The English Garden June 2017 PDF

IRN
english
Y
G N BTHE
EN AR
W D RS
GARDEN
U 15
A 7
,0
A IG TH
ES OR
D W
JUNE 2017 For everyone who loves beautiful gardens www.theenglishgarden.co.uk
IDEAS from
CHELSEA
Inspiration from the
flower shows gardens
FLORAL
FLOURISH
Elegant iris for
colour now
Romantic cottage
gardens and how
to get the look
Celebrate early summer 4.40
Unusual flower and foliage HERBS

The perfect SUMMERHOUSE
Sow and harvest EDIBLE flowers
Intricate slate SCULPTURES
The NaTioNal TrusT GreeNhouse ColleCTioN
www.alitex.co.uk 01730 826900
Welcome...
CONTRIBUTORS
Katherine Sorrell
Katherine specialises
in interiors and lifestyle
W ater brings beauty to gardens, whether it is a mirror-like
reflection in the still surface of a lake, the relaxing sound
of a trickling stream or fountain, or the increased range
of plants and wildlife diversity it often brings with it. A calm moat
surrounds Birtsmorton Court in Worcestershire, while at Millwater in
writing, and has
authored 22 books, as Surrey it is used in all its forms: formal pools, informal lakes and splashy
well as contributing
to a range of leading fountains, as well as the old mill race. It is certain to play a part in the
magazines. She
explores the merits of
gardens at this years Chelsea Flower Show, too, which begins just as
a new summerhouse this issue goes on sale. Each year new trends emerge and weve picked
on page 89.
some of our favourites from last years show on page 97 but water is
unlikely to ever go out of fashion.
Bearded iris never seem to diminish in their
popularity, either. Perhaps it is the fleeting
nature of their exquisite blooms their season
is tragically short, but maybe thats why
we enjoy them all the more? The Manor in
Cambridgeshire nestles among swathes of
Annie Gatti
Annie is a garden
Cedric Morris varieties, while Claire Austin
writer and editor shares the expertise she has garnered from
with a particular
interest in design and years breeding and growing, on page 123.
sustainable gardening.
Her exploration of Jo Whether youre a follower of fashion or
Thompsons design of
a family garden is on
steadfast in your desires, I hope you find plenty
page 82. in this issue to inspire your gardening.
Clare Foggett, Editor
ON THE DIGITAL
COVER PLATFORMS
Gardeners Cottage, Purchase digital
Dan Pearson home of West Dean
head gardeners Jim
editions of The English
Garden for phone and
Dan is a world-
Buckland and Sarah tablet from the App
renowned landscape
COVER IMAGE NICOLA STOCKEN
Wain, photographed Store for iPhones,

designer and widely
in early summer and Google Play for
published writer who
by Nicola Stocken. Android.
has been making a
garden at his farm in
Somerset since 2010.
He explains his new The-English-Garden-Magazine @TEGmagazine englishgardenuk theenglishgardenmagazine
book on page 157.
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 3

For Gardens of Distinction
www.chilstone.com
01892 740866
www.chilstone.com
01892 740866
www.chilstone.com
01892 740866
Victoria Park, Fordcombe Road, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0RD
For everyone who loves beautiful gardens
theenglishgarden.co.uk
Tel: 020 7349 3700 Fax: 020 7349 3701

The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd,
Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ
Email: theenglishgarden@chelseamagazines.com
EDITORIAL
Editor Clare Foggett
Deputy Editor Greg Loades
Art Editor Jeremy Bird
Production Editor Vivienne Hambly
Online Editor Rachael Funnell
ADVERTISING
Advertisement Director Lyndal Beeton
Advertisement Manager Mark Wass Tel: 020 7349 3793
mark.wass@chelseamagazines.com
Senior Sales Executive Sachin Patel Tel: 020 7394 3733
sachin.patel@chelseamagazines.com
Group Digital and Creative Solutions Manager Ben Leek
Advertising Production allpointsmedia
PUBLISHING
Managing Director Paul Dobson
Deputy Managing Director Steve Ross
Finance Director Vicki Gavin
Publisher Caroline Scott
Circulation Manager Daniel Webb
Brand Manager Chatty Dobson
ONLINE
Digital Media Manager James Dobson
Digital Product Manager Ben Iskander
Digital Campaign Executive Emma Shriwardhankar
Digital Executive Jenny Choo
PRODUCTION
Reprographics Manager Neil Puttnam
Printing William Gibbons Ltd, Willenhall, UK
The English Garden (UK issue) ISSN no 1361-2840. Printed in England.
SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES
01858 438854
EMAIL theenglishgarden@subscription.co.uk
SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE SUBSCRIPTION RATES
The English Garden, CDS UK 66 (13 issues) From planters, fountains and statues to balustrades,
Global, Sovereign Park, Overseas 75 (13 issues) porticos and follies our stonework designs look fabulous
Market Harborough,
Leicestershire LE16 9EF, NEWS DISTRIBUTION when new and grow ever-more distinguished as they age.
UK. Tel: 01858 438854. Seymour Distribution Ltd,
Europe and Rest of World: 2 East Poultry Avenue, Browse our unrivalled collection online or
+44 (0)1858 438854. London EC1A 9PT, UK. call to request a catalogue.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7429 3667.
See us at
Chelsea
The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2017. All rights reserved. Text and pictures are
copyright restricted and must not be reproduced without permission of the publishers.
Flower Show
The information in The English Garden has been published in good faith and every effort
has been made to ensure its accuracy. However, where appropriate, you are advised to
SR35
check prices, opening times and dates etc before making final arrangements. All liability
for loss, disappointment, negligence or damage caused by reliance on the information
within this publication is hereby excluded. The opinions expressed by the contributors
of The English Garden are not necessarliy those of the publisher. www.chelseamagazines.
com: Publishers of The English Home, Artists & Illustrators, Baby London, Baby
Hampshire, Baby Surrey, Little London, Wedding Ideas, BRITAIN, Discover Britain, Cruise haddonstone.com
International, Independent School Parent and associated Guides, Racecar Engineering,
Classic Boat, Sailing Today and Yachts & Yachting. 01604 770711
CONTENTS
June 2017
Gardens Design
22 HISTORY BROUGHT TO LIFE At 82 SETTING BOUNDARIES Jo
Birtsmorton Court, Worcestershire, Thompsons design for a small
timeless gardens surround a perfect suburban garden appeals to all ages.
example of a moated grange.
89 A GARDEN ESCAPE Summerhouses
32 A TALE TO TELL The Manor at offer glorious retreat, whether large
Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire, or small, formal or informal.
continues to impress long after it
inspired the Green Knowe stories. 97 CLASSIC DESIGN IDEAS Excellent
ideas to take home from the Chelsea
42 RING OF BRIGHT WATER In Surrey, Flower Show.
formal style and watery informality
combine at Millwater, the garden of 147 A HEART FOR STONE Joe Smith
Gail Hughes-Morgan. has been working with stone
since childhood today his slate
52 COUNTRY CHORALE Oxleaze Farm, sculptures are very much in demand.
the property of Chris and Chipps
Mann in Gloucestershire, is the
epitome of a classic English garden. Plants
123
63 ENDURING LOVE The gardens at 115 HERBS TO SAVOUR Try growing
Ardmaddy Castle offer a tranquil these 10 unusual culinary herbs.
setting in the west of Scotland.
121 ROSY EXUBERANCE Carefully
73 A GARDENERS GARDEN In West chosen, roses can make superb
Sussex, Jim Buckland and Sarah container plants.
Wain return to a private, intimate
space at the end of each day. 123 RISE & FALL The blooms of bearded
irises are short-lived but compelling;
the varieties bred by Claire Austin
are no exception.
133 HALCYON IMAGININGS Cottage

gardens never go out of style. This
how to get the look.
141 INCREDIBLE EDIBLES At The Pig

near Bath, this is the time to harvest
tasty edible flowers for the kitchen.
Regulars
22
8 THIS MONTH A guide to gardens to
visit, things to do and nature to note.
16 SHOPPING Presents for Fathers Day

and bee-inspired accessories.
6 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017

elements to elegance
42
32
20 GARDEN PATHS Garden designer
Jo Thompson is renowned for
beautifully planted gardens.
131 WHITE LIGHT Adrian Bloom

considers Hydrangea Anabelle and
its ideal growing companions.
153 THE REVIEWER New book releases

and an interview with Dan Pearson.
IMAGES CLIVE NICHOLS; NICOLA STOCKEN; MARIANNE MAJERUS
162 LAST WORD Katherine Swift mulls

