Garden
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The Front Cottage Garden
Early Summer
I redesigned the front garden in 2001 following the loss of a mature flowering cherry tree, a victim of the gales. A serpentine, partially paved “river bed” gravel path replaced the lawn. It is planted with alpines and bordered by reed-like day lilies, Dierama and Crocosmia. The flower borders on either side contain colour-themed shrubs, more day lilies, penstemons, sedum varieties and other cottage garden plants.
I have changed the planting balance over the last few years adding more roses including Ballerina, Blue for You and Rosa Gallica Tuscany Superb to replace some of the more tender perennials. Rose Purple Skyliner has been planted to climb through the structure of an old dead shrub. Escallonia varieties have been introduced into the boundary hedge to provide some strong evergreen accents during the Winter and ultimately to increase privacy. A garden is a continual "work in progress". |
Spring planting
The shade area is the focus in Spring with snowdrops, Daphne Jacqueline Postill, ferns and hellebores followed by astilbes.
Callicarpa Profusion was added in 2013, its purple berries adding Autumn colour and two tall Thalictrum, one with dramatic black stems, were added in 2017 to complement the existing tall purple Dierama to produce a fascinating transparent screen which moves gently in the breeze.impressive I added a giant Thalictrum (2015) to join the existing Dierama (Angels' Fishing Rods) giving a filigree screen which sways gently in the breeze. Autumn colour
Physocarpus Diablo, crab apples, roses and varieties of pyracantha put on an impressive show of Autumn colour with foliage and fruit . My garden is full of berries for the birds to enjoy through Winter and the Winter Honeysuckle provides food for any bees, especially bumble bees that emerge in a mild spell. There small drinking ponds set into the gravel path for birds and wildlife. Although this is a small garden I have included a rowan, Sorbus Vilmoranii, a compact variety with pretty ferny foliage and pink berries.
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The Side Fruit and Vegetable Garden
The raised bed
The vegetable garden is at the side of the house facing east and is planted with restricted apple trees (including my own grafted and trained step-over apples), garlic, climbing beans, mini sweetcorn, courgettes and other seasonal vegetables. A water butt and compost bin help to keep the garden organic. Golden Marjoram provides a pretty edging. The wooden raised bed is a recent addition it will be used for seasonal crops and propogating cuttings. The lead-effect square planters house bronze fennel, Verbena Bonariensis, Red Orach and marigolds |
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The Rear Courtyard Garden
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The Bench by the Pond
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The Vine Obelisk |
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The rear courtyard garden is South-facing with tender plants and restricted pear trees. A miniature quince tree has replaced one of the pear trees, Winter Nelis, sadly lost to disease. The frog pond, positioned behind the agapanthus, houses a waterlily and reeds and supports a healthy frog population. The bench provides the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine on a Summer evening and watch the swifts hunting for insects on the wing. It is very popular with visitors when I open my garden and rarely unoccupied. |
Small gardens should not be afraid of using large feature elements. I love my tall obelisk, it is sturdy and deep-set to support the vigorous growth of the vine, the dessert variety Muscat, and makes a real statement. This is a warm, sheltered garden and can support more tender plants including agapanthus. The pears also enjoy a warm, sheltered location. |
My Little Devil
A present from my daughter, Joanna, some years ago, she knows my impish sense of humour! He's looking quite glamorous at the moment, posing under the blue clematis, an unknown variety I grew from seed I brought back from a visit to Chelsea Flower Show.
All three areas of the garden are designed to give colour and interest throughout the Seasons. It has been developed to support bees and other insect life with carefully chosen plants and log piles. It is home to many of my painting subjects including roses, paeonies and hellebores. It is not intended as a "show garden" but is a personal response to the challenge of an "awkward" plot. I hope it provides a little inspiration for fellow gardeners with small, awkwardly shaped gardens.
It is my passion - but I love to share it.
It is my passion - but I love to share it.
