The Vintage Contessa

It is a tantalizing array of frou-frou and advance stages of decay.

You are here: Home / Posts / GARDEN FLOOZY~ JILL JAMES

in Posts

GARDEN FLOOZY~ JILL JAMES

FIVE MORE DAYS UNTIL SPRING IN MY ZONE OF THE WORLD!

I CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE THIS GARDEN WITH YOU AND IF YOU ARE FEELING LIKE ME; A LITTLE PICK ME UP MAYBE ALL THAT WE NEED!

MARCH 20 th is the FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

Plus its my SISTER~ IN~ LAWS 50th BIRTHDAY

AUGURI ZIA GABRIELLA!

THIS GARDEN IS FOR YOU!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

TANTI TANTI AUGURI!

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE PULL HER EARLOBE FOR ME 50 TIMES!

(THAT’S AN ITALIAN THING!)

 

AS SPRING IS ALMOST HERE………IN Northern California where I am LOCATED I FEEL I CAN FINALLY SHARE A GARDEN FLOOZY WITH YOU!THIS GARDEN is in TASMANIA an island off the coast of AUSTRALIA!MY girlfriend in MELBOURNE had THE ITALIAN and I retiring here years ago!

WE have NOT had the TIME to ZIP down and check it out BUT I WOULD LOVE TO ONE DAY AND MEET JILL AND SEE HER GARDEN FOR MYSELF WITH MY OWN TWO EYES!

TO ME THIS IS THE PERFECT SPRING GARDEN.

I have NOT been able to grow LUPINE EVER!

SO, this took my breath away!

 PLEASE enjoy JILL’s PHOTOS!

I had her featured on AGELESS STYLE A few months back TAP HERE TO SEE THAT ARTICLE!

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN DRAWN TO THE GARDEN,OR WAS IT A PASSION THAT CAME LATER IN LIFE?

My mother was a very keen gardener and my interest in flowers started at an early age.
  My passion for gardens took on a life of its own after moving into my own home over forty years ago creating this garden.

DO YOU PREFER TO LEAVE YOUR FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN OR DO YOU PICK AND BRING INSIDE?
I do both, I enjoy admiring the flowers in the garden, but I also like to have a vase or two of garden blooms in the house, especially those with a scent.
.
IF YOU WERE INVITED TO A GARDEN SOIREE,AND ASKED TO COME DRESSED AS A FLOWER,
WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
I think it would have to be a rose, of the over blown heirloom variety.
An outfit using their shapes and colours would be so much fun.
Heirloom roses are one of my all time favourites.
WHICH OF THE FOUR SEASONS IS YOUR FAVORITE AND WHY?
Spring would have to be my favourite season, from early spring with the camellias, hellebores, bulbs and magnolias through to late spring when my roses and perennials start to bloom.  I also rather like the gentleness of a winter garden as it is a good time to observe the structure of the garden.
DO YOU HAVE ANY GARDENING BOOKS YOU ENJOY AND WOULD RECOMMEND TO OTHERS?
I do have quite a library of garden books on a variety of subjects.  My love of old roses was influenced by an Australian writer and rosarian Susan Irvine.  I have every book she ever wrote.For roses I recommend Classic Roses by Peter Beales, it is an encyclopedia of literally hundreds of roses.Garden Style by Penelope Hobhouse and the Cutting Garden by Sarah Raven are also favourites of mine.
DESCRIBE THE SCOPE OF YOUR GARDENING AND TELL US YOUR USDA ZONE (OR EQUIVALENT)?
My garden is larger than an average Australian suburban garden that has evolved over time to the typical cottage garden it is today,  filled with the plants I love.  I have planted a mix of camellias, magnolias, roses, perennials, hellebores and bulbs. Tasmania is Australian zone 9B, with mild summers and cold frosty winters with moderate rainfall year round.
DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM GARDEN?
I am drawn to formal French and Italian garden styles with their structure and statuary.  My favourite example of this is the Roseraie de l’Hay at the Bois de Bologna in Paris.  As I don’t have any army of gardeners, an English style cottage garden is more realistic for me.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST GARDENING ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Digging up the lawn in my backyard and creating the rose garden of my dreams with David Austin and heirloom roses.
WHAT DOES GARDENING GIVE YOU THAT YOU CANNOT FIND ELSEWHERE?
Working in my garden gives me a sense of peace that I find nowhere else.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FRINGE BENEFITS OF GARDENING?
A sense of accomplishment.
  Joy when a special plant blooms.
  Sharing the garden with others.
Forgetting your worries for a time.
The physical benefits of working in the garden can also not be forgotten.
 If you could host a small garden party and could invite anyone dead or alive to join, who would three or four of these people be?
Edna Walling, an Australian garden designer well ahead of her time,
 Vita Sackville-West, from Sissinghurst garden in the UK,
 and my late mother, who guided, supported and inspired me in the creation of this garden.
LEAVE US WITH A GARDEN QUOTE THAT SUMS UP WHO YOU ARE?
“The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies”  Gertrude Jeckyll”
YOU can find JILL JAMES on INSTAGRAM HERE at grownupglamour OR her blog at
SIDENOTE:
I have a WINNER for the BIRDIES SHOES from MY last POST!
I had these notes that are worth sharing!
“Delicious on my just turned 80 year old feet! “
“Your metallic Birdie shoes are SO cool and my feet would be delighted to be adorned with them! “
” I would completely FANGIRL out on you!”
“Regarding the shoes I would like them.WHY?Because when I wear them I would feel as regal as you are.”
“I have been shopping for these exact shoes and comparing them to other brands! I would love to win them!”
HOW DO I PICK FROM THESE FIVE LADIES AND THEIR ADORABLE REASONS WHY?
  SO, I put their names in a TOP HAT and swished MY HAND ALL AROUND AND CLOSED MY EYES!
TRA………LA!!!!
THE WINNER IS………….GINGER MCGUIRE!
 Congratulations and I will get these shoes mailed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
 XXX
SCROLL DOWN PAST THE FIORE (FLOWER) AND THE SUBSCRIPTION BOX TO LEAVE JILL A COMMENT!
ONLY IF YOU FEEL THE NEED……….

