Whimsical Planters from a UK Institution - Gardenista
Whichford terracotta is easy to spot. Over-sized and lined up in a grand old potager, the tubs will be from Whichford. Photographs by Kendra Wilson for Gardenista. The sales yard at Whichford, near Shipston-on-Stour. Massive pots are kept in stock or can be made to order. The Italianate Pot, from £52 for a 15-inch pot. The Gothic pot, from £135, for a 16-inch high container. The Armscote pot, decorated with randomly applied bees, is inspired by a local beekeeping and fundraising lady. Wall pot inscribed for the Royal Botanical Garden, Kew. The bespoke service is very busy, for personal use and for larger establishments like Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Giant pot decorated with a gilded peacock, sculpted by Jim Keeling. There is a 10-year frost-proof guarantee, proudly proven by my own 20-year-old shell-patterned pot. The pots are made from a blend of three different clays, sourced from Shropshire, Berkshire and Gloucestershire (the latter, from Blockley, is a local clay). After blending, the clay is sieved and pressed, de-aired and then left to mature for at least three weeks. All the pots are hand-decorated and most are hand-thrown. Pots which can be lifted by one person are tossed through this hatch and caught by an attentive person below. The iconic lattice pattern is synonymous with Whichford and is influenced by Tudor designs. Every pot is stamped and also bears a mark from its individual maker. These very large pots which take up a lot of space (some are about three feet high) wait in a stock yard.