The Laskett Gardens: A Story of Love and Life

Rain pelted my head as I toured Britain’s largest private garden developed since 1945 but it did not detract from the delightful experience.  It was England after all so of course I was prepared to get wet.

The 4 acres that comprise The Laskett Gardens are a wonder in any weather.  Lurking around every corner is a surprise plant, ornament, temple, column or fountain.  The garden was developed as a series of “rooms” with vistas culminating in dramatic focal points.

The gloomy skies enhanced the intrigue of weaving in and out among the shrubs and hedges, never knowing what each turn would present.

But the most meaningful revelation came when I learned that The Laskett Gardens represents a story of the love and life of the couple who created it, Sir Rodney Strong and his wife Julia Trevelyan Oman.

“It’s unique___ the only truly autobiographical garden. It’s a statement about life in the arts, and love and marriage.  It’s a scrapbook of our lives,” explains Sir Rodney. The couple was blissfully happy together for 32 years, until Sir Rodney lost Julia to cancer in 2003.

Sir Rodney and Julia married late in life long after each had given up hope of finding a partner.  Sir Rodney says it was his first relationship.  When he proposed, Julia skipped over yes to confirm that Sir Rodney didn’t want children.  Instead the garden became their baby, and they used it to celebrate milestones.

Everything in the garden has a back story commemorating important events, people or pets, ranging from multiple cat memorials, to a temple honoring Sir Rodney’s service as director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Cecil Beaton got a bridge. Not surprisingly, Julia’s ashes reside in an urn placed in a garden room dedicated to her.

The Victoria and Albert Temple commemorating Sir Rodney’s service as director of the V&A Museum

In 1973, when the couple purchased a house dubbed The Laskett, in Herefordshire England, it was a bare single acre lot.  They leased the adjacent 3 acre field from a farmer, purchasing it a few years later. The gardens unfolded as money allowed.  First came the hedges, trees, shrubs and avenues.  Paving, sculpture and structures came years later when they could afford them.

The Belvedere was one of the last structures added to the gardens

Aerial view of the gardens and house from The Belvedere

Initially, Sir Rodney and Julia did most of the work themselves, employing a gardener for a one day, biweekly. Today, two gardeners maintain the place 4 days each week. 

Not all of the ornaments are real.  Much like the acclaimed designer Tony Duquette, Sir Rodney and his set designer wife didn’t care about provenance.  The Victoria and Albert Temple, for example, is a contemporary structure made from cement blocks.

When Julia died, Sir Rodney wondered how he would continue alone. Ultimately, he decided to renovate and rejuvenate the entire grounds, concluding that no garden can remain unchanged.  Today, Sir Rodney--now past 80-- doesn’t do much gardening labor himself, but he remains very involved aesthetically. In 2015, he donated the grounds to a horticultural organization for all to enjoy.  He says that a garden is like a painting, it is never finished.

It was fun to meet the very quirky fellow—don’t you love his custom Liberty jacket— and see his love and life story revealed so beautifully in nature.

I hope you enjoy my soggy photos.  Happy Spring.

The front of the house bearing plaques with Julia’s and Sir Rodney’s initials

The Yew Gardens and Nymphaeum were one of the first gardens planted in 1974 to create a view from the east side of the house.

The Nymphaeum

Credits: All photos by Lynn Byrne except for the group photo with Sir Rodney courtesy of The Decorative Arts Trust. Quote from Sir Rodney from the Daily Mail.