Glorious garden ideas from 5 country village gardens...

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I need to correct the tree variety at 07:55 - bizarrely I suggested it was a sycamore (without really thinking properly). The owner has now confirmed that it is a Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) as some of you have suggested. It's around 40 years old and it started flowering about 5 years ago. Tulip Trees only flower after about 30 years, so it is very special.

[@tanyastephens3187]

It's a beauty ...my friend has one that flowers. Yes, very special...

[@francineh.7825]

Your videos always show such beautiful gardens! Thank you for letting us hear the birds as there is nothing more peaceful.

[@adrabruzzese7610]

All these gardens are beautiful but Jackie Jones Parry's garden has to be one of the most stunning and seren gardens I've seen. The pond with the weeping willow and the other trees is so beautiful. There is nothing in the world like an English garden. I love how the English mix formal with wild. The you Alexandra for showing this wonderful gardens.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@jeremypearson6852]

I’m from the UK but have lived in Florida for many years. Recently, I visited family and was fortunate enough to introduce my wife to some Cotswold villages on a tour. Gardening in the UK is so much easier than Florida due to the oppressive heat. I would love to have a country cottage if I could persuade my wife to live in the cold.

[@idreamtiwasbackatmanderley414]

It is not cold, it is temperate. Cold is northern and Eastern Europe.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

England is really quite lucky in its climate because it's rarely too extreme in any direction, which makes our gardening easier (though it's been a bit challenging for the last few years)

[@Leekle2ManE]

As a fellow Florida transplant, a cottage garden can be grown here, it will just look different. Instead of Box, use Schillings Dwarf Holly. For filler shrubs go with Dwarf Walter's Viburnum or Golden Dewdrop. We do lack in blousy flowers, but a stand of 6ft tall Scarlet Hibiscus almost fits the bill and brings in the hummingbirds. Bush daisies, african basil make for wonderful flowering mounds. Blanketflower and Dune Sunflower are nice, flower-filled groundcovers. And if you want the somewhat spiky flowering bulbs, buy up some Amaryllis bulbs for cheap after Christmas and put them in. They won't flower at Christmas like most people want them to, but they will flower again and again each year. Or get some rhizomes of Blackberry Lily. And the best thing about a number of plants I mentioned is that they are native to Florida and relatively cheap. Which I personally feel is the heart of the cottage garden philosophy. Cheap, easy and local. And I guess I should add the caveat of "depends on where in Florida you live." If you are much below Orlando, the plant palette might change some. If you are near Orlando, though, Check out the Cottage Garden at Leu Gardens for some ideas.

[@julianh9980]

Move to North Mississippi! Cheaper to live, friendly, great climate 7b-8a!!!

[@jeremypearson6852]

@@idreamtiwasbackatmanderley414 it is if you’ve spent your entire life in Florida. However, as you point out it’s all relative.

[@GDSavingThePast]

What a beautiful little village to showcase some stunning gardens. thanks for sharing these little gems with us.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@LoriSavingWild]

glorius. My only disappointment is that your videos have to end, As a person with my own KZbin Channel I appreciate how much time you put into making your videos. Thanks so much. Your channel makes me want to live in England.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@lindamurns1245]

Always Always Always love your videos!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again.

[@vickimaiorano5763]

Nothing is as beautiful as an English garden in a Cotswold Village. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@darrisnelson5223]

We just returned home from a visit to the Filoli estate and Gardens in Woodside California today. The stately home with a massive marble fireplace, presidential size ballroom with gold leaf around the windows and a dozen massive chandeliers, and 4” thick curved top doors underneath 20 foot ceilings was completed in 1917. The gardens are even more impressive. There’s so much to see there. I intend to go back, maybe in the fall and certainly the spring. I was born in San Francisco and I’ve lived in the area my entire life of 68 years and have never visited these gardens before. I’ve made it my mission to visit as many Gardens as possible where I live. I will always remember the beauty of the gardens. I visited in England and Wales. I was overwhelmed when visiting Sissinghurst Gardens I would love to go back and visit again one day. Thoroughly enjoying your content! Thank you so much for taking us through such stunning gardens❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@dustyflats3832]

That has to be the largest climbing rose ever! Wow! Thank you for the tour!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

it is stunning!

