‘Prosperous Florilegium’ 2022

The group contributed botanical artwork to create this new Florilegium, capturing the plants in a Berkshire garden. For a long time a member wanted to paint and record the plants in her glorious garden, a mammoth task for one person. The idea of a florilegium painted by additional artists sowed the first seeds of the Prosperous Florilegium. A collection of botanical paintings by the artists of the Prosperous plants was a great project for members to produce a contemporary Florilegium of this garden.

A Short History of Mount Prosperous

The history of Mount Prosperous is interesting. The existing house is late Georgian and stands on the site of the original, tile hung house. This was the home of Jethro Tull, the early eighteenth century agricultural reformer, who farmed here.

Jethro Tull and the Farm

He is best known for inventing the seed drill and for his seminal book on husbandry, in which he dared to challenge some of the old beliefs. The farm still exists and is roughly the same size as it was in his day, at 300 acres. Even the individual fields are the same shape and size.

The Garden 23 Years Ago

The owner came to the house and garden 23 years ago. The garden was tired, municipal in style and rabbit ravaged. It had belonged to a member of the Wills family since the 1940s, and they spent from May to September in Scotland. This meant there was no summer garden. What they did have were the most amazing views, wonderful mature trees and glorious autumn colours.

Reshaping the Garden

Creating a lovely garden by reshaping, redesigning and replanting was quite a challenge. First, they had to rabbit proof the garden. They extended the herbaceous borders, built a ha-ha and increased the size of the pond. They also designed a leafy cascade running into it and created a wood walk with a tree house and nut walk.

Key Features and Views

They designed a swimming pool in the form of an Italianate formal pond. They put in eye catchers, an obelisk and a pagoda to emphasise the key views. A field running along the beech lined drive was turned into a wild flower meadow.

The Walled Rose Garden

The owner’s passion is roses, and she had always wanted a walled garden. With the added problem of deer entering the main garden, the roses had to be behind a wall. They found a suitable site and built a lovely brick and flint wall. She then designed and planted the rose garden, which for many years featured in David Austin’s annual catalogue. Now, 15 years on, it looks as if it has always been there.