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I can’t grow lupines like that, but I did in Virginia. The native California lupine grows well here, but not as tall! Bushier, but not as stunning as hers.

    Reply

  2. What a stunning garden! I adore flowers but can’t seem to plant any that aren’t white! Green and white is definitely my garden palette. Although I do have 2 pink roses that previous owners planted. And I did plant a pink rose climber that umbrellas my front verandah . Both names escape me. But they are very pretty when in full bloom- despite the possums devouring them!

    Reply

    • WHITE & GREEN with a dash of PINK would be so ELEGANT SARAH……..maybe YOU need to be one of my GARDEN FLOOZIES!If WE can get YOU out of THAT CLOSET!!!
      XXX

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Sarah, I do enjoy enjoy a green and white garden palette too, always so fresh even on hot Summer days. Fortunately possums aren’t a problem for me but I do know they really love the new shoots on roses.

      Reply

  3. I enjoyed reading the interview you did..the garden seems to be a paradise..also for me gardening is something i love.. flowers make us happy inside the house and outside..
    Happy spring to all of us!

    Reply

  4. Oh my goodness – I am beyond ENVIOUS with this garden of delight.
    The variety of flowers/colours/sizes/scents makes me want to be there right now. Birds, bees and butterflies must have a delightful time
    I would definitely start my day in the garden having breakfast. Then I’d be back in the afternoon to have my tea and again later in the evening for a glass or two of wine.
    Imagine the wonderful tea parties one could host there. I would bring the garden too inside with vases of flowers.
    Thanks so much for sharing! I can hardly wait now to start planting.

    Reply

    • IT IS A STUNNING GARDEN!
      I THINK I WOULD JUST STAY PUT 24/7 while the BLOOMS LAST……….
      WHAT JOY AND HAPPINESS THIS GARDEN MUST BRING HER!
      BRINGS ME JOY JUST LOOKING AT THE PHOTOS!I KNOW HOW HARD SHE WORKED TO MAKE THIS ALL HAPPEN!!!
      XXX

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Rosemarie. I do enjoy spending as much time in the garden as possible. You are right the birds, bees and butterflies also abound. Enjoy your Spring .

      Reply

  6. I love Jill’s Garden style! Colorful- breezy-happy flowers! Thanks for this sweet tour. 🙂
    <3 <3 <3

    Reply

  8. STUNNING!

    THE COMBINATION OF THE PERFECT CLIMATE AND JILL’S SKILLS ARE A WINNER….JEALOUS, MY CHICAGO CLIMATE IS SO HARSH

    XO
    DEBRA

    Reply

  9. I can smell the floral fragrances from here! Such a lovely whimsical garden. A floral fantasy that takes my mind to a welcoming place!

    Reply

  12. Jill has a gift. I got on Instagram for this very reason, to follow beauty. The pink roses on arbor framing the pink cottage….dreamy. All so beautiful and even more inspiring to hear she created all this herself. Thank you Jill for the beautiful walk in your garden and to Elizabeth for sharing!!

