The Garden

 

Since 2014 we have been re-developing our garden. When we first moved here in 2002 the garden was laid out to mainly lawn and island beds. Lovely though it was, mowing the lawn is time consuming and with the desire for more planting it was decided that the lawn should be dramatically reduced in size. Over a period of about 4 months, barley straw was used to clear the large expanse of lawn occupying most of the garden see 'Barley Straw Mulch' .

After clearing the lawn, the beds were laid out, edged with local stone and planted up. Mulch is applied everywhere - the pathways with woodchip and the beds and borders mainly with our home made QR compost and spent hops from a local brewery.  

The broders were planted up with a diverse range of plants including many native wild flowers, herbs, grasses, herbaceous perennials and shrubs. The intent being to look natural, beautiful, provide habitats and attract wildlife hence establishing ecosytems to prevent pests gaining stronghold. A varied range of insects, small mammals and birds are often seen frequenting the garden- a good indicator that the garden is attractive to wildlife,        

The garden will be opening for the 'National Garden Scheme' on July 28th 2019.

View across the garden over the monarda 'Mohawk' in the 'B & B' (bee & butterfly) border. This has formed a large drift from the the 3 small clumps planted 2 years ago. It is obviously very happy!

Borage thrives in the 'B & B' border. The bench, situated at a high spot in the garden, gives great views down the garden and roling hills of the countryside beyond.

The view down the mulched, long path leading towards the house. The path is flanked by the the veg plot and greenhouse on the right and a long herbaceous border on the left. The fabulous grey, upstanding cones of the korean pine and enormous rhubarb leaves , measuring up to 1m across, usually invoke comment from visitors

In the damp garden, where surface rainwater from the surrounding fields seems to gravite towrads, moisture loving perennials and shrubs have quickly established themselves. Perennials include ligularia 'The Rocket', inula magnificum, iris pseudocurus, persicaria amplexicaulis and angelica gigas.

Wildflowers such as tansy and borage are great attractors of pollinators amongst the ornamentals.

Angelica gigas and ligularia 'The Rocket' thrive in 'The 'Damp Garden'

The 'Hot Border' where monarda 'Adam' and lysimachia 'Alexander' make a great contrast

The view towards the house with summer in full swing

A hot sunny day early July 2018.

Astrantia putting on a stunning display

View across the garden to the idyllic countryside beyond

In the winter of 2018/19 we installed a new summer house as a place for visitors to enjoy as well as for our family when the visitors have all gone!