Dyson Family of Worcestershire
© Jeff Dyson - November 2006
The present gardens (c.69 acres) were enclosed and laid out from the 1860's, when buildings to the north and west of the moat, including the old parish church, were removed Avenues of cedar, elm and oak were planted Between the walks daffodils and wildflowers were naturalised, and a walled kitchen garden with extensive glasshouses, and a rose and carnation garden, was completed in four acres north of the brook by 1865.
James Pulham created a rock garden of artificial stones south of this in 1878 A sunken road was laid to the back of the house in the 1890's The poplar avenue leading to a 'Greek' temple was first planted in the 1920's
West of the house a maze of yew was planted in 1893, south of an herbaceous border approached through an arbour of pleached limes To the east, a former bowling green became Caesars' Lawn, where busts of the Caesars are sited in alcoves in the yew hedge. Clipped yews now surround lawns where formerly there were flowerbeds, seen in photographs from the 1870's-1900's In the early 20th century the 7th Earl's children were
given their own flower gardens, now lawns, between yew hedges near the rock garden
In the 19th century two Head Gardeners dominated: William Cox, appointed in 1842 and William Crump (1843-1932) who succeeded him in 1883, when wages were £25. Is per quarter, plus 25% of profits from surplus produce. Cox raised the Madresfield grape in 1868 and the Golden Gem melon. Crump came to Madresfield from Blenheim, and in the 1880's-90's grew peaches, grapes, apricots, figs, pineapples and native fruits. He received the Victoria Medal of Honour in Horticulture in 1897. In the 1900's he raised two new
apples, William Crump, and Madresfield Court, and he judged, lectured and published extensively, even after retiring in 1919.
The current staff is two full-time and two part-time gardeners, under the guidance of Lady Morrison
Joseph Dyson remained at Madresfield until his death on 25 May 1902 aged 60 years. Martha his wife then went to reside with their son William in Acton where she died on 1st December 1904 aged 61
James Pulham created a rock garden of artificial stones south of this in 1878 A sunken road was laid to the back of the house in the 1890's The poplar avenue leading to a 'Greek' temple was first planted in the 1920's
West of the house a maze of yew was planted in 1893, south of an herbaceous border approached through an arbour of pleached limes To the east, a former bowling green became Caesars' Lawn, where busts of the Caesars are sited in alcoves in the yew hedge. Clipped yews now surround lawns where formerly there were flowerbeds, seen in photographs from the 1870's-
given their own flower gardens, now lawns, between yew hedges near the rock garden
In the 19th century two Head Gardeners dominated: William Cox, appointed in 1842 and William Crump (1843-
apples, William Crump, and Madresfield Court, and he judged, lectured and published extensively, even after retiring in 1919.
The current staff is two full-
Joseph Dyson remained at Madresfield until his death on 25 May 1902 aged 60 years. Martha his wife then went to reside with their son William in Acton where she died on 1st December 1904 aged 61