over the many reasons to garden.
Offers EXTERIORS | INTERIORS | BIG SPACES

80 SUBSCRIBE & SAVE Receive The
English Garden by post and save.
+44 (0) 1235 859300
109 FUTURE FUND Design a garden www.davidharber.com
and win a year-long Inchbald online
gardening course.
June
GARDENS TO VISIT
NGS GARDEN
OF THE MONTH
LARCH COTTAGE
NURSERIES
Home to more than
15,000 varieties of
plants, beautiful
borders and a variety
of styles, all encased
within Romanesque
walls draped in
greenery, the gardens
at Larch Cottage
Nurseries are a place
of inspiration and
delight. On 7 June, the
new lower gardens
and chapel will open
for National Garden
Scheme visitors. The
lower gardens include
lawned areas, wide
flowing perennial
Moated splendour
borders, a wealth
of rare and unusual
shrubs, trees and a
The addition of a moat turns a regular garden visit into a fairytale small orchard. A natural
experience. Here are five gardens that lower the drawbridge for visitors stream meanders
through the borders
THE BISHOPS PALACE HEVER CASTLE BADDESLEY CLINTON into a small man-made
The tranquil gardens of the The magnificent gardens at The gardens at Baddesley lake a haven for
Bishops Palace in Wells Hever Castle, Kent, sit next to Clinton, near Solihull, surround wildlife and birds. Open
(above), home to the Bishops the impressive moat which the moated 18th-century from 1-4pm. Admission
of Bath and Wells for 800 beautifully reflects the Boston house which is rich in history. 4, children free. Larch
years, are a surprising contrast ivy-clad castle walls. The Highlights include the Dahlia Cottage Nurseries,
to the imposing drawbridge castles traditional rose garden and herb borders, walled Melkinthorpe, Penrith,
into the medieval grounds. will reach its peak in June garden and wildflower and Cumbria CA10 2DR.
Look out for The English and July, a feast of flowers meadow garden. Tel: 01564 Find more gardens at
Country Garden Festival from and heavenly scent in a grand 783294; nationaltrust.org.uk ngs.org.uk
9-11 June. Tel: 01749 988111; Italianate setting. Tel: 01732
bishopspalace.org.uk 865224; hevercastle.co.uk HELMINGHAM HALL
Recently crowned the Historic
LEEDS CASTLE Houses Association and
Leeds Castle in Kent is the Christies Garden of the Year
perfect location for a family 2017, the Grade I listed house
day out, with a falconry, at Helmingham, Suffolk, can
maze and breathtaking castle be accessed via a bridge which
which dips directly into its stretches across the grand
surrounding moat. Tel: 01622 moat (left). Tel: 01473 890799;
765400; leeds-castle.com helmingham.com

w
ho
s at er S
u w
sit lo
Vi ea F 333
ls d
he Stan
HSC
R
Arts and Crafts garden restored

A five-year garden restoration project at the National
Trusts Standen in West Sussex has been completed. The
Arts and Crafts house was designed in the 19th century; its
accompanying 12-acre garden enjoyed a heyday in the 1920s,
but had become so overgrown a swimming pond, rock garden
and rare plants had all but vanished. The project to revive the
grounds, one of the largest the Trust has undertaken, began in
2012, and their rediscovered and restored original features can
now be enjoyed. Tel: 01342 323029; nationaltrust.org.uk
WORDS RACHAEL FUNNELL IMAGES NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES/ANDREW BUTLER
Garden Museum reopens

GAZE BURVILL
After being closed for 18 months while it underwent
a 7.5 million redevelopment project, the Garden
Museum in London reopens its doors from 22 May.
Visitors to the Museum, which is housed inside the Britains Finest Outdoor Furniture & Kitchens
ancient structure of St Mary-at-Lambeth, will now
also be able to see a new garden designed by Dan
Pearson for the site (above), as well as doubled gallery 01420 588444 info@gazeburvill.com
space, a larger, brighter caf and a new education
centre. Open daily, 10.30am-5pm (Saturday 10.30am- www.gazeburvill.com
4pm). Tel: 020 74018865; gardenmuseum.org.uk
June
PLACES TO GO
Spectacular cacti
CACTUS SHOW
3-4 June, Yorkshire
Expect to marvel at magnificent specimens
from this striking group of plants at this
annual show, organised by the Sheffield
branch of the British Cactus and Succulent
Society. The show, which is one of the
largest for cacti in the UK, is held at
Sheffield Botanical Gardens, one mile south-
west of the city centre. There will also be
a plant sale. Entry is free. Tel: 0114 2551756;
sbg.org.uk; sheffield.bcss.org.uk
Meet The English Garden

RHS CHATSWORTH FLOWER SHOW
7-11 June, Derbyshire
Were excited to be taking part in the Royal Horticultural Societys inaugural
flower show at Chatsworth House. Visit us at stand CHW261 to take
advantage of special subcription offers as well as purchase our bespoke,
20th-anniversary planter by Whichford Pottery. The show also features
gardens by designers Jo Thompson and Sam Ovens, a recreation of Joseph
Paxtons original Great Conservatory (the glasshouse he built at Chatsworth
that inspired the Crystal Palace) and a floral bridge over the river Derwent.
Tickets from 17.50. Tel: 0844 9959664; rhs.org.uk
LOOKING AHEAD: GARDEN FESTIVALS & FAIRS

WORDS RACHAEL FUNNELL IMAGES CHATSWORTH ESTATE; IAN THWAITES
CHELSEA FRINGE harvest and find out how to living, with talks, music and to be purchased on the day.
20 May to 4 June, UK-wide grow and cook this delicacy childrens events. Tickets hampshiregardenfestival.co.uk
This alternative garden festival during a weekend of camping, 6.50. Tel: 01531 660504;
offers a variety of quirky live music and cookery hellensgardenfestival.co.uk ARLEY HALL GARDEN
horticultural events, from demonstrations in FESTIVAL
making textiles with plants at Evesham. Tickets 12.50. HAMPSHIRE GARDEN 24 June, Cheshire
Morley College to concocting aspara13.squarespace.com FESTIVAL Find floral displays and
your own botanical lotions at 11 June, Hampshire nurseries at Arley Hall near
the Geffrye Museum. Prices HELLENS GARDEN FESTIVAL From plants to talks, food and Northwich, with guided tours
vary. chelseafringe.com 10-11 June, Herefordshire entertainment, there will be of the gardens lead by Lord
Now in its 11th year, the plenty to occupy visitors to Ashbrook and head gardener
ASPARAFEST festival at Hellens, near Much this festival, held at Bere Mill Gordon Baillie. Tickets
2-4 June, Worcestershire Marcle, aims to celebrate on the banks of the river Test 11.50. Tel: 01565 777353;
Mark the short-lived asparagus sustainable gardening and at Whitchurch. Tickets 9, arleyhallandgardens.com

INTRODUCING THE NEW CLIVEDEN SPA
Join us for a luxurious spa day or sumptuous
treatment in our indulgent new spa.
The perfect place to relax and unwind...
Opening 17th July 2017
Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0JF

Tel: 01628 607107
Reservations@clivedenhouse.co.uk
www.clivedenhouse.co.uk
June
THINGS TO DO
Grow your own salad MONTHLY

CHECKLIST
In the heat of the summer months, a cool, light salad is only made As the temperature
more satisfying by having sown and grown the leaves yourself rises and the days
grow long, remember
to keep newly planted
trees and shrubs well
watered to prevent
their roots drying out.
Make sure the

greenhouse is suitably
shaded to stop scorch
affecting those plants
still inside. Using blinds
or shade paints can be
very effective, as well
as opening vents and
doors on particularly
warm days.
To prevent plants
from suffering heat
stress, damp down
your greenhouse by
pouring water onto the
floor. This will ensure
the greenhouse stays
cooler and maintains
its humidity.
Supermarkets often sell bags as rocketgardens.co.uk also sell If you have chosen specific
During dry spells,
of salad leaves at a high price plug plants from which you can seeds, label each trench so you
keep the blades on
and with a very short shelf-life, pick and mix. know which leaves are where.
WORDS RACHAEL FUNNELL IMAGES JASON INGRAM; GAP PHOTOS/GARY SMITH; SHUTTERSTOCK
your lawn mower
but by growing your own you Sow seeds in shallow drills Finally, water the soil and cover
higher up to avoid
can ensure you have a regular parallel to one another and with netting to prevent birds
damaging the grass.
supply of crisp, fresh salad around 15cm apart. Sprinkle from feasting on the crop.
leaves all summer. small pinches of seed at a time Once the seedlings are large Take softwood
Salad crops need free- so theyre thinly spread along enough to handle, thin out the cuttings of plants such
draining, well-dug soil, so find a the drills, then cover with soil. plants to give each one room to as fuchsias, salvias and
sunny or partly shaded area of grow. Keep soil moist to ensure penstemons (below).
the garden and mix in compost, maximum leaf growth, and
removing rocks and weeds harvest a few individual leaves
as you go. They also grow from each plant once they
well in containers. Popular have reached around 9cm tall.
salad leaves, including rocket, Harvested this way, many salad
mustards, chard (right) and crops will keep producing new
cut-and-come again lettuces, leaves for weeks. Once lettuces
are available in seed packets reach their full size, you can
or choose a mix that includes also harvest the entire head,
your favourites. Garden centres leaving a stump from which
and mail-order suppliers such new leaves will emerge.

FOR THOSE WHO APPRECIATE THE DIFFERENCE
From conserving You can help
wildlife habitat safeguard our planet
and biodiversity, support Kews vital
to researching work with a gift
plants for food in your Will.
and medicine, Get in touch to find
Kew is much out how you can help
020 8332 3249
more than just legacies@kew.org
a garden. kew.org/legacy
The Foundation and Friends of the Royal Botanic
Gardens, Kew is a registered charity No. 803428.
Registered in England and Wales
June
NATURE TO NOTE
Woodland resident
Find a great spotted woodpecker in June
Appearance The great spotted woodpecker is relatively

easy to spot, with distinctive black-and-white wings and
large white shoulder patches. Juveniles have a red skull cap
and pale red feathers under their wings, whereas adults
have a black skull cap and bright red under-wings. Males
can be distinguished from females by the presence of a
small patch of red feathers on the back of the neck.
Habitat Great spotted woodpeckers are found throughout
the UK, apart from the far north of Scotland. The birds are
generally reclusive, and often cling to broad-leaved trees in
areas of dense woodland. However, despite their shyness,
attracting them to garden feeders is surprisingly easy. In
spring a loud and distinctive drumming marks territory.
What you can do Numbers of great spotted woodpeckers
are increasing, but you can still encourage these handsome
birds into the garden by putting out their preferred foods.
Try sunflower hearts, peanuts and suet balls.
Late-spring care Butterflies under threat

Little and often is the A recent report into butterfly populations points to
mantra for this time of year continuing decline of many local species
Check potted plants for small
The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme has (pictured) were found to have fallen
C-shaped maggots which could
revealed that in 2016 butterflies on the 48% year-on-year.
indicate an infestation of vine
British Isles suffered their fourth worse Much of the loss is linked to climate
weevil. Treat with nematodes.
year on record. change a mild winter and cold spring
Control midge numbers in Despite a warm, dry summer last specifically but there are small things
your garden by putting up a bat year, a condition that usually benefits you can do in your garden to support
box that will encourage these butterflies, 40 of the 57 species butterflies and other insects.
airborne predators to visit. monitored recorded a Introducing pollinator-
decline on numbers in friendly plants in sunny
If you have a pond, install a 2015. This ongoing fall patches of your garden
WORDS RACHAEL FUNNELL IMAGES SHUTTERSTOCK
toad house or log shelter for raises fears for the will offer stepping
froglets emerging from the long-term future stones which will
water this month. This will of many butterfly see butterflies
protect them from predators species, such as from one nature
such as cats and some birds. the heath fritillary, reserve to the next.
numbers of which Buddleja, lavender,
Remove blanketweed in
have dropped by Verbena bonariensis
ponds regularly to prevent it
82% over the past and marjoram are all
depleting the water of oxygen.
decade. Populations favourite sources of
of gatekeeper butterflies nectar during summer.

