How to get the look! - Wollerton Old Hall

A return to Wollerton Old Hall to see this iconic garden in it’s summer splendour and an incredible opportunity to chat with owner and designer, Lesley Jenkins. I have the chance to ask Lesley all about how she and her husband John, created the magic that is Wollerton Old Hall.
Thank you Leslie for giving up your time to speak with us, a very special day that we will always remember.
www.wollertonoldhallgarden.com
0:00 Intro
1:30 How would you describe your garden?
2:06 How did you go about designing your garden?
3:52 Did you have a gardening background?
4:53 Do you and your husband have certain roles in the garden?
5:11 How has the theatre influenced the garden?
6:24 How was the garden built?
8:41 Do you have a favourite part of the garden?
9:56 Which other gardens have provided inspiration in your design?
11:48 Tips to improve planting
14:48 What are you most proud of?
17:28 Advice, tips and future plans
19:37 Summary, Goodbye and thanks

[@amyjones2490]

I’ll be watching this over and over. What I love about Wollerton is that one could live in this garden it’s not just something to look at like a show garden.

[@MurphysGarden]

Absolutely, it has a homely and loved feel. Thanks for watching

[@tr5598]

I agree Amy .. such a wonderful visit via Murphy's Garden 🙂

[@heartofdixieprepping4797]

Nothing wrong with a show garden.

[@pansyface00]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video. As a garden designer from the US, I visited gardens all over the world inc many many trips to the UK. I even did a week seminar at Great Dixter. Another very special place. Wollerton is one of my all time favorites that brings such joy to my soul every time I visit. It was so special hearing Leslie’s story. The garden’s hardscapes, as well as, her creative use of plants makes the garden so exceptional. I do like it better than Sissinghurst. Congrats Leslie. You have created something very very special.

[@MurphysGarden]

So glad you enjoyed the video and I wholeheartedly agree with you, it is a truly special place

[@carolfield8803]

Thank you so very much for taking us along. Love to hear her say it's not finished at all. I'm so inspired by your garden. ❤

[@MurphysGarden]

I know, it made me chuckle - oh to have a garden at that standard! Thank you for your kind comments Jenny

[@JanRonandArthur]

I love this garden.

[@MurphysGarden]

Yes, it truly is amazing

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

Thanks so much for creating this! I have 2 Wollerton climbing roses and it is good to showcase the garden that inspired the rose. I plan on visiting one day!

[@mitzi605]

Just lovely. A garden is never done, no truer words.

[@keenangoldsmith7485]

This video was beyond helpful. Thank you so much.

[@IGmuse]

Thank you for this lovely interview. Wollerton Old Hall is my favorite garden and I was so shocked to hear that Ms. Jenkins doesn’t see it as an absolute masterpiece because to me, without a doubt, it is one. My husband and I visited England in 2018. I did a lot of research and received some thoughtful recommendations for gardens to visit. We only had enough time to go North to visit Wollerton Old Hall or South to visit Sissinghurst. I chose Wollerton and have no regrets. After seeing many beautiful gardens including Hidcote, Wollerton was the absolute cherry on top of an amazing vacation. Everything about it from the structure to the color combinations to impeccable maintenance is perfection.

[@MurphysGarden]

That’s wonderful to hear, I agree with you. Lesley is incredibly modest (a very British trait) but I guess the fact that she doesn’t see it as a finished masterpiece drives her on, I can’t wait to see her new project next year! Thanks for watching Jenny

[@amyh3619]

Informational and inspirational! Yes, reassuring that mistakes are a normal part of the process for even the best gardeners. Onward and upward in the garden! Can’t wait for 2024 😃

[@MurphysGarden]

It was funny that Lesley still doesn’t think her garden is right! We would all love our gardens to look like that! Keep pushing on, the thrive for perfection, that’s what drives us gardeners onwards!

[@ginamansfield4376]

Thank you for sharing Wollerton Hall Gardens with us. I’m watching this tour & interview again in the bleak of Winter. Temperatures are dropping into the single digits this January weekend with expectations of snow. Burrrr… What a delight it is to view such beauty at Wollerton & hear such inspiring & encouraging words from you at the end of the KZbin. Thanks again!

[@MurphysGarden]

It’s so good to look at gardens in summer and remind ourselves how amazing it all is! At this time of year when it’s all a bit bleak it’s hard to imagine, roll on spring! Thanks for watching Jenny

[@TheWholesomeGardener]

A fabulous interview Sweetie! I loved your lovely, easy interview style with such great finesse and confidence. Lesley was wonderful and I think all of us novice gardeners recognise an element of ourselves in her quest for perfection!

[@MurphysGarden]

I was quite nervous about meeting her but I needn’t have been, she was lovely and it turned into an informal chat between gardeners. I learnt so much from her. Thanks for watching Jenny

[@TheWholesomeGardener]

@@MurphysGarden I would have been too. You were great! Ah bless her - she gave some great advice. Thanks again!!

[@stephaniestatnick]

Thank you for bringing us along for this chat!

