A Ballerina's Love For The Garden

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Photo credit- Pavlova Portrait of A Dancer Presented by Margot Fonteyn





Photo credit- Anna Pavlova Her Life And Art By Keith Money



Many people aren’t aware, but Anna Pavlova had another passion and that was her garden. After coming home from long tours overseas, she would relax in her retreat, which was her home called the Ivy House in London, England. A sanctuary of peace, specifically her garden, which she enjoyed immensely.  She used the garden to host amazing ballet garden parties . If you were invited to the Ivy House, you would always find yourself in the garden, as Pavlova always loved being in and enjoying nature. 




Photo credit- Anna Pavlova Her Life And Art By Keith Money



Anna Pavlova would often practice her dancing in the garden as there are many photos documenting this, as well as her enjoying a cup of tea or reading a book there. I believe her gardens were more to her than just a garden, instead it was her personal outdoor stage to dance in nature and a quiet sanctuary.  She loved being with the wild birds, her own swans and her dogs and cats. She loved to spend time with her loved ones in the outdoors.  The gardens rejuvenated her.


Photo credit-  Pavlova Portrait of A Dancer Presented by Margot Fonteyn


An interesting thing I have recently found; it's not just the dancer in love with the garden; it's also the garden in love with the dancer.  I have found many flowers with the name ballerina in their name, even trees called The Ballerina Magnolia Tree. This makes me wonder if some of those flowers were in Pavlova's garden or maybe they might have been named after her? I wouldn't doubt that she knew of these flowers since she was so curious about life and nature which I find really fascinating about her.


Photo credit-  Pavlova Portrait of A Dancer Presented By Margot Fonteyn

"A Garden? Oh, yes, a very big one, with all sorts of flowers. I dig the flowers, and work with them, make  them bloom all summer, and get myself  dirty like a pig, yes [ And she laughed and clapped her hands.]" - Anna Pavlova speaking on her garden

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