Ah Plas Brondanw - how much do I love you? Oh so, so much.
I just happened to be staying at Portmeirion the other day for what was pretty much a flying visit. Just a one night stay but it was a needed pause. On the Sunday we decided we should wander over Plas Brondanw, my favourite favourite garden. I had failed to visit when I was there in May so this made up for this ommission.
What a joy it always is to wander around the garden at Clough Williams Ellis's family home. It feels like hydrangeas are stealing the show this year and here in this delightful part of North Wales it was no different.
Though the topiary is always wonderful here too. It is an important feature in this garden. Clough did not create a garden of lots of flowers, this is an architects garden, it is about structure and form,
and follows his guiding principles of architrecture fitting within its landscape. I have said before as have many others, this garden is a masterclass in borrowed landscape.
Clough inherited the house in 1908 and set about restoring it and the gardens. There has been a house here since Tudor times, it has been built on, developed, burned down and rebuilt. The gardens were a passion of Clough's and as he worked and earned money he would develop the gardens further. You can see the links between here and Portmeirion, they were obviously created by the same vision but Plas Brondanw is more subtle, more personal.
I have been visiting this garden for many years now, more than I can recall, so saying hello to the little fireman fountain is a must.
as is nodding hello to the woman with a fish on her head (or is it a platypus?)
The sweep of the lawn entices you to wander.
and the vistas pull you along the views to explore and wonder.
We said hello to the perfectly positioned black cat who was watching us.
and enjoyed the Clough structures and steps and the Portmeirion turquoise that works so well. The garden is quite arts and crafts; the hardscaping and the planting are harmonious together.
The huge gunnera just next to the loos is a total joy, worth going to the loo to find.
I loved the lawn labyrinth, one day I shall make one, one day.
Did I mention hydrangeas stealing the show?
We went into the gallery that is now open in what was Clough's house. What a joy that was. I was there with my brother who is as Portmeirion obsessed as I am and we were like children in a sweetshop. We were so excited by so many of the exhibits. There is now a lot on display celebrating the creative work of the family. We had some serious geeky moments I can tell you.
I could not resist this cushion and teatowel - they had to be bought. I have pottery with the teatowel motif on it and the cushion is very Clough inspired and designed by his great grandaughter and Susan's granddaughter Rose Fulbright.
The abiding moment from this visit was was this amazing standard hydrangea, they have some at Portmeirion too and they are just the bees knees. I want one, I have sourced one, expect a purchase soon.
More from one of my previous visits here:
Take care and be kind.