 
of  the  plants  are  novelties,  one  being  a  remarkably  dwarf  variety  ot  Pinus 
strobus,  said  to  be  upwards  of  forty  years  old.  about  18  inches  high,  of  a 
spreading  habit,  and  supposed  to  bo  the  only  plant  of  its  kind  extant.  In 
a  suitable  nook  two  or  three  shapely  plants  of  Yucca  gloriosa,  amidst 
other  vegetation,  proved  most  effective.  In  another  nook  a  small  colony 
of  Cypripedium  spectsbile  attracted  notice,  as  also  a  flourishing  plant  of 
Cotoneaster  horizontalis  climbing  the  face  of  a  large  boulder.  In  another 
quiet  and  sheltered  recess  was  noticed  the  stately  Arum  Lily  (Richardia 
asthiopiea)  throwing  up  their  creamy,  vase-shaped  inflorescence  in  profu¬ 
sion,  having  survived  the  winter’s  cold  with  impunity  in  their  watery  bed. 
In  the  illustration  only  a  portion  of  the  lake  is  shown,  including  a 
small  portion  of  the  Rhododendrons  clothiDg  the  island  in  the  centre, 
and  which  were  most  effective  when  in  full  bloom  at  the  time  of  our 
visit,  and  the  shadows  of  whose  pendulous  boughs  in  company’  with  tall 
Eerns  and  other  suitable  vegetation  were  reflected  on  still  water  around. 
The  margin  of  the  lake  is  fringed  with  a  variety  of  waterside  plants, 
including  large  specimens  of  the  elegant  Bamboo,  Arundinaria  Sinionsi, 
Spiraas  in  variety,  large  numbers  of  Ty  phas  latifolia,  angustiloiia,  and 
the  pretty  minima,  commonly  but  erroneously  called  Bullrushes  instead 
of  Cat’s-tail  or  Reed-Mace,  the  Bullrusles  I  eh  nging  to  the  genus 
Scirpus.  A  collection  of  Marliac’s  hyb  id  Water  Lilies  distributed  over 
the  pool  are  in  process  of  trial  with  some  prospect  of  suet  ess.  The  water 
is  enlivened  by  shoals  of  golden  carp  and  other  fish  gl  stening  in  the 
sunshine,  which  leap  above  its  placid  surface  in  pursuit  of  the  unwary  flies. 
In  addition  to  the  rockery  already  adverted  to,  the  idea  occurred  to 
Mr.  Wibley  to  extend  it,  so  as  to  represent  a  rocky  rivulet  crossing  a 
valley,  and  emptying  into  a  deep  tree-begirt  pond  beyond.  Another 
feature  in  this  portion  of  the  grounds  are  the  large  beds  of  Rhododen¬ 
drons  rear  the  lake,  not  planted  in  the  “dotting”  system  usually  seen, 
but  in  misses  of  one  variety  each  of  tie  best  sorts  extant.  The 
system  in  question  was  adopted  to  a  still  greater  degree,  as  evidenced 
by  a  large  bed  near  by  containing  nearly  100  plants  of  Rhododendron 
Purity,  and  the  white  flowers  of  which,  cn  masse,  produced  a  most 
striking  effect,  especially’  in  comparison  with  the  dozens  of  the  former 
mentioned  assemblages  of  varieties.  The  foregoing  instances  are  object 
lessons,  and  serve  to  illustrate  Mr.  Webley’s  ideal  of  colour  “massing  ”  in 
vegetation.  _ 
Space  would  not  allow  of  particular  mention  of  the  other  numerous 
kinds  of  trees  and  shrubs  everywhere  to  be  observed  about  the  grounds, 
though  note  must  be  made  of  the  elegant  and  richly  coloured  Japanese 
Acprs.  Golden  Oaks,  Ghent  Azaleas,  Crimson  Thorns,  Lilacs,  Cytisus 
embellishing  the  shrubberies  around,  while  trees,  such  as  Weep'ng  Elms, 
Copper  Beeches,  and  others  growing  in  suitable  positions  characterise  the 
taller  growing  arboreal  scenery.  '  Amongst  them  was  noticeable  a  tall 
variety  of  Beech,  whose  peculiar  twisted  branches  and  fastig'ate  habit,  if 
not  handsome,  is  decidedly  picturesque.  It  is  sail  to  be  the  only  specimen 
in  Europe.  _ 
In  the  lower  portion  of  the  pleasure  grounds  there  is  a  tennis  lawn, 
with,  on  the  higher  ground  immediately  above,  a  Power  garden  with  the 
formal  beds  disposed  over  the  neatly  kept  turf:  thebe's  are  rendered 
gay  during  the  spring  season  with  masses  of  Narcissi  and  Tulips,  and  in 
summer  time  by  “  Geraniums,”  yellow’  Calceolarias,  and  Pentstemons. 