    Reply

    • I COULD NOT WAIT TO SHARE THIS!I HAVE BEEN SITTING ON IT FOR OVER A MONTH…………..as their SPRING is different from OURS!I TOO GOT ON INSTAGRAM FOR THE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS……………and PHOTOS!It really does take you to another place!
      XXX

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Dee I am so glad you enjoy the stroll through my garden . Yes , the garden was all my own doing but do need a little husband help with the bigger jobs these days. I know Instagram sometimes gets a bad rap but I am the same I enjoy many different accounts to share the beauty .

      Reply

  13. I have never tried to grow lupines, but Phoenix is in 9B like Tasmania (are they the same growing zones?). I need to research that because Jill’s garden is amazing! Even though I am a Master Gardener I feel like there is so much to always learn about gardening. I dream about being a rosarian….Gardening is an ongoing, life long lesson. When I’m in the garden all my worries, fears and stresses go away. Thank you so much for sharing Jill and I cannot wait to see more of your garden.

    Reply

    • I did NOT REALIZE YOU ARE A MASTER GARDENER!
      Do check out growing LUPINE!!!
      MY GARDEN IS A MAY GARDEN…………….GO back on the BLOG POSTS TO LAST MAY!!
      Will not take long as I do not POST that often!
      XXX

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Mary . I couldn’t agree more gardening is a life long learning curve with continuing changing interests. I really am not sure how Australian and US zones compare. Best of luck with the lupins.

      Reply

  14. Wow!!
    Those lupines and lilies and roses…AND those double white hellebores took my breath away!
    Jill, you have the magical gift of a very green thumb…thank you for sharing your gorgeous garden.

    Elizabeth, I’m so happy you were able to find a happy home for your Birdies! I have the same ones and I’m in love with the comfort and the bit of glitz on my feet. Yes indeed they do run large…I bought a half size smaller than my usual and they are still a bit too roomy. Congratulations to Ginger on her pretty new kicks!

    Reply

    • OH, THATS FUN TO HEAR STEPHANIE!!!
      MAYBE A SOCK IS NEEDED?!!

      I AM THRILLED SHE ALLOWED ME TO SHARE!!
      I got a peek from some of the photos she sent for AGELESS STYLE and INQUIRED!!!!!
      SO HAPPY I DID!

      XXX

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Stephanie it was my pleasure to share my Spring garden. This particular double hellebore is named Betty Ranicar , named after a local grower .

      Reply

  15. What a lovely tour of an amazing garden. Jill’s Victorian colors are the same ones I have in my gardens. The display of everything together is stunning; this was such a treat to see. I like your expanded gardening questions as well.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Judith , glad you enjoyed my Spring garden . True the soft colours are so Victorian , the era of our home. Elizabeth does ask the most interesting questions , they give you an new insight.

      Reply

  16. A stunning garden! I love lupines.
    Gardening is such a rewarding hobby. Thank you for introducing us to this fabulous gal.

    Reply

  17. Hi Elizabeth,
    Oh my goodness, what a beautiful garden! I remember when you posted about Jill and her garden the last time. I was inspired, and hoping to have done more to my own little plot of land by now! Well, at least I can enjoy the fields of poppies and lupin that are blooming all around, and yes, I believe lupin does have a very light scent.
    It’s so inspiring to see what one person can do when motivated and dedicated and passionate!
    XO Heidi

    Reply

  18. Oh my goodness, what a beautiful garden. I am speechless. It must be a pleasure to just sit and look at those gorgeous colours and flowers.

    Reply

  19. Jill’s hat and jacket are beautiful, and her garden is spectacular. I would love to have an English country garden but living in a high rise in Los Angeles this is but a dream. Originally from England, my parents had a more formal garden with lawns and flowerbeds, the latter of which had many lupins when in season. I rarely see them here in Southern California. An aunt in England had a similar garden to Jill’s and it was always a joy to visit her and her garden. Thank you, Jill, for a wonderful visit to your very pretty garden.

    Reply

    • Thank you Caroline , it was my pleasure . Tasmania has a climate very similar to Southern England and this is evident in the planting of many of our gardens especially the gardens of the heritage houses. Your aunt’s garden sounds wonderful.

      Reply

  21. I love gardens. I remember when I was going to go to the Chelsea Garen show. Seems like ages ago, But I do love wild and wonderful gardens. I prefer the English to the French. Lovely garden in Tasmania. Always a treat to see any garden. Just Luscious.Mine is quite diferent in that I’ve got a native garden because of the drought in Southern California. We really are a desert. So trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear just doesn’t work. Sorry Banksy.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Sandra. A visit to the Chelsea Flower Show is on my bucket list . Our weather in Tasmania is similar to Southern UK and many gardens reflect this. I know many parts of California have similar climate to many Australian states and they have similar gardens.

