29 Comments
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Jo Thompson's avatar

Lucy, I’m reading this at 6am just as I haul myself back to the show for the 26th 14 hour day in a row- your words make all those hours poured into this garden worth it. You got it xxx

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Melissa Harrison's avatar

What a great piece and MY GOD, WHAT A GARDEN!

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Eva i Årröd's avatar

Take care of your self, Jo! ❤️

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Siobhan Elliott's avatar

You've absolutely captured the beauty and the spirit of the garden Lucy, both in the images and your words. And totally agree about the broken prison system. Lovely to meet you (fellow JT fan girl!).

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Horticulturalish's avatar

Ah so lovely to meet you, Siobhan!

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JP Clark's avatar

One of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness.

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Tim Howell's avatar

Superb article and photos 🙂

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Twotrueleaves's avatar

Beautifully photographed and powerful words.

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Alessandra's avatar

This place looks amazing, I can only imagine the scents. I want to be there :)

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Katy's avatar

So gorgeous. I particularly like the bark on that tree 💕

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Alison's avatar

Wonderful post and beautiful photography, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Am I the only one that thought this garden should be Best in Show and People's Choice? Whilst I admire the work of Mr Ishihara, this garden is the one that I would love to have as my own. Also have a look at Jo's substack for the moment of magic with the light of sunrise coming through the garden... healing, restorative, exactly the aim of the garden and the project.

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Kate mcclorey's avatar

This garden was definitely the Best in Show for me - stunning and just so beautiful- the colours used and the feelings it evoked were 100 times more emotive than the depressing piles of gravel and stone in the other show gardens

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The Bird Soup Diaries's avatar

So beautiful! Thanks for the insider view of this gorgeous romantic garden 🌹

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Tessa Broad's avatar

Beautiful words beautiful pictures beautiful garden…all savoured. Thank you

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Linda Slow Growing in Scotland's avatar

There is great beauty and depth but most of all, at least from the on screen experience, it's an actual garden. As opposed to a concept. And you are so right about the broken system.

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Moira's avatar

Stunning photos, thank you so much. Your words describing the garden are sumptuous.

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Veronica Hill's avatar

It was one of the only 2 gardens I enjoyed (armchair wise) the other being the Japanese one. Love her colours, and it was an inspiring story. I guess I better get her book…

As a retired psychiatric nurse, I very much agree about the lack of sensible solutions. I’ve watched the nurse struggling to offer the care for their patients they have learnt to know, helps. The cuts have been vicious. The changes in direction, confusing. Care in the community a lovely idea but it takes a lot of staff, who can respond fast. I’m glad I’ve retired.

Thank you for the thought provoking article and the great photos!

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Anna Browne's avatar

Thank you for writing this and for sharing the photos!

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Pam's avatar

A thought provoking and powerful read and such an array of wonderful photos capturing the essence of Jo’s soulful design for those of us who couldn’t see it in person. Thank you

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