This is 'Lycklamahus' in the Dutch village of Beesterzwaag. In 1835, Squire Jan Anne Lycklama á Nijeholt moved into this mansion on the Hoofdstraat 80. There was a garden in the back of the house but also one on the opposite side of the street. It is in this garden in 1869 that he built a grapery and greenhouse in the gardens. The house is now the Town Hall but the garden opposite are now open to the public.
Note: click photos to enlarge and see more...
There are 4 greenhouse structures in all on the site. One is a coffee house, one a place for plants from the garden to overwinter, one seen on the collage below for tropical plants...
...and one which is the grapery. This is a clever construction in its simplicity. It has a sloping glass roof with little openings at the bottom for grape vine roots to be planted in. This allows the roots to remain outside gathering rain while inside heat is created by the glass roof and bright white wall.
There was a pretty pond full of water lilies in full bloom as you walk up to the gardens. I was taken with a set of beautiful pots, one which can be seen in photo 3. It was a piece of art.
But...
...my favorite and beloved thistles were the most eye catching for me! Imagine coming home from seeing these to find my own thistles would be blooming now too. I cannot wait to show you them but that is for another day.....