[@clarecollins2547]

I love the tortoise garden with its tortoises!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

me too

[@maryanna6302]

Great photos of really lovely gardens! Thanks for the ideas ☺️

[@kathleenwilliamson174]

I love and appreciate that you include all types of gardens and variations of cottage gardens. There's always something to take away from your videos. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@debs-more-plants]

Another fabulous video of gorgeous gardens! You highlight the designs so intricately it’s fabulous! Lovely! ❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@sunitashastry5270]

I love this video. All the gardens are so picturesque!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

They are!

[@quercus21]

A slice of England listening to the bird song. Beautiful!

[@suzannefronzaglio2427]

This was so lovely to view all of these stunning landscapes and private gardens. I had to stop the video frame so many times, to just take in the breathtaking scenery created in these landscapes. The lush green lawns and trees, the contasts of color in the foliage of the tree canopies, and the rich tapestry of these English gardens just captivates me! Thanks for sharing this lovely tour of Cotswold private gardens.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@CeciliaPMiniatures]

The tortoise garden is great! I have five tortoises living in my garden (gifts from friends whose tortoises keep having babies each year, so they somehow need to "get rid of them") and I do need to make their area more garden-like, instead of the patch of grass with a small wooden house that they have now, poor things... That was great inspiration, thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

So glad to hear you enjoyed it.

[@mayb.wright509]

This is like a mini vacation! So beautiful and so uplifting when I'm struggling with my own space. Places I must add to my "bucket list." Blessings to all from Canada.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@catacombcatholic5571]

Really important video, Alexandra. For me, I am taking away the options for a central focal point. A classical idea, and a visual necessity in a garden. As a previous dog owner, I love how the German Shepherd is politely keeping an eye on you in the first garden. Aren't dogs so gloriously loyal?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

They are!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I’m here for the tortoise garden! How neat.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Isn't it just! x

[@juliepardo7767]

Now I want a tortoise garden!

[@HeleVicoryJohnson]

Thank you. Beautiful gardens.

[@bluesky7226]

Fabulous video, Alexandria! The cotswolds is my favourite!❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It is beautiful!

[@idreamtiwasbackatmanderley414]

Love the Cotswold! The gently rolling landscape, the golden color of the local stone. I went to stay there some weeks to improve my English when I was a teenager and fell in love with scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream. I am French so growing up I had heard lots of stories about English cooking, it was all false except for the school lunches which were truthfully horrendous. I love everything about the Cotswold. Sorry I erred away from gardening!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, you are right - the myth of bad British cooking does stem from institutional fare. Not quite sure why our institutions manage cooking so badly, but outside of schools, hospitals and other institutions, British food is now really good.

[@idreamtiwasbackatmanderley414]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden The one thing that still makes me shudder was a desert from the school menu: bright glow in the dark jelly together with cardboardy custard 😂😂😂This was 45 years ago. I am convinced things are much improved. This is why experiencing other countries, not as a tourist, is such an education.

[@helenachase5627]

More,more !!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'll keep looking!

[@helenachase5627]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I am in Regina sask Canada zone 3 b . I just saw the most gorgeous front garden done by peregrine landscaping. To see a spectacular garden in the flesh is a life changing experience. I really do envy you

[@LouciferFlump]

Oh wow! What a fantastic video, such a gorgeous village. Everyone seems to have a delightful garden, by the look of it. Anyone want to sell me their house..? 😜 I think formal sits so well alongside wild planting - they compliment each other so well. It’s nice to have both, if you can accommodate it. Those tortoises!!! So precious 🥰

[@skinnursern5852]

This is one of my favorite videos. The Cotswolds is such a magic place. The gardens were all different also. Very inspiring. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Cassieskins21]

Lovely video 👍

[@alisonbwise]

Lovely, Alexandra. Thank you 💚

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you too

[@minworks1626]

Thank you Alexandra, I always enjoy your videos. J

[@AristoclesPlaton]

I love your show, Alexandra. Lots of great ideas.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@missgunnkaurgrewal6492]

I m addicted to ur episodes But this one is so enchanting that I can’t get enough of it Simply awesome Wish was in such a climate n weather so that cd have such a garden Mine is so exposed to the heat wave of north India that such plants can’t survive here Love it

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, and we do know we are lucky with our mild, changeable, sometimes infuriating climate - it's very good for gardening even if we never know what to wear when we leave the house!

