178 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  21,  19G2. 
Bucklebury  Place,  Woolhampton. 
The  clay  on  which  I  visited  the  Berkshire  residence  of  Arthur 
W.  Sutton,  l£sq.,  proved  to  be  one  of  the  warmest  and  most 
congenial  in  that  long  series  of  dripping  days  with  piercing 
winds  that  formed  the  spring  and  early  summer  of  the  current 
year.  The  “Place”  itself  lies  high  and  dry  on  the  foreslopes 
of  Bucklebury  Common,  eyeing  in  wide  perspective  the  whole 
southern  flange  of  rural  Berkshire,  and  unsurpassed  in  the 
magnificence  of  its  own  surroundings.  The  month  was  May, 
and  by  the  wayside  one  plucked  the  crimson  leaves  and  rose- 
pink  flowers  of  Herb  Robert,  and  nowhere  does  the  greater 
Stanvort — the  Stellaria  Holcstea — luxuriate  more  vigorously 
than  on  the  banks  and  by  the  hedgerows  of  this  Woolhampton 
district. 
Bucklebury  Place  lies  westward  from  Reading,  at  a  distance  of 
some  fourteen  miles.  Since  it  was  purchased  by  the  present 
owner  the  gardens  have  been  entirely  designed  and  made, 
and  even  the  picturesque  residence  in  Swiss  style  of  architec¬ 
ture,  and  half-timbered  construction,  has  been  completed 
during  his  tenure.  It  commands  an  unrivalled  view  of  the 
surrounding  hills  and  dales,  while  sun  and  wind  can  never 
miss  it.  The  illustration  presents  a  glance  of  the  house  from 
the  north  side  on  which  is  the  main  entrance  door  and  car¬ 
riage  way.  The  lawns  are  diversified  by  groups  of  shrubs, 
among  which  the  handsome  Rhododendrons  are  descried  when 
still  a  long  way  off.  The  brilliance  of  the  Rhododendrons  in 
the  higher  plane  was  equalled  by  the  charming  beds  and 
borders  of  Wallflowers  below  them,  and  of  which  there  were  a 
full  selection  of  the  Reading  firm’s  varieties. 
None  of  these  excel  the  colour  effect  of  Cloth  of  Gold,  which 
glows  like  sun-smitten  brass,  and  few  deeper  Wallflowers  than 
Purple  Queen  are  seen  anywhere  about.  Eastern  Queen,  of 
a  pale  apricot  shade,  was  used  in  lines  pleasingly  with  the  two 
above,  and  in  massed  beds  was  the  Blood  Red  variety — a 
splendid  spring  flower.  Sutton’s  Giant  strain  is  notable  for 
(large  flower  spikes,  in  colours  orange,  yellow,  and  crimson. 
Faerie  Queene,  with  pale  lemon  flowers,  is  distinctly  pleasing; 
while  the  Dwarf  Yellow  Bedder  and  Brown  Bedcler  sufficiently 
indicate  their  characters',  and  each  of  these  Wallflowers  were 
seen  at  their  best  at  Bucklebury. 
At  the  south-eastern  corner  cf  the  house  a  formal  garden 
is  gaily  furnished  with  simple,  spring  flowering  plants. 
Named  Forget-me-nots  provide  contrasting  colours,  as  Myosotis 
Perfection,  a  bright  blue,  •  with  Narcissus  Barri  conspicuus 
M.  Royal  Blue  (the  brightest  and  best  of  blues)  below  other 
yellow  Daffodils,  and  M.  Perfection  White,  as  a  carpet  below 
N.  princeps.  These  named  Forget-me-nots  were  all  from  seeds, 
and  it  was  interesting  to  note  how  true  to  colour  each  had 
come.  These  notes  on  varieties  may  be  of  service  to  those  who 
desire  diversity  in  a  simple  way,  among  early  flowering  hardy 
plants. 
But  undoubtedly  the  new  Dell  garden  on  the  south  front 
is  the  choioest  feature  of  the  ornamental  grounds.  '  A  few 
years  ago  this  was  part  of  the  wild  woods,  and  he  was  an 
explorer  who  ventured  there.  Now  there  are  sloping 
lawns,  smooth-shaven  and  dotted  with  beds  of  Japanese  Maples, 
Genistas,  Double  Gorse,  Berberis  stenophylla,  Rhododendrons, 
and  many  other  shrubs.  On  page  183  there  appears  a  bird’s-eye 
view  cf  the  Dell  garden,  but  the  photograph  gives  the 
impression  of  a  flat  stretch  of  ground,  whereas  the  slope  is  very 
considerable  and  terminates  in  the  water-fall  and  pool  of 
which  a  forward  view  is  given  on  page  179. 
A  winding  path  encircles  the  inner  margin  of  this  large 
section  of  the  grounds,  passing  from  the  rockery  steps  (seen 
in  the  foreground  on  page  183)  downward,  first  to  the  right, 
then  in  a  noble  sweep  to  the  left,  clear  by  the  neat  little  lake 
containing  carp  and  other  fishes.  It  was  a  stroke  of  boldness 
and  a  successful  effort  of  judgment  to  introduce  the  rustio 
summer-house  with  its  heather-thatched  roof  and  accompany¬ 
ing  characteristic  bridge,  into  the  direct  view  as  seen  from  the 
rockery  steps.  Air.  Alexander  Wright,  as  gardener  in  charge, 
has  here  a  valuable  testimonial  to  his  skill 
as  a  designer,  and  he  is  a  most  successful 
cultivator  both  in  and  out  of  doors.  Our 
photographs  are  also  from  his  camera. 