Reclaimed vegetable cart,
495. Tel: 01830 530433;
SHOPPING
ibbidirect.co.uk
V-neck smock, 72.

Tel: 01328 820699;
carriercompany.co.uk
Chasseur leather-lined boot,

340. Tel: 0330 3310707;
lechameau.com
Argentinian polo belt,
Fathers Day
49. Tel: 020 7758 4122;
cordings.co.uk
Perfect presents for fathers who enjoy Harris Tweed Scaladale bag,
65. Tel: 01859 502040;
gardening and the outdoors, from harristweedisleofharris.co.uk
high-tech tools to traditional kit

Gardena robotic
mower, 1,435. For
stockists, gardena.com
Dome60 Leggero
pizza oven, 1,650. Prince of Wales hip flask,
jamieoliverovens.co.uk 69.95. Tel: 0333 2224555;
highgrovegardens.com
Gardening gloves, 14.99.

Tel: 0114 2338262;
burgonandball.com
WORDS RACHAEL FUNNELL
Stanley flask, 32.99.

Tel: 01698 545454;
johnlewis.com

The
cutting edge
on British lawns
since 1962
Its a fantastic mower and I would definitely

recommend it to anybody. Ive used a lot of
mowers from different brands in my time
doing grounds maintenance and so far it is
Exclusive Twinclip Technology absolutely above the rest.
Andy AW Grounds Maintenance
With its hybrid chassis providing excellent stiness, a twinclip blade that cuts and recuts the
grass for a superb nish, and improved airow that means even more grass is packed into the
large 80 litre grass collector, the Mounteld premium roller mowers are the mower of choice for
Enjoy
those who want the best.
Electric Mowers Petrol Mowers Lawn Riders Lawn Tractors
your
from 99 from 169 from 1249 from 1449 save
up to
300
Garden
See the latest offers and find out more at
mountfieldlawnmowers.co.uk or call 0800 669 6325
Ultralight range -
Strength, with
incredible
lightness
UPTO
5
5 0
UPTO
0 %
%
LIGHTER THAN
RDAN
Strong
Strong and
and expertly
expertly crafted
crafted garden
garden tools,
tools,
LIGH
STAN DATH
TER
STANDARD in
in aa comfortable,
comfortable, ultralight
ultralight package.
package.
RRP RRP RRP
RRP RRP RRP
29.99 29.99 49.99
29.99 29.99 49.99
Ultralight Branch
Ultralight
& Shrub CutterBranch
& Ultralight
Shrub Cutter
990gm weight
Ultralight Bypass Loppers Ultralight Hedge Shears Ultralight 990gm
High quality weightSK5
Japanese
Ultralight Bypass Loppers
Ultralight 450gm weight
Ultralight Hedge Shears
Ultralight 670gm weight High quality
non-stick Japanese
coated bladeSK5
Ultralight
Non-stick 450gm weight
precision ground bypass blade Ultralight
Non-stick 670gm weight
precision ground blade non-stick coated
Efficient and blade2 way
effective
Non-stick precision ground
Sap groove directs sap awaybypass bladedefined cut
for a clean, Non-stick precision ground grip
Non slip soft touch comfort blade Efficient and effective
cutting operation 2 way
Sap groove directs sap away for a clean, defined cut Non slip soft touch comfort grip cutting operation
For
For more
more information
information and
and to
to find
find your
your nearest
nearest stockist
stockist visit
visit
www.wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk
www.wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk
SHOPPING
Sophie Allport Bees jug, 16.
Tel: 01778 560256;
sophieallport.com
HappySweeds Honey umbrella,

39.95. Tel: 0330 1233301;
cloudberryliving.co.uk
Vented bee helmet, 21.22.

Tel: 01227 833807;
bee-equipment.co.uk
Get the Buzz Beehive house, 15.
Do your bit in the garden to help Tel: 0333 014 8000;

marksandspencer.com
bees, and celebrate their crucial role
in our lives with these lovely gifts
Bumblebee brooch,
Napoleon bee cushion, 108.
40. bbka.org.uk
Tel: 020 7833 5010;
timorousbeasties.com
Bee Palace, 49.99.
Tel: 07774 444064;
beepalace.com
WBC Beehive, 490. Monthly honey subscription,

Tel: 01673 858555; from 14. Tel: 020 3302 5690;
thorne.co.uk localhoneyman.co.uk
Collins Beekeepers Bible,

20.40. Tel: 0800 2797234;
amazon.co.uk

GARDEN PATHS
Good Sense
Noel Kingsbury meets Jo Thompson, a prolific garden
designer and frequent exhibitor at Chelsea, known for
her beautifully planted spaces
I dont have an ego, says garden designer Right Jo Thompson.

Below A rose for
Jo Thompson. If they dont like it, they
nostalgia, Adlade
can change it its their garden. This is dOrlans.
reassuring news for prospective clients.
Garden design is a personal business, and
MY TOP 5
one that Jo sees as a collaboration with the owner
that involves a lot of negotiation, but her goal is to
try and make something that will work for them. PLANTS
Jo is not one to take a back seat, however; in
addition to her own design consultancy, she has
built gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for
eight years. She is, in fact, one of those designers
1 Rosa Adlade
dOrlans
One of the most
whose dedicated work helps make the Show the beautiful roses with

success it is, yet she is rarely described as a top semi-double flowers.
designer, a league almost entirely monopolised by
the minority of men in the field. This year, however, 2 Rosa Flicit
Perptue I can work with a range
she is taking a break: Im doing a garden at the new
RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, in a category which
Scented blooms on
a vigorous rambler. of styles but a garden has
isnt judged, and Im looking forward to the creative
freedom that will bring, she says. 3 Dierama
pulcherrima
to sit well in its place
I had no interest in gardening as a child, she Pink flowers arch
recalls, but then remembers that as an eight-year- from a clump of team moves onto the site several weeks before the
old visiting Italy with her family she was fascinated evergreen leaves. show opens. Fundamental to success is this team.
by the fountains of the Villa dEste. How did
they do it? she wondered. Then followed a degree
in French and Italian, a career in primary school
4 Pulsatilla
vulgaris
Rich purple flowers
A number of people come to join us every year, Jo
says. They are mostly people who have their own
businesses but give up their time to lend a hand.
teaching in London and, eventually, a move to the bloom above foliage Yuko Tanabe comes from Japan every year. I met
Kent countryside. There she had something of a in spring. Yuko in 2011, recalls Jo. She was my interpreter
revelation: We had a small garden and I contacted a
garden designer. As I was talking with them, I began
to think that I could do this myself. In 2003 she
5 Geranium
Catherine
Deneuve
when I did a garden at the Gardening World Cup in
Nagasaki and since then she has completely become
a part of the team, a fantastic worker, she really
enrolled on a course at the English Gardening School Star-shaped cerise knows her plants.
twice weekly, and launched herself into a new career. flowers grow on this Jos gardens are mainly in London and the south-
Jos gardens were soon noticed, and in 2009 she good clump former. east. They are varying sizes and I can work with
made her first, small, Chelsea a wide range of styles, but a garden has to sit well
show garden. Most of my Chelsea in its place. She is often asked to work on historic
gardens are realistic, she says. I gardens, something she suspects is because she likes
dont do conceptual gardens. I mean, to make it appear as if Ive never been there.
most real gardens you build do not Planting features heavily. A lot of my clients
have a story to tell an audience, they know their plants, in fact I think they come to me
are a space for people. What I like because they can have that conversation. She talks
about designing a show garden is about restraint and a lightness of touch, so the
that I am my own client. observant might say that is why she doesnt get top
Building a Chelsea garden takes billing at Chelsea but if I were a prospective client
around four months out of her that is an approach I think Id prefer.
IMAGES ALAMY
normal working life, and involves

a tremendous amount of planning Jos design for a suburban garden is on page 82. For
and preparation even before the the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, see rhs.org.uk

To request a brochure please go to www.gartenart.co.uk or call 020 7183 3333.
The water is amazing, its like Gartenart Swimming Ponds

swimming in silk. We had a couple Unit 105 Screenworks,
of dragon ies buzzing past us... you 22 Highbury Grove,
denitely feel youre one with nature. London N5 2EF
There were lots of things we wanted 020 7183 3333
to do to the house but this was the www.gartenart.co.uk
one thing that we felt everybody
beneted from. Having the pond has
made a big dierence to the way we
use the garden. We all love it.
Nigel & Mandy Keene Basingstoke
A wealth of flowering
plants in the White
Garden is Rosalies
pride and joy.
HISTORY
Brought to Life
Timeless gardens skilfully created by owners Rosalie and Nigel Dawes
surround Birtsmorton Court, Worcestershire, in a superb example of a
moated grange dating from the 13th century
WORDS VICTORIA SUMMERLEY PHOTOGRAPHS CLIVE NICHOLS