[@maryer364]

Lovely video. Thank you.

[@jefftaplin6544]

This is a lovely lovely vid! One of your best...but then again...they are all brilliant❤thank you for providing such inspiration!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@nicoles5852]

Lovely thank you. It was also lovely to pause and admire the cat!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@margaretmichelsen766]

How lovely, Alexandra. What beautiful gardens you have visited and filmed and edited. Thanks for such beautiful content.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Teena-yi9xw]

Thanks for sharing

[@kitchenGardenofficalchannel027]

More..more!!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I will keep an eye out!

[@johnjeffry780]

Excellent 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Poemsapennyeach]

Lovely.

[@catherineperry9513]

Thanks as always Alexandra - pretty gardens and twittering bird song much appreciated in this whacky world!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@threeriversforge1997]

Those were some truly magnificent gardens, and much along the lines of what I aspire to. A wonderful mix of formal and informal, all without seeming cluttered or compacted with too many different things going on. Much to think about, and I thank you for that!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@daiseegray9110]

Beautiful 🌼🐝

[@grettalemabouchou6779]

Thank you 🌹

[@SpanishEclectic]

94 Degrees (33.33c) forecast for today, and my poor roses here in Southern CA are blasted, so it was a joy to see these fabulous lush Cotswold gardens. Thank you, Alexandra! And as always, you point out such helpful things. My property also has a slope, which can be challenging. With our summers, too much concrete or similar hardscape increases the heat index, so things like bark mulch, sectioned logs, light colored sand, etc. help a lot. Trees are so important!! I was thrilled today to see the first flower on my young Palo Verde trees, given to me as foot-high twigs by a friend five years ago. I used to have a tortoise like that when I was a child; they are living the dream, lol. Lovely, lovely presentation. I'll have to watch it again. :)

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

How lovely to see your tree grow from a twig. Two of mine were planted from pips by a friend, and it is humbling to see how big they've grown.

[@womenup2024]

Thank you ma'am 💜

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You're welcome 😊

[@MyFocusVaries]

Such beautiful landscapes. Thanks for taking us along.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@benjaminmoore8623]

As somebody currently building a middle-sized garden (while actively touring the country for inspiration) - I see two very overlooked aspects: 1.) is how essential mature shrubs, trees and even brick structures are in providing a framework/ structure / background to annuals, perennials and the likes. Quite often when you look at these smaller countryside gardens, the plant variety and the absolute number of plants is not actually that remarkable or plentiful, but it's those other structural things that make them stand out. This is a hard pill to swallow for somebody like me that can get 000s of plants via wholesale and realise it's probably

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, I absolutely agree. I don't know if you've seen this video but it's about the structure of a garden I visited - it really was good: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGTUfYhtitGca5o

[@benjaminmoore8623]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thank you, will watch this!

[@geraldinefields1730]

Thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You're welcome!

[@nataliavalentina2341]

Gorgeous, thank you ! Your videos 🌿☘️

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

Stunning garden. Thanks for sharing

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@lorimiller623]

Agreed--tree trimming isn't the time to go with the low bidder!

[@dwoodbury]

Such beautiful gardens!

[@eaulaosolidaritea363]

Thank you, this was beautiful and inspiring.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tedchoi243]

how wonderful!

[@jcrane45585]

I love this!

[@barbkenas5663]

Gorgeous gardens, tfs!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

They are!

[@Aculturalsavagefromaustralia]

The black cat is adorable

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

The cats were wonderful, so interested in what we were doing.

[@johnsmith-ls4rc]

I love the colour of the cottage front door at 57 seconds into the video; I wish I knew the name of the paint colour. For that matter the painted woodwork in the second and third gardens is beautiful too (5.02 and 5.12) A lovely video to watch in general . Thank you for creating it.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you. I didn't think of asking about paint colours! But you are right that they make a big difference to gardens.

[@johnsmith-ls4rc]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Yes it's a great way to add another layer of interest. I have discovered I am rubbish at choosing colour schemes from a catalogue; It's best if I just copy somebody else !

[@LinusCello75]

The variegated sycamore looks like a reversion wasn’t removed for half of the tree.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, that's right. It's half variegated and half reverted.