Roses  of  course  find  a  heme  here,  and  at  the  time  of  our  visit  the  rosery. 
with  its  long  narrow  beds,  separated  by  neatly  kept, grass  paths,  promised 
a  “  feast  of  Roses,”  worthy  alone  of  a  second  visit.  1’illar  Roses,  too,  are 
highly  cheiished,  as  evidenced  by  an  avenue  of  several  of  the  best  kinds, 
including  such  as  Paul’s  Carmine  Pillar,  Crimson  Rambler.  Annie  of 
Gierstein,  Lord  Penzance,  Brpndn.  Flora  Mclvor,  Brndwardine,  Julia 
Manwearing,  Amy  Robsart,  Catherine  Leyton,  and  Lady,  Penzance, 
trained  up  rustic  pillars  of  Spruce  Fir,  10  feet  high,  with  their  branches 
shortened  back  to  within  about  a  foot  of  the  main  stem  ;  each  variety 
had  filled  its  allotted  space,  and  wc-s  teeming  with  buds  on  the  eve  of 
expanding  their  beautiful  petal-. 
One  end  of 'ho  avenue  is  terminated  with  a  rustic  oak-bangled  arcad® 
in  process  cf  bting  covered  by  climbing  Roses  and  Clematis  montana, 
while  extend  ng  at  a  tight  angle  with  the  avenue  adverted  to  is  another 
one  of  climling  Roses  trained  up  pillars  of  open  ironwork  connected  by 
linked  chairs  depending  (rnn  pillar  to  pillar,  along  which  the  Rose 
branches  will  eventually  meet.  Near  by,  too,  was  a  long  and  wide  bed 
filled  with  one  of  the  most  charming  masses  of  Lily  ot  the  Valley  the 
writer  ever  saw.  and  the  air  being  redolent  with  their  delicious  perfume. 
In  close  proximily  to  the  sou'h  fide  of  the  house  is  Mrs.  Webley’s  private 
herbaceous  and  alpine  rock  garden.  Stub,  then,  is  a  desciption,  imperfect 
though  it  be,  of  some,  of  the  more  ta’ient  and  attractive  landscape  and 
floral  features  of  this  remarkable  ar.d  charming  suburban  retrear.  and  to 
he  fully  appreciated  by  the  visitor  would  require  to  be  seen  at  different 
seasons  of  the  year.  _ 
What  may  be  termed  ornamental  gardening  doe's  not.  however, 
monopolise  the  whole  of  Mr.  Webley ’s  hor  icultufal  proclivities,  ns 
instanced  bv  the  extensive  model  hardy  fruit  garden,  principally  com¬ 
prising  Apples  and  Pears  to  ibe  amount  of  seviral  hundreds  of  trees,  both 
dwarf  standards  and  pyramids,  planted  about  four  years  ago.  the  collec¬ 
tion  containing  some  of  the  leading  varieties  extant.  The  trees  are  being 
trained  with  almost  mathematical  precision,  midsummer  “stopping”  of 
the  current  growth  beiDg  assiduously  recognised.  The  standrrds  and 
pyramids  are  planted  in  alternate  lines — the  former  20  feet,  and  the  latter 
10  feet  apart.  Each  row  consists  of  one  kind  of  fruit.  For  instance, 
Cox’s  Orange  Pippin.  King  of  the  Pippins,  Lane’s  Prince  Albert.  Lord 
Suffield  are  assigned  a  row  of  each.  The  same  remarks  apply  to  Pears. 
It  must  have  been  a  beautiful  picture  when  the  trees  were  in  full  bloom. 
The  crop  of  fruit,  however,  promised  to  be  very  light,  owing  to  the 
untoward  weather  at  the  flowering  period.  Here,  too,  was  noticed  a 
thriving  young  nuttery.  Neatly  kept  grass  paths  separate  the  lines  of 
trees,  and  around  the  base  of  each  tree  is  a  circular  bed  of  Narcissi, 
which  having  done  duty  in  the  flower  garden  beds  aie  relegated  to  the 
orchard  in  question,  and  where  they  afford  when  in  flow’er  an  interesting 
sight,  especially  in  association  with  the  fruit  trees  when  in  bloom.  It  is 
an  arrangement  worthy  of  imitation.  What  are  called  bush  fruits  are 
also  extensively  grown,  and  Strawberries  in  particular,  in  about  a  dozen 
of  the  leading  varieties,  the  object  being  to  secure  the  most  reliable  and 
suitably  adapted  for  the  climate  and  position. 
From  the  foregoing  r.otep  it  will  be  seen  that  a  richness  of  resources, 
high  culture,  with  order  and  neatness,  were  everywhere  apparent,  apd 
