39 Comments
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Helen Taylor's avatar

Happy early morning hour with my cup of tea scrolling through all those fabulous Rosehip dresses thank you, Jo. Can you ever have enough floral dresses?? Now just wondering which one to pick….what a wonderful discovery. Love Cultivated - a bonus burst of joy to start my Friday xx

Jo Thompson's avatar

You cane NEVER have enough floral dresses... have a lovely Friday, Helen!

Julie's avatar

Outside is so peaceful; everyone is watching football, and I've just enjoyed reading Cultivated 📚 about flowers, books, and floral dresses—perfect. Thank you. P.S. Hope England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 wins 🤫

Sara Clements's avatar

I, too, found myself looking enviously at all the lovely parasols/umbrellas at Badminton last week! I did have a lovely floppy straw hat but wearing a hat does make me hotter - I do fancy a parasol or pretty umbrella!

Jo Thompson's avatar

Time to spoil yourself I reckon!

Larissa Baran's avatar

I just love this combination you mentioned

You are a genius ❤️❤️ any suggestion on some light colour roses that would also work well with this? I am gonna using this combi as part of our middle island but I want the left border to be a little softer. I was planning to use Olivia but I am looking at Emma and Olivia close to each other and they seem to be clashing? But my Olivia currently has an almost white color due to the heat!

Jo Thompson's avatar

Eustacia Vye would be lovely I think?!

Larissa Baran's avatar

Ahhh lovely idea. Thank you ❤️

Jo Thompson's avatar

Pleasure!

Jane's avatar

Oh, that’s my front door! What a lovely surprise! Off to water them again now…🥰

Jo Thompson's avatar

Ah THANK YOU Jane for sending in the photo - I love them!!

Jane's avatar

It’s made my day, thank you!

Lauren Munton's avatar

I bought an umbrella from Rosehip three years ago in a panic during a downpour at RHS Hampton Court flower show and it is still going strong (as are the shower caps they threw in!) - I can vouch for the quality!

Jo Thompson's avatar

That is SO GOOD to hear!

Lauren Munton's avatar

And they go through the wash!

Jen Baden Howard's avatar

Rich Tea biscuits and balcony serenades forever!

Jo Thompson's avatar

ABSOLUTELY

Elaine's avatar

Another great post. Thank you for the Garden Design Studio- I have loved every minute! It has been full of learning, laughter and challenge. I have been writing about my experience of it on my free Substack if you are interested in finding out more. Hopefully I’ll write a wrap up article in the next week or so. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who wants design their own garden. There have been a real mix of people and gardens on the course- some juggling it with full time work, family etc. and some retired with less commitments. I am very much an enthusiastic amateur! It has been wonderful to see the progress that everyone has made. Even though our plans may continue to evolve I think we now have the tools, knowledge and confidence to move from designing to making plans a reality. If you are thinking of doing the course I completely recommend it and I can’t wait for the Planting Design Course!

Jo Thompson's avatar

It's been wonderful and I'm so glad you've all enjoyed it. Honestly it was a very special moment seeing the designs as they are now, and comparing them to that initial photo form a few months ago! And your round-up posts are brilliant!

Miranda Worsley's avatar

This is so nerdy but I spotted Wild Strawberries on your bookstack. my freaky Wild Strawberries fact is that the annoying garden writer is based on Beverly Nichols, and he was furious about it

Jo Thompson's avatar

I ADORE this fact. BN does seem quite annoying.....

Miranda Worsley's avatar

But I loved his children’s books about the girl who lived with her grandmother in the trunk of a magic tree and her son turned into a fish

Jo Thompson's avatar

I need to look that one up!

Miranda Worsley's avatar

The tree that sat down and the stream that stood still

Linda Slow Growing in Scotland's avatar

So much to explore, thank you!

If anyone is vaguely interested in the Studio course, I can say DO IT!! It's been inspirational, transformational, all the -ationals, for my own garden plans, and getting to know other lovely garden people into the bargain.

Wonderful to read about the Glasshouse continuing life.

Those pyjamas! Sadly the 'Somerset' style is sold out, but I'm on the waiting list now! I have a pair of flowery John Lewis pyjamas and wear the jacket as a blouse in the summer.

Also with you on the no waistband, even tho I'm skinny. It's why I don't own a single skirt.

Look at that cellular blanket on the high bed. The ideal thing for summer.

Is reversing down a one-way street part of driving lessons/the driving test in Italy? It seems so standard.

Your house 'adventure' sounds considerable. Bon courage.

Jo Thompson's avatar

Thank you Linda - I loved seeing how your whole garden has come together. What an excellent idea to wear a PJ jacket as a blouse - opens up a whole world of possibilities......

Tim Howell's avatar

Wonderfully eclectic mix - always so enjoyable to follow the white rabbit (Jo) down various rabbit holes🙂

Jo Thompson's avatar

Rabbitholing is the very best thing on a Wednesday....

Veronica Hill's avatar

Lovely post! I feel I’ve been exploring all over the place! Biscuits. I love rich tea, shortbread, and florentines, you can keep the rest. ITALY! We stayed with friends at San Leo for a week 24 odd years ago, I have marvellous, huge plate made specially by the local potter there, a copy of a 15th century one. With our names on the back, and Easter 2002, in Italian of course. Then I went back to see in them in Bari in the autumn, to collect my plate. (San Leo was their holiday home, my friends grandfather had been the village doctor, and kept his horse in the kitchen, a stable then, so he could go out anytime of the day or night.) Father Christmas is buried in Bari…

Ollie Rowe post was also fascinating.

Now I must go and take the dogs out, the garden was watered at 7am, no ban here - yet.

Jo Thompson's avatar

oh and PS I'm with you on the shortbread too!

Veronica Hill's avatar

What, no florentines??

Jo Thompson's avatar

Not a big chocolate on biscuits fan !

Jo Thompson's avatar

I love that they kept the horse in the kitchen!

Veronica Hill's avatar

Yes, so did I, I came home and measured ours…., Bill put his foot down ☹️ Not sure where the original kitchen was, mind! Their house was right up by the fortification, and as Stefania spent a lot of her childhood there, we had free admission..

Jo Thompson's avatar

How utterly fabulous

Mary Wright's avatar

Such a lovely surprise to have an extra post on a Wednesday which such a lot to read in it. Love everything but especially the roses and the links to pot recipes and the nighties from Rosehip and the Italian driver and it all really. Thank you 🙏🏻

Jo Thompson's avatar

Ah so glad that it was a midweek treat!

Moira's avatar

Just perfect, Jo, I love everything and the colour is gorgeous. Your Penelope Childers dress is sold out but you can be notified; I really hope it comes back in stock. I’d not heard of Rosehip; isn’t it perfect? There’s a strawberry print dress I’m eyeing up. I do use an SPF brolly; these are good https://www.brolliesgalore.co.uk/uv-protection-umbrellas

Jo Thompson's avatar

Thanks Moira and they’ve said it will be coming back!