BIRTSMORTON
COURT

I
T IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE, AS YOU WANDER ROUND
the exquisite gardens of Birtsmorton Court,
that this medieval manor house lies under the
threat of a curse. From the waterlilies floating
serenely on the moat, to the arches and pergola
swathed with roses and Wisteria in the White Garden,
everything seems tranquil and harmonious.
Yet according to legend, Birtsmorton and its owners
lie in the path of the accursed Shadow of Ragged Stone
Hill, which brings disaster to those upon whom it falls.
Above Delphiniums, a The curse is supposed to have been uttered by a monk,
classic plant for height
who had fallen in love and broken his vow of chastity.
and colour in a traditional
herbaceous border. As a punishment, the monk was ordered to climb
Below Magnolia x Ragged Stone Hill, one of the Malvern Hills, on his
wieseneri blooms have hands and knees every day. Exhausted by this daily
a simple beauty.
torment, he eventually collapsed, and cursed with his
Below right Phormiums
in urns mark a gateway dying breath all those who lay in the shadow of the hill.
through the old wall. One victim is said to be Cardinal Wolsey, who was
chaplain to Sir Richard Nanfan at Birtsmorton, and
entered the service of Henry VII after Sir Richards
death in 1507. The story goes that Wolsey was sitting
under a yew tree in the garden when the shadow fell
upon him and he foresaw his own downfall and death.
The ancient yew known as the Wolsey Tree is
now almost as big as a small hill itself. Perhaps it is big
enough to block out the curse, because Birtsmortons
current owners, Rosalie and Nigel Dawes, have been
here for more than 40 years, and the only shadows that
cast any gloom over this Worcestershire paradise are the
result of clouds bringing rain from the west.
Rain can be a problem at Birtsmorton, because the
Dawes allow wedding parties to use the garden after the
ceremony in the church next door. There have been a
few tears, said Rosalie, when brides realise they cannot
have their wedding portraits taken in the White Garden
because it is pouring down outside.
On such occasions, the bridal parties use the Great
Hall, the oldest room in the house, with an immense

Above Geraniums, open fireplace, timbered walls
peonies and roses and coat of arms. In such an
deliver a first flush ofhistoric place Birtsmorton
colour in this
brimming border. Court is mentioned in the
Left Calm expanses Domesday Book there is
of lawn by the pool. always a romantic alternative.
Birtsmorton may be used
for wedding receptions, and head gardener Paul
Stockdale might joke that all those high heels are
great for spiking the lawns, but you wouldnt know
that this was anything other than a private garden.
As Paul points out, they dont use power tools,
or leave a rake or a fork lying on the ground when
there are children sprinting around, but then they
wouldnt do that anyway because Paul believes that
keeping everything neat and tidy is part of good
gardening practice. There is no sense of corporate
entertaining, or commercialism.
This is probably because the garden is very much
Rosalies own creation. She made the White Garden,

for example, in 1997, and began with four antique In late spring, there is Ammi majus, Ammi
stone statues, in what had been just a bit of grass. visnaga, white stocks (Matthiola incana), and
She then bought a lead tank, which was placed at the Orlaya grandiflora. These remain in place until
centre of the garden, and got a local craftsman, Mike after the gardens National Garden Scheme opening,
Roberts, to make arches for the paths and a coronet in mid-June, then it is all taken out to make way
for the stone pergola. for the summer bedding, which includes Cosmos,
Above Hostas, ferns and The entrance to the White Garden is through Nicotiana, antirrhinums, cleomes and one of
Solomons seal in myriad an avenue, or double row, of topiarised yews, Rosalies favourite pelargoniums, White Boar.
shades of green.
cut into blocks with rounded tops. Inside, the In fact, there is a glasshouse dedicated to
Below Paeonia White
Wings is dazzling in garden is divided into quarters, each with its own pelargoniums at Birtsmorton. This would be
its purity. statue, against a backdrop of white Wisteria and impressive enough in its own right, but then you
standard Exochorda x discover that another
macrantha. It doesnt
weep like The Bride,
The White Garden can glasshouse is dedicated
to nerines and
said Rosalie, because have its vulgar moments, Streptocarpus, and yet
but I like it best then

the standards allow the another to succulents.
branches of flowers to Most of the plants
spray out from the top are raised on site, either
of the main stem. from seed or cuttings, and Paul and his team still
The planting is a dramatic contrast to the manage to find time to do the kitchen garden.
formality of the yews. Wedding Day and Iceberg Paul likes to put his young plants on wooden
roses twine around the arches, and there are 16 platforms, similar to the wooden plant stands you
Wisteria brachybotrys Shiro-kapitan and four see in garden centres, because slugs find it more of an
Wisteria floribunda Alba. Perennial planting effort to get to them.
includes delphiniums, white-edged hostas, variegated To the west of the White Garden is a long
phormiums, and cardoons. herbaceous border containing an extraordinary
Rosalie also uses annuals to heighten the white, selection of peonies in every colour the hybridists have
frothy, lacy effect. The White Garden can have its so far managed to create, including Coral Charm. At
vulgar moments, she says, when it is almost too the end of the border, a gate in the old rosy brick wall
floriferous. But I like it best then. leads out into the meadows beyond the garden.

A tranquil and
picturesque moat, dug
in the 13th century,
surrounds the grange,
which mostly dates to
the 15th century.
The gate is another of Mike Roberts creations, path from the church is a little spring meadow, which Above Next to the house,
and was a birthday present to Rosalie in 1987. It in March and April is spangled with primroses, plants such as salvias,
Erysimum and catmint
is designed in the shape of an angel, and it is also scillas and snakeshead fritillaries. spill onto terrace paths.
popular with brides as a place to be photographed. The meadow is typical of Rosalies approach Below Soft-pink roses
Rosalie doesnt really get involved with the to gardening, which combines pragmatism with add a romantic touch.
organisation of the weddings, other than providing aesthetic appeal. She points out that you cant have a
the garden, but she does remember one particularly spring meadow and a summer meadow in the same
dramatic occasion. When it came to the moment place, because they need different mowing regimes.
when the best man hands over the rings, he didnt Of the two, a spring meadow is more practical
seem to have them on for her, because this
him. Then he stretched
out his arm and a barn
Rosalies gardening particular site is quite
damp, and spring bulbs,
owl flew in through combines pragmatism especially the fritillaries,
with aesthetic appeal

the open window and like moisture.
landed on his hand, You dont really
with a pouch containing appreciate a summer
the rings in its beak. meadow as much, says Rosalie, because there is
A few yards from the angel gate, another so much going on in the garden. But with a spring
archway leads north, into the potager, designed meadow, there is something new every day, at a time
by plantswoman Veronica Cross (who also has a of the year when there is not much else to look at.
wonderful collection of peonies), and planted with I think shes being overly modest. I cannot believe
pear and apple varieties chosen for their abundant there is ever a day when there is not much else to see
blossom. Topiary shapes bring a Beatrix Potter-like at Birtsmorton Court.
charm to the parterres, with rabbits, ducks, a squirrel
and chickens created from clipped box. Open for the NGS on 11 June, 1.30pm-7.30pm.
A path leads from the potager back towards the Birtsmorton Court, Birtsmorton, near Malvern,
house, past the church and a Wendy house built in a Worcestershire WR13 6JS. Tel: 01684 833 888;
Tudor half-timbered style. On the other side of the birtsmortoncourt.co.uk

BIRTSMORTON NOTEBOOK
A classic English country garden befitting of its historic setting
WEEDING THE HOUSE

Head gardener Paul Stockdales most intriguing
IMPACTFUL FOLIAGE task is weeding the house, which involves
One of the most striking plants in the garden is the giant butterbur (Petasites removing plant material from the brickwork
japonicus) which grows around the moat and along the stream, against a above the moat. This has to be done from a boat,
backdrop of topiary shaped like fondant fancies. The flower spikes appear but there are very few moated houses left in the
first, in February or March, followed by the leaves on stalks up to 90cm high. UK, so no one minds.
PORCINE APPEAL WENDY HOUSE

Rosalies husband, Nigel The half-timbered Wendy
Dawes, loves pigs, and there house here is Victorian, ANCIENT MOATS
are many representations of but Flights of Fantasy The moat is fed by water from the Malvern Hills, via the
these in the garden, including (flightsoffantasy.co.uk) Westminster Pool, so-called because it is reputed to be the
a copy of Il Porcellino, the and Enchanted Creations same size as the nave of Westminster Abbey, and was dug in
statue of the boar on the (enchantedcreations.co.uk) 1269, the year in which the Abbey was consecrated. A second
fountain in the Via Calimala can build bespoke playhouses moat lies to the east of the house, originally dug to create
in Florence. in period styles. a night-time sanctuary for livestock. Both are full of fish.

PART EXCHANGE THE WOEFUL
FOR THE WONDERFUL!
With the Hayter Old Mower Amnesty, theres never been

a better time to upgrade a woeful old lawnmower with
a wonderful new Hayter. Simply bring in your old mower
(we wont look), and well offer up to 100 off selected
Hayter lawnmowers. Theres even 50 off the all new
Harrier 41 with its aluminium deck, wash out port
and split rear roller perfect for creating stripes on
a small to medium sized lawn.
See www.hayter.co.uk/amnesty for details

or call 0800 781 7159 to request a brochure.
*Terms & conditions apply. Part exchange value varies by mower type purchased.
See website or ask instore for full details. Offer available 31st March 2017 to 30th June 2017.
A Tale
TO TELL
The setting for Lucy M Bostons Green Knowe stories, The Manor at
Hemingford Grey, in Cambridgeshire, is surrounded by a magical garden
filled with old yew topiary and an enviable collection of bearded irises
WORDS JACKIE BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHS MARIANNE MAJERUS

THE MANOR
Irises define a view

across the lawn
towards shapely
topiary near the
centuries-old manor.