      Reply

  22. Thank you so much Elizabeth for featuring my Spring garden . I now look forward to seeing your beautiful garden in all its glory. I have been working in the garden to get it in shape again before Winter sets in.
    I do hope we will meet sometime in the future , either in my garden or yours. Take care and enjoy the joy of Spring.

    Reply

  23. This garden is my dream! What a wonderful colorful and peaceful space. I am not a gardener and have never been one. I have no luck going anything and if I am perfectly honest, it is too hot here in the summer. I have 20 containers that I plant and do everything I can do to keep them alive. This summer/spring my husband and I are going to grow a garden, we have also striped the yard of all of the landscaping and we are going to give it a try. Wish me luck.

    Reply

  24. This is probably one of the most stunning gardens I have ever seen! Those lupines are amazing. I would love to get to Australia someday. Thank you Jill for sharing with us your beauty and the inspiration too. I am saving this and have to get myself out there and create something like this!! xo Kim

    Reply

  25. Elizabeth & Jill, I loved this post and am inspired by both of your gardens. Three weeks ago south Texas was in a deep freeze, and I lost all of my plants… ALL OF THEM! And I had them covered, but we could never have foreseen a week of subfreezing temperatures. I’m heartbroken. Starting over with everything. I’m in the midst of finishing a memoir and writing a book proposal, so I’m sad to say, planting will have to wait. xoxox, Brenda

    Reply

  26. Jill in Tasmania … your garden is heaven! If the Contessa and the Italian don’t retire there … me and my mister most certainly will! Oh, Contessa … this is exactly what I needed today. You’re right, nothing like a beautiful garden to pick us up and make us smile. I’m jumping into the car for a short road trip down south … I’ll be pouring over Jill’s garden in minute detail on the way. Love! Oh, and Happy 50th to your SIL! xo

    Reply

  27. The last time I saw lupines this lush and tall was along the back roads in Texas! Jill’s cottage garden is bee-utiful! She’s got everything going on, height, color, texture, variety… and the delightful scents must permeate every corner of the garden! I was very interested to learn that Jill’s garden has the same hardiness index as mine. My neighborhood in Ramona is also classified as 9b. My garden is mostly made up of drought tolerant varieties. Perhaps I might try to incorporate some native lupine plants in my garden just because I am so inspired to do so. Thank you for taking us to a wonderful garden on the other side of the world. I liked knowing what Jill enjoys about gardening. I agree wholeheartedly with what she said. Gardening is not only a creative outlet, it also deeply nourishes our hearts.

    Reply

  28. Thank you Elizabeth and Jill for the lovely garden tour! Such gorgeous colors and beautiful varieties! Absolutely captivating! I hope to visit Tasmania in the future when we can travel again and look forward to enjoying more beauty on Jill’s Instagram.
    A big THANK YOU and huge hug to you Elizabeth for the beautiful Birdies! I loved reading the fun Birdie comments and I’m thrilled to have had my name pulled from the hat! Thank you Stephanie for the good wishes as well!

    Reply

  29. Oh my gosh Jill’s garden is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much to both you and Jill for sharing. The perfect antidote to what we are having right now cold and gloom!

    Reply

  30. MAGNIFICENT… and so envious… Jill has the most beautiful garden…I can almost smell the roses…. Tasmania is such an exotic name and offers the perfect garden climate. Living in south Florida is v. limiting, as so many flowers need the seasons, I will always miss the lilacs and peonies and hydrangeas and roses of the north. There is nothing like a garden, nothing. It is nature’s balm for the soul and the heart…. XOXO

    Reply

  31. I stick at gardening. But I keep trying. I did plant some crawling roses and they did very well last year. But I was shocked when my hibiscus only blooms once a day and then the blossoms shrivel and fall off. Things I thought would be great went bust and things I planted on a lark, did well. I suppose I should read a book or something!

    Reply

  32. Oh so beautiful! I LOVE this garden – my favorite colors and everything! I’m definitely going to try the lupines with roses. That is just gorgeous! Beautiful job Jill, and thanks so much for sharing the interview Elizabeth!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

contessa_and_her_pig

La Contessa
Her musings and passions.What Inspires and Dazzles.Loving all things Worn and Rusted.AGE.The Grandeur of The Past.
Bottom line Contessa Chatter!!!
Copyright © 2022 · The Vintage Contessa | Designed & Maintained by TheTechnology-Therapist
%d bloggers like this: