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Merlin Townsend

@merlinsblooms

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Assistant Head Gardener for the National Trust at Bodnant Garden. Garden Designer (BA Hons) & Plantsman (RBGE), currently studying for the RHS MHort.

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Just a few of the unique wrought-iron and metal work sculptures and hand rails seen throughout the wonderful #chanticleergarden . The railings echo and mimic the surrounding plants, never designed to be the main focal point but simply to embellish the garden situation. As Joe Henderson, gardener/sculptor/artist at the garden since 1997, puts it ‘At Chanticleer, we nestle our sculptural pieces into the landscape so they reflect the garden and become of the garden’. A young fox has also recently become part of the garden, slinking around the garden in a brazen manner. #chanticleergardens #bodnantgardens #pleasuregarden #pennsylvaniagardens by @merlinsblooms

An abundance of unique, stylish, sometimes luxurious and always functional seating options can be found @chanticleergarden, the inspirational 48-acre pleasure garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Designed and crafted by the highly creative gardeners over the years, the seating may be placed to frame specific views, to add character and complimentary design to a particular area and as a functional resting spot away from the searing summer heat and humidity. The benches and seats are sustainably made in-house from the trees that have been removed from the garden due to natural causes. The hardwood most used are the native white oak (Quercus alba) and the eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra). Such a creative way to help garden visitors immerse themselves in the beautiful pleasure garden. #bodnantgardens #chanticleer #chanticleergarden #gardenart #gardensofinstagram by @merlinsblooms

The enticing ruin garden @chanticleergarden with its sentry-like weeping spruces, Picea abies ‘Pendula’, guarding the entrance. The playful and theatrical garden room contains a stone table that doubles as a reflecting pool. In the flooded room are overflowing basins with floating faces intended to have the expression the sculptor, Marcia Donahue, ‘would imagine a rock to have, not anxious, but solid and meditative’. The planting appears to be enveloping and commandeering the abandoned ruin, with plants chosen for foliage, form and texture rather than flower, consisting of a mix of hardy and tender plants. A highly artful and creative space at the beautiful Chanticleer garden in Wayne, Philadelphia. #bodnantgardens #chanticleergarden #pleasuregarden #sissinghurst by @merlinsblooms

The brilliant Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville, Virginia, is dedicated to promoting fresh thinking and bold action on the history and future of plants, gardens and landscapes. It focuses on horticulture, landscape design and botanical art. The Biocultural conservation farm stewards the cultivation of heirloom vegetables and fruits and conserves them as living plants or seeds. The highly motivated and dynamic team there also donate a great deal of fresh produce to local food banks, whilst also supplying fresh food for staff and guests with nourishing, fresh fruit and vegetables during their stay. I was very fortunate to enjoy many of these generous meals courtesy of the brilliant chef Jason. I also attended numerous workshops on site including ceramic pot making, topiary classes, the art of shibori and paint making with Ginger and the great team. A brilliant and extremely generous foundation @oakspringgardenfoundation #nationaltrust #bodnantgardens #shibori #sissinghurst by @merlinsblooms

Bunny Mellon was an expert at the French technique of espalier, it has been used artfully throughout the Oak Spring garden. Most notably with the crab apple allée which uses the ‘Mary Potter’ hybrid variety to great success. This leads to the Victorian-style greenhouse, where two glasshouses flank an incredible central pavilion. Floor to ceiling doors conceal a very well appointed potting bench and other necessary storage whilst acting as a canvas for spectacular trompe l’oeil murals. Featuring many of Bunny’s favourite gardening items such as a favourite denim hat, pruning shears, a red geranium, baskets galore and many more. A recent restoration project by artist Fernard Renard has helped conserve the wonderful feature here @oakspringgardenfoundation #bodnantgardens #ntgardens #oakspringgardenfoundation #trompeloeil #sissinghurstcastlegarden by @merlinsblooms

Oak Springs garden in Northern Virginia, former home of Paul and Rachel ‘Bunny’ Lambert Mellon. I’m so fortunate to be spending time in such a tranquil and harmonious garden, with enticing meandering gravel paths and charming seating, artistically placed to catch the changing light of the day. The whole team have made me feel so welcome and have made every effort to ensure I experience the connection and support of each department, there is an abundance of positivity and generosity that I really appreciate. Bunny established the Oak Spring Garden Foundation before she passed away in 2014, it’s mission is to support and inspire fresh thinking and bold action on the history and future of plants, including the art and culture of plants, gardens and landscapes. Mrs Mellons legacy is being shared and perpetuated by all that passionately work, visit, and volunteer plus those fortunate enough to be offered an artist residency or a fellowship. I am fortunate to be on this trip in the US courtesy of the Sissinghurst scholarship programme. It is a collaboration between the National Trust and Sissinghurst Castle garden, this year saw a collaboration with Bodnant garden and, to cut a long story short, I have been fortunate enough to be offered this great opportunity to develop and understand the US approach to good horticulture whilst viewing first hand their adaptations to gardening in a changing climate. #oakspringgardenfoundation #bunnymellon #bodnantgardens #sissinghurstcastlegarden #nationaltrustgardens by @merlinsblooms

An abundance of blooming shrubs at Bodnant garden, a collection of shots during this outstanding weather.. WoW!! #bodnantgardens #ntgardens #nationaltrustwales #springflower #spring #floweringshrub #rhododendron #springcolours by @merlinsblooms

Autumn bliss at Bodnant garden #bodnantgardens #ntgardens #nationaltrustwales #ntgardens #autumn #autumnvibes🍁 #autumnleaves #ntwales by @merlinsblooms

The yellows of autumn. Just a few from the incredibly diverse collection at Bodnant garden, we’re almost spoilt for choice. Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Euodia danielii, Lindera obtusiloba , Betula ermanii ‘Grayswood hill’, Ginkgo biloba #bodnantgardens #autumn #autumncolors #ntgardens #bodnantgardennt #nationaltrustwales #autumnvibes🍁 #autumnleaves by @merlinsblooms

The rich autumn colours of the Disanthus cercidifolius, next to the stunning bark of a Stewartia pseudocamellia var. koreana. Beautiful complimentary planting.
#disanthuscercidifolius #autumncolors #autumnplants #autumnleaves #bodnantgardennt #bodnantgardens #stewartiapseudocamellia by @merlinsblooms

Rhododendron racemosum in the off season, however it is still turning heads with its reflective underleaf. Complimenting the neighbouring Acer griseum, a striking combination in the low autumn light. #bodnantgardens #rhododendron #autumn #autumntrees #nationaltrust #autumnbeauty by @merlinsblooms

The ephemeral beauty of Cladrastris delavayi, (Chinese yellow-wood). Collected by Ernest Wilson in 1901, a stunning tree with such a short season of interest. Well worth the wait and provides a feast for the bees 🐝
#bodnantgardens #bodnantgarden #ernestwilson #floweringtree #summerflowers by @merlinsblooms