[@putuandplants]

New subscriber here! I do love these visit type videos, I wonder if you could interview some of the owners and show any photos of where they started and or progressed over the years?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you. I do usually interview the owners and gardeners, just for this video, I couldn't set it up for practical reasons. Sometimes they have 'before' pictures - I agree that this adds greatly to the interest - but sometimes not. This video has before and after (plus garden owner interview!): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qH61k5yYmqxolbM

[@putuandplants]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Thank you for the link -- this is just want I wanted to see, perfect!!

[@Growaplant-ct1vr]

❤❤❤❤

[@MonogramistaML]

08:38 the rose seems to be Summer Song by David Austin. I wasn't able to find Summer Day rose.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@jrh80]

I love your channel; It’s so inspiring! I live in Atlanta and it is a similar climate to much of England with exception of sometimes having extreme heat in the summer. I asked an architect to create a plan for my lawn/garden but it feels too “perfect.” I live on a slight slope and the architect wants to level my lawn, but I like the slope because it’s natural. Are there any tips to make plantings feel more natural, but still English garden? I love bux balls also, but I’m not sure how to clump them or where to put them. Any advice there?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I don't know if you've seen this sloping garden and it's advice, it's in Australia but once again a very 'English' climate (and garden style) except in the hottest summer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaC7nXp6Ytl_jqc I would really caution against using box. The box blight and box caterpillar moth are everywhere in the UK and I know that the US and Australia are both concerned about its spread. There are some alternatives to box here (I'd recommend yew): kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6i3g2qMn7Wioac

[@eyedocmathew]

Wonderful video, must check out NGS as suggested. May I ask what is the plant on the trellis / wall in the background of where you were seated? It looks pretty !

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's Parthenocissus henryana, the Boston ivy. Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper) is quite invasive in some countries but 'Henryana' is a bit better behaved. We have to clip it back 2-3 times a year, but it's so lovely, we don't mind the extra work.

[@eyedocmathew]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Thanks

[@Flower_hoarder]

W🌳w‼️

[@giennefarcais6834]

Can you recommend a good real estate company for the Cotswold area? It may be time to move. Thank you!

[@tanyastephens3187]

Tulip tree? sycamore?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You're probably right. With five gardens to cover, so lots of different plants and detail, I knew that I wasn't absolutely sure about some of the ID. I'm not even sure why I said 'sycamore'! I will find out.

[@lindarice5783]

magnolia!

[@tanyastephens3187]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Yes, I can imagine.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I've had confirmation from the owner - it's a Tulip Tree!

[@einahsirro1488]

I think I saw a glitch in the Matrix!

[@jamesbrown9828]

That isn't a Sycamore its a Norway Maple

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Quite possibly. I'm not sure why I said it was a sycamore as I didn't check with the owner and there have been a number of suggestions of what it might be.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

Beautiful gardens. Not sure I would call wood pigeons and crows "bird song". But hey. Climbing hydrangea can be damaging to brickwork as it if self-attaching

[@pansepot1490]

Well, they are birds. Not their fault if you don’t like how they “sing”. 😉😅

[@LouciferFlump]

@@pansepot1490yes they’re all part of the tapestry, aren’t they? 😕

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you. I thought it was important to use the birds (noises, song) that was actually going on when I was filming, because then it's real. Had to bump up the volume a bit.

[@jamesbrown9828]

Those Apple trees are not old

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

They're old for apple trees which is why they are gnarled and have accumulated moss and lichen. It takes a good few decades to do that, but 'old' is quite a subjective concept - what's 'old' to me may not be 'old' to you.

[@LouciferFlump]

Oh wow! What a fantastic video, such a gorgeous village. Everyone seems to have a delightful garden, by the look of it. Anyone want to sell me their house..? 😜 I think formal sits so well alongside wild planting - they compliment each other so well. It’s nice to have both, if you can accommodate it. Those tortoises!!! So precious 🥰

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

They're lovely, aren't they?

[@LouciferFlump]

Oh wow! What a fantastic video, such a gorgeous village. Everyone seems to have a delightful garden, by the look of it. Anyone want to sell me their house..? 😜 I think formal sits so well alongside wild planting - they compliment each other so well. It’s nice to have both, if you can accommodate it. Those tortoises!!! So precious 🥰

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I thought the tortoises were lovely too. Thank you.