I
MAGINE YOU ARE A CHILD, LIVING IN ONE OF
the oldest continuously inhabited houses
in England, with creaking stairs and thick
stone walls, surrounded by a garden full of
giant topiary and enclosed by a moat.
If that sounds in any way familiar, then you
might have been one of the children of the 1950s
and 1960s who fell in love with the Green Knowe
stories by Lucy M Boston. At the age of 47, Lucy
moved to the village of Hemingford Grey near St
Ives, Cambridgeshire, and it was The Manor
dating back to 1130 and the garden she made there
that inspired her to write the novels. For Lucy, fact
became fiction.
Living in the house and garden made famous by
her mother-in-law is now the lot of Diana Boston
who married Lucys son, Peter, an architect and
illustrator of his mothers books. We offered
to move in with Lucy as we were worried about
her living in such a cold house at the age of 95,
remembers Diana. She thought about it for a bit
and then said Thank you very much for the kind
thought but I think it would get in the way of my
social life. Diana and Peter eventually moved in
when Lucy had a stroke in March 1990. She died in
May that year, just as the irises were about to bloom.
Lucy Boston had carried on gardening until the
day of her stroke, but the four-acre gardens had
become overgrown; the old roses and bearded irises,
for which the garden was famous, had become
Below Iris Great Lakes, invaded with couch grass, and the Grade I listed
Star Shine and Great house required major works. When Lucy died, aged
Gable fill a border. 97, Peter and Diana inherited a crumbling moated
Below right For Diana
house and a debt of 87,000. Our friends advised
Boston, selling The
Manor upon inheritance selling it to someone wealthy who could pour money
was unthinkable. into it, but that wasnt an option, remembers Diana.

Inheriting the property was like inheriting a difficult more than two fields. Already a painter, she turned Above Bearded irises fill
baby you dont give up, you just keep going. her artistic skill to gardening and over the next 30 a border edging a lawn
accented with yew
Then, nine years into their new life, Peter died years began to nurture her dual passions for old roses topiary. Diana calls the
unexpectedly. Diana had to make the big decision and bearded irises. She sought advice from the great topiary her old ladies.
of whether to sell or keep The Manor. I decided to rose expert, Graham Stuart Thomas, and he chose
stay on, because I didnt want to waste all the work many of the plants from his Sunningdale nursery.
and effort Peter and I had put into it, to pay back In summer Lucy gardened, and in winter she wrote
the debts and make it viable again. The garden was her books and created beautiful patchworks. The
already open to the public, but Diana set her mind to patchworks now form an important collection in the
anything that would make money, including hosting house and are visited by textile enthusiasts from all
weddings and arts events. over the world.
When Lucy Boston had bought the house in 1939 In the year Lucy died, the irises didnt flower
after the break up of her marriage, the garden was no well, says Diana. Peter and I were just deciding

The contrast of
profusion and
formality is part
of what makes the
garden compelling.

THE STORY
OF GREEN
KNOWE
The Manor at Hemingford
Grey, and particularly the
garden were the inspiration
for Lucy M Bostons series
of six childrens book,
beginning with The Children
of Green Knowe and
finishing with The Stones of
Green Knowe. Almost all her
other books, including The
Castle of Yew, feature the
house and garden in some
shape or form, often thinly
disguised.
In the Children of Green
Knowe story, a little boy
arrives at the old house and
is entranced by the wooded
to take them all out when the following year they garden, the giant topiary
Above Benton Olive,
Beotie, Benton Opal, flowered their socks off. I was smitten. shapes and its wilder parts.
Benton Nutkin, Benton Through his meetings with
Many of these irises were Dykes medal winners,
Deidre and Benton the former inhabitants of
Lorna fill garden beds. and Lucy had acquired several from the artist Cedric
Morris who was breeding irises at Benton End in Green Knowe he finds a
Below Paeonia lactiflora
Sarah Bernhardt is Essex. Diana asked Sarah Cook, who has extensively home. The novel was made
always compelling. into a BBC television series
researched the Cedric Morris irises to come and help
name them and to exchange plants. in the 1980s.
In fact, as readers of The Children of Green Lucy Boston was born in
Knowe will recall, the garden is prone to flooding, 1892 and bought the house
sitting as it does on the flood plain of the river Great at Hemingford Grey in 1939,
Ouse which couldnt be worse for bearded irises. taking two years to restore
Often, the irises have wet feet for three weeks of it by far the happiest of
the year and when the water retreats, they are left my life she writes in her
unstable, half in and half out of the ground, Diana autobiography. She had one
explains. We have been counteracting this with son, Peter, who illustrated
gravel mulching, but we still lose some every year. her childrens books and
The garden is mainly sand and river gravel latterly took on the running
improved over time. Diana is keen to use the of The Manor with his wife,
prevailing conditions and has developed a Diana, who now gives talks
damp meadow, full of southern marsh orchids about the garden and
(Dactylorhiza praetermissa), buttercups and snakes Lucys work. In addition to
head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris). her writing, Lucy produced
As a latecomer to gardening, author Lucy threw patchwork of international
herself into the garden with enthusiasm. When she renown. For more, see
was young, she had visited Levens Hall in Cumbria greenknowe.co.uk
and remembered its amazing ancient topiary.

Made in
Britain
www.andrewcrace.com
ndian Lattice Wheelbarrow Seat painted Green Edo Backless Bench painted Cobalt Blue Peacock Armchairs
Sissinghurst Sun Seat painted ekyll Mist Medium Moot Seat Baro ue 3 Seater
Leighton 4 Seater ersailles Boxes ior 2 Seater painted White
Charles ver Chairs & Hadham High Table Gateleg Table ctagonal Table & Slatted Chairs
Traditional, Contemporary and Bespoke nterior & Garden urniture. Made from hardwood roko or ak
High uality and Genuine British Products. esigned and individually Crafted and Made in Hertfordshire, UK.
Andrew Crace, 32 Bourne Lane, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire SG10 6ER, UK. Tel 01279 842685 www.andrewcrace.com
Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens has been Above In the colourful
combined white Stachys lanata Silver Carpet. bearded Iris border
bloom Amethyst Flame,
Diana runs the garden with the help of three part- Great Gable, Quaker
time gardeners organised by Kevin Swales, of whom Lady and Jane Phillips.
she says, I could not manage without. He puts into Left The gardens yew
practice my ideas before Ive even thought of them. topiary was clipped into
crowns and orbs in 1952,
At the heart of the garden is the Iris Store where to mark the coronation
the propagation is done and the Iris Yard part of the Queen.
of the old walled kitchen garden developed by the
Bostons as display beds for the irises. Here the irises
are grown in dramatic stripes almost black Great
Gable, true blue Great Lakes and creamy yellow
Starshine. On the old brick wall, Lucy planted
a beautiful scented Rosa Sombreuil and one of IRIS SPECIALISTS
Dianas favourite scented Gallicas, Duc de Guiche, Clare Austin
which, she says, never gets blackspot. Tel: 01686 670342
She planted eight little footballs of yew, which over Lucy grew every type of bearded Iris available at claireaustin-hardyplants.
co.uk
the years became cones and finally, to mark the the time. Over the years we have introduced some of
The English Iris
coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1952, were the modern frillies such as Olympiad, which the Company
clipped alternately into crowns and orbs. visitors really like. However, my preference is for the Tel: 07789 670299
Over time, the old ladies, as I call them, have simpler types, with subtle colouring such as Quaker englishiriscompany.com
become more and more individual, laughs Diana. Lady. I do agree with Lucy that the older irises, Kelways
They have bunions, dowagers humps and very including the Cedric Morris ones, are particularly Tel: 01458 250521
kelways.co.uk
broad bottoms! Lucy also planted a topiary chess good because they hold their flower head cleanly
Woottens of
set. This was originally set in black and white away from the stem.
Wenhaston
gravel but it is now surrounded with spreading Diana Boston has spent the past 27 years Tel: 01502 478258
plants to create the same contrasting effect black dedicated to The Manor and its story constantly woottensplants.com

CARING FOR BEARDED IRISES
The irises at The Manor benefit from Diana Bostons considerable gardening experience
T
here have been bearded irises at Hemingford Grey since beds in late February or March. After flowering, the flower stems
the 1950s when author Lucy M Boston fell in love with are cut back but the leaves are left in situ so they can continue to
their impressive stature and brilliant, if fleeting, flowers feed the rhizome.
in early summer. It is a tradition that her daughter-in- In the wider borders, it is best to keep the rhizomes towards
law Diana continues, with many cultivars being heritage or rare the front, with as few plants as possible around them since they
types, such as the Benton irises bred by artist Cedric Morris. dislike competition. Having said that, there seem to be a couple
Bearded irises have various heights the most common are of plants that break the rules at Hemingford Grey irises are
the tall bearded (70-85cm) but there are also slightly shorter growing quite happily with grape hyacinths and blue Chionodoxa
ones including intermediates (40-60cm) and miniatures. which flower in spring, before the irises.
They are generally easy to care for but have a few basic Irises need to be lifted and split every four years as soon as
requirements. Before planting, Diana sieves the soil to make possible after flowering. Break the rhizomes into small pieces,
sure there are no competing weeds weeds are difficult to each with a healthy shoot and replant 23-30cm (9-12in) apart. At
dislodge once the Iris rhizomes have become established and this stage, cut back the leaves to stop the wind rocking the plant,
should always be removed by hand. These irises like an open, and to allow the roots to get a hold in the ground.
sunny position and a well-drained, neutral soil. Diana spreads a Many divided irises will produce flowers the following year, but
granular balanced feed such as Growmore or VItax Q4 on the iris some may take a bit longer.
IRIS BENTON OLIVE IRIS BENTON ARGENT IRIS LORILEE IRIS LOUVOIS
This variety was bred by Sir Another Morris variety with A rather glamorous ruffled, An old variety that has been
Cedric Morris and has silvery silvery grey and cream modern Iris that blooms in growing for 100 years or
standards and falls of silver- standards. Falls are ivory shades of lilac. At 94cm it is more. Beige standards, dark
purple. Reaches 90cm. speckled with brown. one of the tallest. falls and yellow beard.
battling flooding, lack of Right Teamed prettily

resources and invaders such with evening primrose,
Iris Benton Nutkin is at
as muntjac deer and pigeons.
home in this border.
Part of the appeal here
is that the garden makes no concession to modernity
or fashion. It is filled with the plants that they would
have grown up with in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Diana
says: Lucy was great at seeing the bigger picture, the
swathes of colour and the effects. By nature, I am more
a specialised gardener, I like to fiddle with individual
plants but this is not a garden that allows that.
The garden is open daily from 11am-5pm. The house

is open by arrangement. The Manor, Hemingford
Grey, Cambridgeshire PE28 9BN. Tel: 01480 463134;
greenknowe.co.uk