[@TEPO--]

So very LOVELY. Thank you❕ ODE to the CREATIVE journeys of gardeners, as our hearts stir as we invision, dig, plant, nurture, grow and yes delight in beauty around us..... Thank goodness a never ending journey......

[@MurphysGarden]

Yes, gardening really is a journey and I’m so pleased I hopped aboard!

[@thegonzalezs4953]

Good morning, watching from Ohio USA

[@kristinaorton1047]

Love your channel as it is inspiring and down to earth . Gives so many ideas and great advice . Thankyou so much!

[@bohemiangardensandgourdfar8812]

Well that was very special indeed, what a lovely chat with this wonderful seasoned gardener. Her gardens were beautiful. I'll be trying to check out some of those iconic gardens you referenced. Really enjoyed this instructional, very pleasant viewpoint.

[@MurphysGarden]

Yes, I know some of the gardens Lesley mentioned but not others. Saw that Gardeners World last week was from Scampston in Yorkshire and it looks fabulous. I know Powis very well as it’s not far and it would be good to do a video from there in the future and hopefully some of the others too. Thanks for watching Jenny

[@flowerfairy1950]

Thank you. Wonderful. 🇦🇺

[@rachelbarth1271]

Fabulous interview and I loved the views of the garden overlaid. I'm very impressed with your gardening journey and grateful that you decided to vlog and share it with those of us who are intrigued by English gardens.

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you so much for your kind comments, I love that the KZbin channel has made me grow in so many ways (not just plants🪴)🤣 Jenny

[@stefkadank-derpjr1453]

This is one of my favorite gardens. I'm in the USA and would love to visit here. 12:08 My advice to those with this problem is don't be afraid to grab a plant you love and plunk it in the ground only to see it a year or so later and realize it does belong in another better place. I held myself back when I was younger by being so indecisive or holding plants in pots until they died 😔....I'm in Georgia, and we can get 94° (F) for days on end and if you forget to water. Finally, I got smart, and I just put the plant in the ground. Also, one of my favorite aspects of gardening is when I go from loving to hating or the other way around. A friend gave me a few lily bulbs a long time ago, and when they bloomed, I was horrified they were orange and dark purple (Royal Sunset). I kept moving them further back so I didn't have to look at them and I can't say what happened but years later I started to love them and now I can't live without them.

[@MurphysGarden]

I completely agree, some plants I’m not keen on grow on me slowly and others I really loved, I now hate. Gardening is definitely a journey, you never quite know where it will go next!

[@user-sy7lj7ds9f]

Great questions and interview!

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you

[@karenannaluisa3370]

Great! Reminds me of a baroque "gardentheatre" with hedgerows in Schloß Herrenhausen, Hannover where actors would step out of the hedgerows onto the stage (which was a stage with pebbles, a bit higher then the audience). You have a lovely staged garden! ❤❤❤

[@MurphysGarden]

Oh that sounds fantastic! Thanks for watching

[@dedewarren]

What a wonderful gift to hear from Leslie! Thank you for this WONDERFUL video. Bravo!

[@MurphysGarden]

It was a wonderful experience, glad you enjoyed it too Thanks for watching Jenny

[@jessicabradshaw3365]

So inspired! Thank you, excellent interview❤Your questions and video took it over the top

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you so much for your kind comments

[@VancouverIslandgirl]

Wow that was amazing , I will be watching this over and over . Thank you 💐

[@MurphysGarden]

It was such a wonderful opportunity to hear Lesley’s account of how she made her garden and so many valuable tips that we can all learn from Thanks for watching

[@Loters-ed4pf]

Thank you so much for this interview with the wonderful Lesley Jenkins. I love this Garden. 🌹🌺🌸🌼 Only seen it on screen. Hope I one day will se it in real life.

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you, Lesley is every bit as lovely as her garden! Hope you get the chance to visit

[@QueenAnnesLace13]

I got introduced to you by Danielle, she was speaking recently of things she would have done differently and the lack of time for all she would like to do in the garden, I hope she sees this; that even the most stunning gardens are not complete and are ever evolving. Thank you Jenny, this was very inspiring, to listen to Lesley Jenkins and to your words as well. It gives renewed energy of all we do in our gardens.

[@MurphysGarden]

So glad you enjoyed it. I guess any gardening journey is quite the rollercoaster of emotions from feelings of elation and excitement to doom and despair! We get incredibly frustrated with the lack of time too and not being able to get to all the things we want to but it’s only when you look at photos do we realise just how far we have come! To me, Lesley’s garden looks perfect and it was funny and reassuring to hear she feels exactly the same way. Thanks for joining us Jenny

[@Lealelan]

I've got a few Wollerton roses coming in a few weeks and just can't wait to plant them. They're gorgeous as are these gardens! Thank you for the tour!

[@MurphysGarden]

Thanks for watching, enjoy your roses Jenny

[@karynzaslow968]

Thank you for your tour and inspiration. A beautiful design never complete is so true 🌺

[@cloyne1000]

That interview was better than any on tv. Gorgeous gardens thought. Your channel is new to me and I’m just binge watching it at the moment.

[@MurphysGarden]

Great to have you join us and thank you for your very kind feedback Jenny

[@bellacopley1]

Fabulous interview. So informative and full of beautiful images. Thanks for sharing . 🥰

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you Bella x

[@daisyjo5358]

Wow I’m from West Michigan and man this is inspiring ❤Thank You

[@MurphysGarden]

Great, so glad it’s given you some ideas Thanks for watching Jenny

[@ecogarden3622]

Wonderful 🥰😍🤩Thank you very much!

[@vickimaiorano5763]

Thank you for sharing this. So beautiful.

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you

[@step7274]

Thank you for this. Will watch it many times. 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@MurphysGarden]

Glad you liked it, thanks for watching Jenny

[@suepercy8390]

Oh gosh it is beautiful. I cant believe I’ve never heard of it before. It must have been so limiting buying bare rooted plants. Everyone distains plastic but it taken gardens to the next level with ease

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you for watching Jenny

[@cathygrebe7691]

What a wonderful peek into her beautiful gardens. A must see when I visit. The tips are so helpful. Thank you!

[@MurphysGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@shirleyprescott1528]

I would love to visit this garden. I'm in the US! Too far to come... Thank God for YOU Tube! I love the process of this garden. I do'nt feel so bad when I make mistakes.! Thank you ..... I have watched this three times.!

[@MurphysGarden]

So delighted that you found it helpful! KZbin is great in that we can all shall ideas - just love it for that, I’ve learnt so much too. I’m in the process of putting into practice what I’ve learnt and I’m redesigning my borders! Thanks for watching, Jenny

[@denisewax5396]

Wonderful video, great advice😊

[@simranarora6393]

Love this video format. The commentary in the background and the placement of the video clips shows the amount of effort that you've put in

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you, so pleased you liked it Jenny

[@Tibetan2]

Your videos are always such a treat to watch - packed full of ideas, best practices, views of gorgeous gardens, and great advice from the experts. Thank you! 👏👏

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you so much for your very kind feedback Jenny

[@kathrineporter7845]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video and all the wonderful advice and knowledge shared.

[@MurphysGarden]

Lesley is a wealth of information and I learnt so much from her, thanks for your kind comments Jenny

[@2000disneyland]

Lovely gardens and wonderful ideas and inspiration. Thank you!

[@daiseegray9110]

What a beautiful garden 🌼🐝

[@imeldamayer-taylor2783]

Thank you, a great video. The garden is just amazing and so inspiring. I enjoyed the video very much.😍😍👏👏👌

[@MNH73]

This was a great pleasure to listen to! All I would say is that most gardeners are perfectionist and see flaws but i don't think that makes us pessimistic. In fact, I find gardening very optimistic- change is good and part of nature, failure creates opportunities (the dead shrub can always be replaced), the knowledge that bad seasons pass etc. But thank you, this was a beautiful interview 😊

[@MurphysGarden]

Yes, I completely agree. I reflected on that comment when editing and I did add that gardening makes us always excited for the future and the opportunities it brings, so we are really optimistic! Thank you for your comments Jenny

[@jaqmackie]

Stunning garden and enjoyed the interview very much.

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it Jenny

[@kanokjannarkthong8436]

สวนสวย และได้รับความรู้มากๆ ขอบคุณ ฉันรักการออกแบบสวน❤

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you

[@kristineshoemaker3679]

Well done!

[@jomassey4207]

Woolerton old hall have their own rose....ive been researching roses and was surprised to know there is a place name. Lovely garden rooms.....so pretty.😊 Interesting how gardeners are always changing their minds. Gardening is fun as we are learning about the seasons and what needs to be moved and shifted and pulled out. Ive made so many mistakes, over my 25 yrs of gardening, but am taking more time in mulling over the possibilities. I found her advice of mixing some tall plants in the front of the border, to keep the garden looking natural. Did you know that worm castings have a natural way to protect plants. It consists of chitinase, pronounce "kitenase", that disolves bugs exoskeletons!......so very good for white fly on veges.....just some information, you might like to know. Jo.

[@MurphysGarden]

Yes, I really recommend it, it’s a beautiful colour and smells wonderful too! Thanks for watching

[@philippevuillermoz1350]

Very good Thanks

[@vivercomDeus.]

Lindooooo😊

[@lisamiller7143]

Lovely

[@kohlrabi569]

Wonderful video! Simon Sinek talks about Infinite Games; gardening is the ultimate Infinite Game.

[@MurphysGarden]

Oh I love that, it most definitely is!

[@kohlrabi569]

☺️

[@BepNhaNgoc]

Chúc anh chị ngày mới thật vui vẻ ❤❤❤

[@LivingwithBIGdogs]

What a lovely woman ❤

[@kevinjamesparr552]

My ancestor built Powis castle but supported the wrong man for throne and so ran to France where he died broke

[@MurphysGarden]

How incredible, what a great family story. Powis is beautiful, have you been? It does look quite similar to some French Castles, I wonder did he go on to do some in France?