The  rockery  pockets  and  the  artificially 
made  bed  and  supports  of  the  waterfall,  are 
composed  of  a  stone-like  concrete.  Since 
the  planting  was  completed,  the  numerous 
shrubs  have  now  developed,  and  the  whole 
scene  presents  a  view  suggesting  a  long- 
established  garden,  with  its  features  well 
taken  care  of.  The  Japanese  Alaples  already 
mentioned  have  shown  no  signs  of  deteri¬ 
oration,  indeed  they  are  perfectly  at  home. 
Azalea,  mollis,  in  variety,  have  also  grown 
well.  Hardy  Water  Lilies  find  a  place  in 
the  pools,  and  Caltha  palustris  is  highly 
effective  by  the  water’s  edge.  Thousands  of 
Daffodils  stud  the  grassy  slopes  among  the 
surrounding  trees  and  bushes  in  the  spring¬ 
time,  and  later  come  the  Foxgloves,  Verbas- 
cums,  Epilobiums,  and  numerous  beautiful 
and  choice  hardy  Ferns  as  additional  subjects 
of  interest.  Nepeta  Glechoma  variegata, 
the  white  leaved  Ground  Ivy,  flourishes  out 
of  doors  on  the  shaded  banks,  and  might  be 
oftener  used  with  the  same  success,  for  it 
is  quite  hardy.  It  may  become  uninteresting 
to  the  reader  if  description  descends  too 
much  to  detail,  so  that  the  names  of  dwarf 
alpine  Phloxes  which  thrive  so  splendidly 
here,  and  of  the  fine  collection  of  Geums  and 
other  hardy  flowers  need  not  be  enumerated, 
but  at  Bucklebury  the  aim  is  to  have  only  those  flowers  that 
are  worthy  of  the  labour  they  receive. 
The  kitchen  and  fruit  garden  is  in  good  keeping,  and  would 
require  to  be,  in  order  to  meet  the  demands,  made  upon  its 
resources.  Chrysanthemums  are  liberally  represented  and  gave 
promise  to  become  sturdy  plants.  Alelons  were  especially  fine, 
and  fruits  of  31b  weight  were  borne  on  each  of  the  plants,  five 
fruits  to  each.  Three  or  four  varieties  are  relied  on,  these 
being  Best  of  All,  Sutton’s  Scarlet,  Ne  Plus  Fltra,  and  Ring¬ 
leader.  Of  Cucumbers,  the  favourites  are  Every  Day  and 
Satisfaction.  Grapes  were  all  creditable.  Gloxinias  among 
plants  were  magnificent  :  I  had  seen  what  were  considered  the 
best  of  London  trade  displays,  and  the  collection  at  Buckle¬ 
bury  was  no  way  inferior,  but  rather  the  superior.  Caladiums, 
Crotons,  stove  plants  generally,  including  winter  flowering 
Begonias,  Caledonia  and  Turnford  Hall  included,  each  were 
nicely  represented.  Splendid  Fuchsias  are  grown  as  pyramids 
to  a  height  of  7ft,  and  are  placed  by  the  margin  of  the  lake  in 
the  Dell  Garden  during  summer.  Orchids,  and  especially  Cypri- 
pediums,  are  grown  largely  and  well,  hybridising  having  been 
practised  among  some  of  the  better  known  species  and  named 
progeny  are  now  included  in  this  collection.  Altogether,  the 
garden  and  grounds  here  are'  highly  interesting  and  instructive. 
Amid  his  breezy  surroundings,  the  owner  must  indeed  find  rest 
from  the  pressure  and  burden  of  business;  he  also  stimulates 
a  love  for  cricket  and  football  among  the  men  and  youths  of 
the  neighbourhood  by  providing  a  large  playing  field  and  suit¬ 
able  equipment.  Nor  are  the  quieter  recreations  omitted.  An 
ample  building  has  been  at  the  disposal  of  the  community  for 
some  years,  within  which  lectures  on  technical  subjects  are 
periodically  arranged,  and  one  of  the  most  useful  series  carried 
to  a  successful  conclusion  was  instruction  oh  the  “  First  Aid  to 
the  Injured,”  for  rvhich  certificates  were  awarded  after  examina¬ 
tion.  Billiards,  ping-pong,  draughts,  chess,  and  other  games 
demanding  skill,  fire  here  to  be  enjoyed. 
The  district  eastward  to  Aldermaston  over  the  great  Common 
of  6,000  acres,  and  beyond,  is  typical  of  the  finest  English 
rural  landscape.  Alagnificent  grass  rides  and  roads  seam  the 
surface  of  the  Whin  covered  Common,  and  here  and  there  one 
finds  a  brackish  pool,  starred  over  with  the  beautiful  aquatic 
Ranunculus;  Heather  and  Sloes  and  many  wild  flowers  cover 
the  knolls,  while  at  the  verges  are  Fir  and  Oak  woods.  Through 
a  great  Oak  avenue,  with  ancient  and  symmetrical  trees,  by 
Hazel  woods  and  Willow  holts,  meadows  with  their  kine,  and 
here  and  there  a  village  or  hamlet,  the  tour  is  made,  and  on  the 
Bucklebury  Place,  Woolhampton,  Berks. 