EARLY BOOKING
BONANZA
Maximum early booking discounts on your 2018 Titan holiday
Award-winning 35 brand new VIP door-to-door

escorted holidays itineraries for 2018 transfers on every tour
SAVE up to 300 per person
49
Maximum discounts when you book early
per person
0800 988 5819
To request your free brochure call
quoting EH1 7HE or visit titantravel.co.uk
o deposit

1
7
ok
B
by 30 June 20 Terms and conditions apply on some offers. Calls free from BT landlines, mobiles may vary. 49 deposit is valid
on the majority of tours, however some higher deposit exceptions apply and will be advised at time of booking.
Applies to first time bookers only. Home transfers are not included on Titans Essential Collection holidays.
RING OF
Bright Water
Gail Hughes-Morgan enlisted the help of garden designer Ian Smith to
transform the eight acres of field around her Surrey property, Millwater,
into a garden that marries formal style with watery informality
WORDS HELEN BILLIALD PHOTOGRAPHS MARIANNE MAJERUS

M I L LWAT E R
Stands of yellow flag iris

(Iris pseudacorus) bring
the informality of the
countryside to the lake
at Millwater.

W
ATER BRINGS A GARDEN TO LIFE.
It is a familiar enough saying,
but sometimes it is pleasing to
be reminded just why such a
maxim exists.
Millwater, near Ripley in Surrey, is brimful with
reminders, from a dashing mill chase to formal
stone fountains, calm reflecting pools and generous
naturalistic lake; water is at its very core.
It was also the reason Gail Hughes-Morgan
first explored the property. My husband was
obsessed with water, she explains. When we spied
Millwater and there was a ruddy great lake in it
well, it was heaven.
Interiors rather than gardens have always been
Gails passion. Her current interior decoration work
stems in part from years of moving into houses that
needed gutting and a lot of work. On moving into
the Grade II listed house at Millwater in 2007, Gail
oversaw its extensive redevelopment, but for the Top Pleached limes Smith of Acres Wild, with whom she had worked
exterior she sought a garden designer. underplanted with on a previous property. The eight-acre garden was
Allium hollandicum
At that time, much of Millwaters 13 acres was a created in 2009 and the leap from field to mature
Purple Sensation form
rough-and-ready field with some mature trees and the spine of the garden. garden has been astonishingly swift. Recognition of
a greenhouse. Gail recalls that the site sloped down Above Blush tones of Ians handling of the site came in 2014 when it won
to the mill stream and gave the impression that rose Climbing Ccile both the Large Residential Garden Award and the
Brnner complement a
everything was trying to drop into the water. much-cherished Grand Award from the Society of
red-brick wall.
For its reimagining she enlisted the help of Ian Garden Designers.

Left Elaeagnus
Gail places this jump from field to award-winning
Quicksilver bears
mature garden squarely at the feet of Ian. What slender, silvery leaves
Acres Wild is amazing at is interpreting the brief and and tiny, scented
creating something that looks so organic, you think canary-yellow flowers.
Below Nepeta and
it cant be any other way. It is a very clever thing
clipped box flank a path.
that they do, and then they make you think that you Bottom Pavers planted
designed it and arent you clever... with fragrant thyme
Todays established planting hides the inevitably surround a formal,
brutal start that involved months of flattening and rectangular fish pond
close to the house.
rearranging levels in the back field. As with houses,
youve got to get the structure and space right first,
said Gail. The plants are the finishes, but what is
really important at the beginning is the flow of the
garden and how youll use it.
One item on Gails wish list was a hedge on stilts.
Id been to Alnwick Gardens and loved the idea
that you can make a room with a raised hedge, so we
came up with the idea of a long walkway ending in a
circular fountain. Id imagined it to be very Baroque
but in reality it is a very modest fountain that sits far
better within the countryside.
Today this avenue of pleached limes forms the
spine of the new garden and the trees have gone
from a bunch of sticks to a proper grand avenue
allowing the early scaffolding that was involved in
their shaping to be removed. Beneath is a purple
undercurrent of alliums in tune with Gails planting
brief. I asked for a traditional English perennial
garden, she says, a palette of pinks, whites, purples
and blues with a little bit of burnt orange here and
there, plenty of roses, Wisteria, delphiniums, lupins
and something for every season.
The garden brims with shrubs and trees that
sustain interest throughout the year.
Against this backdrop are seasonal
highlights, from the avenues sweep
of alliums, to masses of irises, an
orchard of crab apples, ornamental
grasses and strong autumn colour.
Ian taught me a lot about planting
in large numbers, keeping it simple
and thinking about the 12 months
of the year, says Gail. This is the
distance between involving a designer
and something that is homespun; if
you have a garden designer involved
they understand how one plant works
with another.
At the end of the lime avenue lies
a simple circular pond and fountain
which is partly enclosed by curved
slices of yew hedge. The spaces
between the slices provide all the
enticement needed to coax visitors
onwards. One opening leads to a
large, circular, yew-enclosed lawn
from where you may catch sight of
the green sanctuary of the reflecting

Discover why plants are powerful...
From pineapple pants to bamboo socks, our summer theme
Weaves and Leaves will explore fabrics and the plants that make
them.
Living displays Talks & Workshops Events & Tours
Award-winning Caf Shop

Nearest stations: Sloane Sq Victoria
chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
Above Reclining chairs pond; the other opening leads into an area of longer
and a boat house give grass that slopes down to the mill race.
reason to pause and
Looking back up the avenue, a broad path leads
admire views of the lake.
Left Showy, creamy- straight through the open arch of a barn, linking
green bracts of Cornus in turn to a small fountain garden, and on to the
kousa Wolf Eyes. formal rectangular fish pond laced with lily pads in
Below Nepeta and Iris
front of the main house. The mill race runs under
are brought to life with a
maroon counterpoint in one end of the house and away down the garden,
the acers beyond. carrying with it a ceaseless watery chatter.
Every day I start with a circular walk, down the
avenue to the lake and around, and it all just flows
from one room to another. There is always a view,
or a tree or a seat to take, says Gail. At the lake, Ian
made sure there was a reason to stop and rest, with a
stone bench looking back up the mill stream, as well
as a platform and boat house on the lake itself.
Setbacks in the gardens establishment were few,
but when they did occur, as in yews failing to take
within a hedge, Gail learnt to be pragmatic. When
youre looking at three truckloads of plants costing
thousands, you think it is an outrage that anything
dares die, she jokes, but the reality of gardening is
that some things will be amazing and some things
will take work. If nature is being a bit bossy, take
it out and try something else. Gail is presently
concentrating on the pool garden, where she is
removing struggling lavender and toying with adding
ornamental grasses and purple geraniums.
There were few changes to the initial master plan
that Ian drew up, an achievement Gail attributes to

Enjoy the summer sunsets with our beautiful outdoor furniture
With our stunning metalwork and wooden craftsmanship, Rosara provides the finishing touches to
help you make the most of your outdoor living area.
For more information and to learn more about Rosara, please visit our website:
www.rosara.co.uk
Above Low box the fact that he listens so well, hes
hedging encloses a pond not going to plonk something in that
and fountain in the
you dont like. One of their wishes
square courtyard.
Left Two-toned Iris Jane for the grounds was for the luxury
Phillips with brighter of a walled garden and, halfway
Geranium psilostemon along the avenue of pleached limes,
and Euphorbia.
a brick path leads between its
sheltering brick walls.
Softening the formal beds of fruit and vegetables
in the walled garden are sweeps of flowers and
stretches of roses, in particular. Gail was determined
to bring them back throughout the garden after
discovering mention of a famous rose garden at
Millwater dating from over a century ago. When the
pair arrived, there wasnt a single rose, illustrating
how precarious any gardens longevity can be.
It is like a second coming for the garden, says
Gail, and it shows that what goes around comes
around, depending who has money, and whether
there is something more pressing, like growing your
own food. During this lovely peace time we can
make something that bit more frivolous.
A new glasshouse lies inside the walled garden.
When we bought the house and garden we
inherited Chris as head gardener, says Gail, and it
felt like the existing greenhouse was his house. Even
his kettle was there, so we put a second greenhouse

MILLWATER
NOTEBOOK
Grand designs can be scaled down to taste
PLEACHED LIMES CHANGE OF PACE

