![NOT GRAND, BUT STILL GREAT](https://cdn.magzter.com/1596011659/1678274658/articles/Usp_4I0za1678430444862/NOT-GRAND-BUT-STILL-GREAT.jpg)
OVER THE YEARS I have visited many “estate gardens” in the United States and abroad. I have always been intrigued with the concept of a garden where the owner can act on any whim and proceed to collect, study, cultivate, hybridize or propagate whatever interests him or her, be it roses, tulips, orchids or apple trees. Usually these owners are well heeled, sometimes even deriving income from a royal allowance that can allow for the dimensions of their estates to be measured in acres, if not miles.
Some French estate gardens (think Versailles) are exceptionally symmetrical and manicured, with trees and shrubs trimmed and shaped to perfection. There are English floral gardens with elements designed to be viewed from the upper levels of a grand manor. Italian gardens may contain classical statuary and water features, as well as some topiary and charming paths. Spanish gardens can incorporate an assortment of components borrowed from Greco-Roman, Moorish or Persian designs, such as grottoes, scaled-down temples or carved stone columns, the latter sometimes purposely made to look ravaged by time.
Unsurprisingly, many of these formal gardens were designed specifically to impress visitors. Often they required legions of gardeners, helpers or even enslaved people to plant, grow, prune, sculpt and generally look after some very demanding specimens.
This story is from the March - April 2023 edition of Horticulture.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March - April 2023 edition of Horticulture.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![WEEDING OUT WORRY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22795/1736063/8zb1rZvX51718803445529/WEEDING-OUT-WORRY.jpg)
WEEDING OUT WORRY
Two books give perspectives on gardening's importance to mental health
![Prized Perennials](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22795/1736063/R6HvTloMt1718802795202/PRIZED-PERENNIALS.jpg)
Prized Perennials
GAPS IN THE GARDEN? TRY ONE OF THESE AWARD-WINNING PLANTS AS A SAFE-BET FIX
![A TOAST TO CORK](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22795/1736063/W4Ota6t7j1718803750852/A-TOAST-TO-CORK.jpg)
A TOAST TO CORK
A trip to Portugal inspired Greg Coppa to peel back the botany of the cork oak
![THE GARDEN CENTER'S GRIP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22795/1736063/DFopeTOqj1718803334523/THE-GARDEN-CENTERS-GRIP.jpg)
THE GARDEN CENTER'S GRIP
SOMETHING WEIRD HAPPENS when gardeners enter a garden center. We change. Suddenly, somehow, we're overcome with this vague yet powerful, transcendental feeling of liberation, and we become aware of money we probably have and hopefully won't otherwise need.
![OUTSIDE OF THE BOX](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22795/1736063/IYwwjdygg1718802371617/OUTSIDE-OF-THE-BOX.jpg)
OUTSIDE OF THE BOX
AS BOXWOOD BLIGHT DAMAGES THIS STAPLE EVERGREEN, IT'S TIME TO LOOK AT WORTHY ALTERNATIVES
![NEW MOUNDING ANNUALS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22795/1736063/H0hnN2t0T1718801669861/NEW-MOUNDING-ANNUALS.jpg)
NEW MOUNDING ANNUALS
Also known as summer snapdragons, angelonias produce spikes of outward-facing flowers throughout the hottest, most humid time of the year.
![AN ANNUAL AFFAIR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22795/1736063/dg8Qx7iJQ1718801168950/AN-ANNUAL-AFFAIR.jpg)
AN ANNUAL AFFAIR
Combine a designer's best advice with the year's new varieties for a summer's worth of showstopping containers
![A Big Role for SMALL GRASSES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22795/1736063/8Z_fuHQli1718800880661/A-BIG-ROLE-FOR-SMALL-GRASSES.jpg)
A Big Role for SMALL GRASSES
The unexpected benefits of small native grasses
![GOLDENSEAL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22795/1736063/X7dhDmyVL1718800599099/GOLDENSEAL.jpg)
GOLDENSEAL
A woodland herb worth guarding
![RICHARD HAWKE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22795/1736063/DY2WNJ_wX1718799613228/RICHARD-HAWKE.jpg)
RICHARD HAWKE
Try and try again