Hedges on stilts have the Beyond the boldly planted
effect of defining an area avenue, the mood and
without fully enclosing it. pace of the garden are
Bare trunks also create space transformed by the quiet
for imaginative planting at greenery of the enclosed
ground level which is ideal circular pond and stone
for establishing interest in fountain. Slices of yew hedge
in the walled garden Above Wilder planting
beside the lake, including spaces where space might partly encircle the area; this
and now it is a case of
Primula bulleyana, brings be limited. This avenue was is a handy technique that
his and ours. the gardens to a planted with Caucasian limes offers a tempting glimpse of
The current soothing conclusion.
(Tilia x euchlora). the garden beyond.
arrangement of
greenhouses also provides Chris with a refuge from
one of Gails requests: He is not allowed to put
anything red anywhere so there tends to be a sea of
red geraniums in his greenhouse, or hell be naughty
and make up a hanging basket thats red.
Chris works for two full days and three half,
while from Easter to September Gail is joined on
one day a week by my ladies, we all go out and do
the equivalent of another three days and I call us the
Plants People. Were busy training things, planting
and weeding like crazy.
Gail is under no illusion about the amount of
labour it takes to maintain a garden of this scale,
admitting nature tries to claim it back all the REASON TO PAUSE INVEST IN BRICKS
time. But, equally, it is Ians skilful mingling of the A boat house, wooden Bricks can be laid in patterns
wilderness with the ornamental down by the lake platform and stone bench or bonds to achieve particular
that makes the lake her favourite place to be. encourage visitors to sit and effects. Running, herringbone
The lake is lovely at all times, says Gail, Ive enjoy the lake, while the and basket-weave bonds
walked across it when it is frozen in the dead of reflective properties of the are most popular in garden
winter and it is beautiful when the trees are reflected lake enhance its surrounds. spaces. Brick paths can
in the water. You feel aware of the countryside Reflection can be useful in be expensive but the
there, we usually disturb a heron and regularly see more modest gardens and upkeep needed to weed
kingfishers. With the main garden there are times staining water a dark shade a compacted pea-gravel
when you ask what am I thinking of? whereas will help improve reflective walkway makes brick a
nature manages to look gorgeous all the time. properties in small spaces. sound investment.

Item No.: 7531780
Item No.: 9619052 Item No.: 9988024
Item No.: 1020502
10%
Discount *
Voucher Code
UK17-GARDEN2-10
*redeemable on Lights.co.uk in a single transaction. Not in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Must be entered when placing the order. Can only be used once. All products subject to availability.
Residents of the UK and Republic of Ireland only. No cash alternative. Valid until 15th October 2017.
Quality house brand Free return shipping Service rating 4.8 020 3514 3658
(for most parts of the UK)
The summer borders at
Oxleaze Farm are filled
with Onopordum
acanthium, pink peonies,
white foxgloves,
Philadelphus
purpurascens and
Alchemills mollis.

OXLEAZE
FAR M
Country
CHORALE
Dating back to the 1700s, the garden at Oxleaze Farm
reflects the inspirations of generations of gardeners, not
least its current owners, Chris and Chipps Mann
WORDS ANNETTE WARREN PHOTOGRAPHS CLIVE NICHOLS

T

HE ANCIENT FIELD GEOMETRIES OF
rolling ridge and furrow form a fitting
agricultural backdrop to Oxleaze
Farm, situated on the border between
Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
Dating back to 1700, the organic farm has been
worked by the Mann family since 1946.
A cluster of mellow Cotswold stone buildings is
presided over by the Georgian farmhouse where
current owner, Charles Mann, was born and raised.
In 1983, Charles and his wife, Chipps, moved into the
farmhouse which has been the family home ever since.
The gardens of Oxleaze Farm exude a gentle
English charm. A wood and iron gate dripping with
the twisted stems of the Clematis armandii growing
beside it leads to a stone terrace where white valerian
(Centranthus ruber Albus) spills in profusion
Above A mixed perennial across the path, much of it self-seeded and bursting
border is filled with rose through the cracks in the slabs. Nature knows
Bonica, Hebe Pagei, better than me, remarks Chipps. You know that
Astrantia major Claret,
when plants self-seed, that is where they want to be.
Teucrium, Elaeagnus
Quicksilver, giant Similarly, the daisy-like Erigeron karvinskianus, not
scabious and Acanthus. content with its intended home an ancient stone
Right Yew topiary trough beside the house now springs from every
defines this small
conceivable crevice.
garden where Vitis
coignetiae rambles over When Chipps and Charles first moved to Oxleaze
golden privet. they were mindful to respect the mature garden

which had been the creation of Charles mother. qualities of this compost. Here the pink shrub rose Above left The garden at
Gradual changes were made, starting with the Bonica flowers continually throughout summer, Oxleaze complements
the Georgian farmhouse
sweep of lawn which was previously bordered by complemented by other cottage garden favourites
in which Charles Mann
narrow beds. Chipps set out to soften the garden by such as Astrantia major Claret, Acanthus mollis, was born and raised.
increasing the depth of the borders and introducing giant scabious (Cephalaria gigantea) and the cool Above right Nodding
a tall yew hedge, which screens the large vegetable blue blur of Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium. heads of brilliantly
coloured poppies
plot from the main garden. The bones of the garden Silvery Elaeagnus Quicksilver and soft mounds of
enliven a scheme.
were already here, for which I am grateful, she says. Hebe pinguifolia Pagei provide structure and form Below Self-seeded
Inspired by the ancient topiary against the tumbling tapestry Centranthus ruber
at nearby Ablington Manor, the of summer pastels. Albus spills over a
former rose garden was given a The softened Beyond the borders, an garden path.
new lease of life with box hedging.

Charles remembers saying to
borders around arch cut into the yew leads
to the sunken garden, an
Chipps, Why cant we have a the lawn are the ambitious project started by
hedge like that? and the idea was
sown. In this part of the garden, a epitome of the Chipps in 1996. Seized by
her idea, she earnestly set
swing seat and vast stone table are
surrounded by a variety of topiary
English country about digging with a spade
only to be quickly defeated
shapes, all maintained by Charles. garden by the sheer volume of the
Charles started going mad with
the clipping trying to give it an aged look, which has
worked, I think, says Chipps, in explanation of the
unusual shapes that have evolved. The central stone
table sitting atop staddles was formed from the base
of an old trough from the farm. A mere 10cm of soil
lies above a half-metre depth of Cotswold brash and,
beneath this, solid stone. We are forever ploughing
up slabs of stone in the fields. All the terraces are
essentially excavated slabs from around the farm,
explains Charles.
The softened borders around the lawn are the
epitome of an English country garden. To nourish
the thin soil, Chipps fertilises with compost
sourced from the local council green bin scheme.
I call it black gold because it is completely weed
free, she explains. Aided by a watering system,
the packed borders are testament to the magical

EverEdge is also available in green,
black and galvanised (unpainted)
01677 450510 07710 747891

admin@lowmill-landscapes.co.uk
www.lowmill-landscapes.co.uk
Hard Landscaping Contractors

Craftsmen We have a passion for what we do and believe in building a garden with every detail taken care of.
with an 30 years of experience, Chelsea gold medals and always striving for excellence make us one of the best most reliable
attention to
landscaping companies in the north. We take care of every detail from groundworks to completion
of each project. Most of our work is for domestic clients but occasionally theres a show garden to build.
detail All our staff are experienced trained craftsmen.
We love what we do and want you to love it too.
BLOOMS FOR A COUNTRY GARDEN
A medley of annuals and perennials mingles with shrubs grown for their flowers and scent
PAPAVER RHOEAS SHIRLEY GROUP SISYRINCHIUM STRIATUM ROSA MUTABILIS

Grow Shirley poppies for flowers in soft A champion self-seeder bearing fan- Pretty flowers open apricot-yellow and
shades with varied forms. They are easily shaped clumps of grassy leaves from age to pink, making for a multicoloured
sown directly into the soil in autumn. which the stiff flower spikes emerge. display on an airy shrub 2.5m tall.
ROSA RAUBRITTER PHILADELPHUS PURPURASCENS ANTIRRHINUM MAJUS

A vigorous mound-shaped rose that This desirable species of mock orange A bedding staple that is good for filling
reaches 1m tall. In summer it is covered has sweetly-scented white blooms with gaps and injecting colour in sweet-shop
in a profusion of rounded flowers. prettily contrasting purple calyces. shades of pink and pastels.
ALLIUM ATROPURPUREUM PAPAVER MOTHER OF PEARL CARPENTERIA CALIFORNICA

Plant bulbs in autumn for purple A cultivar of corn poppy (Papaver Bold, fragrant white flowers adorn this
drumstick flowers that bridge the gap rhoeas), with delicate, pale pink-mauve evergreen shrub in summer perfect
between spring and summer. tissue-paper flowers; great in meadows. grown against a warm, sunny wall.

op ch Ple
en er as
in ry e n
g
ea tree ote
rly s ,
th are
is
ye
ar
Mitton Manor
Gardens
4P[[VU5LHY7LURYPKNL:[HVYKZOPYL:; 8>
It really is a magical time of year at Mitton Manor.

The cherry trees are truly spectacular and visitors
can also enjoy the rest of the gardens, with its
many varying styles, formal box & topiary, Refreshments:
woodland and stream. ,UQV`[LHJVLLJHRLZVYHJOHTWHNUL
HM[LYUVVU[LH^OPSZ[SPZ[LUPUN[VSP]LT\ZPJ
In addition to our regular NGS open day in July,

we are excited to announce additional open days
that will give all garden lovers the opportunity to see
V\YILH\[PM\SNHYKLUPUNSVYPV\ZISVVT Admission:
5. No charge for children under 12
Were opening on:
April 30th, 11.30am - 4.30pm For more information please visit:
May 1st, 11.30am - 4.30pm www.mittonmanor.co.uk
May 7th, 11.30am - 4.30pm
July 2nd, open for the NGS - 11.30am - 4.30pm Email: info@mittonmanor.co.uk
Location: ST19 5QW (2 miles west of Penkridge) At the Texaco island on the A449 in Penkridge turn west into Bungham
3HUL;\YUYPNO[H[[OLLUKVM)\UNOHT3HULHUK[OLUPTTLKPH[LS`SLM[2LLWYPNO[H[[OLMVYRHM[LY[OLZPUNSLSLIYPKNL
;OLOV\ZLPZTPSLZMYVT[OLIYPKNLVU[OLYPNO[*HYWHYRPULSKILMVYLOV\ZL
GOOD
IDEAS FROM
OXLEAZE
FARM
OVERWINTERING
I am experimenting
with dahlias, Verbena
bonariensis and other
hollow-stemmed
plants by not cutting
them back for winter,
says Chipps. It
occurred to me that
the hollow stems make
perfect receptacles
for winter wet which
funnels down the
stem to the tuber or
root, causing rot and
death. As soon as the
plant starts growing
again, the tatty tops
can be removed.
BULBS IN POTS
task. Luckily Charles came
to the rescue with a digger
Paths wind climbing roses and golden
hop (Humulus lupulus
In autumn I plant and today the Sunken Garden through long Aureus). A potager style
masses of bulbs,
such as Crocus
is a quiet oasis of water and
bog-loving plants such as grass punctuated garden makes sense, explains
Chipps. A ready supply of
tommasinianus and
Chionodoxa, five to a
blue Iris sibirica, Gunnera
tinctoria, Angelica, yellow
by wild flowers farmyard manure enriches the
soil where Allium cristophii
pot. These can then be skunk cabbage (Lysichiton where bees work and later dahlias provide
planted out when in
flower, which is when
americanus), fritillaries, hostas
and candelabra Primula. The
industriously bolts of floriferous colour.
Chipps sources dahlias from
you can see where Sunken Garden is probably my Sarah Raven, who is sharing
gaps are and where favourite part of the garden, reveals Chipps. It her knowledge at a forthcoming workshop in the
the flowers should be, attracts birds, bees and butterflies. Long-tailed lecture barn at Oxleaze later in the year.
Chipps says. tits and even a tiny goldcrest visit the pond. In the sundial garden near the house, the
The entire garden is surrounded by a handsome wedding cake tree (Cornus controversa
DESIGN stone wall. Two individual sets of ornamental Variegata) overlooks a stone seat set within a
Chipps has used gates set into the wall each lead to a wildflower neat clipped box bench. Further harmonious
topiary and meadow interspersed with fruit trees. Mown planting is achieved nearby with vigorous pink
evergreens to provide paths wind casually through the long grass Raubritter roses growing through the creamy
structure. Structure is punctuated by wild flowers where bees work white flowers of Philadelphus Belle toile.
vital to a garden, she industriously in the hives, kept by Chipps since A match made in heaven when nature took
says, as half the year 2010. It is a lovely symbiotic thing. It is super the upper hand, remarks Chipps. Favourite
is devoid of flowers. seeing my bees working in the garden, she adds. rose varieties include the blush-pink shrub rose
Keep formality near A stately greenhouse flanked by topiary Felicia and velvety purple Munstead Wood.
the house; allow the overlooks low box ramparts which divide the Chipps inherited her love of gardening from
planting and structure vegetable garden. The vegetable garden is her grandmother. When you have a garden of
to soften towards the intersected by mown paths and softened with your own, a passing interest turns into a passion,
edge of the garden in arches, some with apple trees Chipps observes.
a gradual transition trained over them and others
between mans planted with abundant Clematis Above Abundant beds of The gardens open by appointment.
mixed shrubs, carefully
manicuring and the Perle dAzur and Duchess of Filkins, Lechlade, Gloucestershire
shaped yew and clipped
wilder countryside. Albany which climb through box line the walk to the GL7 3RB. Tel: 01367 850216;
purple and silver-leaved vines, potting shed. thecoach-house.com

OXLEAZE FARM NOTEBOOK
A relaxed garden where plants set seed around rustic features for charming country style
LECTURE NOTES
Charles and Chipps host various events on
SPACES FOR SUMMER ENTERTAINING their farm and welcome groups to the garden
Chipps and Charles enjoy entertaining in the garden and have created several throughout summer. Sarah Raven visits the farm
areas in which to enjoy alfresco dining. The Cotswold stone terrace in front of to speak on bulbs and the harvest garden on 18
the house overlooks the lawn and is planted with Portuguese laurel (Prunus and 19 October respectively. For details and to
lusitanica) surrounded by box domes and Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea. book see sarahraven.com
SUNDIAL GARDEN SELF-SEEDING

The formal sundial garden FLOWERS
beside the house is mainly In the terrace and sundial THE GARDEN GATE
green and planted with gardens, self-seeded flowers The heavy old iron and oak gate leading from the garden
variegated Euphorbia, appear abundantly. The most towards the orchard offers a glimpse into a wilder part of
Philadelphus, Buddleja prolific include Icelandic the garden. This unique gate bears a satisfying rusticity and
alternifolia, yew and box, poppies, Campanula, is fashioned from responsibly sourced oak. It was made by
and presided over by Cornus Sisyrinchium striatum and Winterborne Zelston Fencing in Dorset. Tel: 01929 459245;
controversa Variegata. Erigeron karvinskianus. winterbornezelstonfencing.co.uk

Growers of the finest quality bulbs and plants since 1860
Favourites of
the English
Show Gardens
Abu Hassan Paul Scherer National Velvet
P ICTURED HERE, are some of
the year-on-year favourite Tulips
chosen by many of the show gardens
up and down the country.
Interestingly, these varieties have also
become Bloms Bulbs best sellers to
the gardener. Why? it may be just
that gardeners are still being inspired
by their splendour at the shows, but
also that they are well proven and top
quality success stories, ensuring the
hard work of preparation and planting
Negrita Pretty Princess Avignon in your garden, is truly rewarded.
As one of the founding growers at the
Keukenhof gardens, Bloms Bulbs offer
the highest quality bulbs available
and each variety is grown, trialled and
shown, ensuring gardeners receive
well proven bulbs from exactly the
same stocks as those exhibited at
award winning displays.
Bloms Bulbs autumn collection is
Princess Irene Beauty of Spring Crystal Star
out now!
The autumn collection, of course,
includes the year-on-year favourite Tulips,
as well as an array of new varieties and
other spring flowering bulbs, promising
to inspire this years
spring planting.
The autumn catalogue
is available by calling
01234 709099, or by
Mount Tacoma Blushing Girl Little Girl emailing:
help@blomsbulbs.com
1948-2016 WINNER OF You can order your spring bulbs today!
65 GOLD MEDALS AT RHS choosing when you would just ask to be added to the mailing list!
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW like them delivered, by visiting ... www.blomsbulbs.com
INSTANT
INSTANT HEDGES
INSTANT
HEDGES AND
HEDGES LARGE
AND
AND TREES
LARGE
LARGE TREES
TREES
INSTANT HEDGES AND LARGE TREES
INSTANT HEDGES AND LARGE TREES

Practicality
Practicality Brown
Practicality
Brown are instant
Brown
are instant
are landscape
instant landscape
landscape specialists
specialists withwith
specialists
with aa range

range a
of quality

range of

quality

of

quality

instant hedges, semi-mature trees, largelarge
shrubs, and and
topiary to
help create

instant hedges, semi-mature trees, shrubs, topiary to help create

instant hedges, semi-mature trees, large shrubs, and
Practicality Brown are instant landscape specialists with a range topiary
to help create
of quality

mature
mature gardens
mature
gardens fromfrom
gardens
from themoment
the moment
the moment
ofofplanting.
planting. Every
of planting.
Every yearour
Every
year ourproducts
year products
our products are are
used used
are
used in
in in
instant hedges,
Practicality Brownsemi-mature
are instant trees, large shrubs,
landscape andwith
specialists topiary
a range to help of qualitycreate
award-winning RHSRHS
Chelsea andHampton
Hampton Court Flower Show gardens.

award-winning Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Show gardens.

award-winning
mature RHS Chelsea and Court Flower Show gardens.
instant gardens
hedges, from the moment of planting. Every year
and our products are
used in

semi-mature trees, large shrubs, topiary to help

create

award-winning FindHampton
moremore
Find information at: at: Show gardens.
information
mature gardens RHS
from Chelsea and Court Flower
Find
the moment more
of information
planting. at:
Every year our products

are used in
award-winning RHS Chelsea and www.pracbrown.co.uk
www.pracbrown.co.uk
www.pracbrown.co.uk
Hampton Court
Find more information at: Flower Show

gardens.

www.pracbrown.co.uk
Find more information at:
www.pracbrown.co.uk

SPECIAL
OFFER
For readers of PRACTICALITY

PRACTICALITY
PRACTICALITY BROWN
BROWN
BROWN LTD
LTDLTD
The English Garden
der THETHE
INSTANT LANDSCAPE SPECIALISTS
100 off your first or THE
Quo te EG 10 0 PRACTICALITY BROWN LTD
INSTANT
INSTANT LANDSCAPE
LANDSCAPE SPECIALISTS
SPECIALISTS
00+VAT
Minimum spend 20
Not in conjunction
with PRACTICALITY
Swan
Swan Road
Swan
Road
THE INSTANT Road
Iver BROWN
IverIver
Bucks
Bucks
LANDSCAPE SL0
Bucks
SL0 9LA LTD
9LA9LA
SL0
SPECIALISTS
any other offer
Tel:INSTANT
Tel:
THE 01753
Tel:
01753 652022
01753
652022 ||sales@pracbrown.co.uk
sales@pracbrown.co.uk
652022 | sales@pracbrown.co.uk
LANDSCAPE SPECIALISTS
Swan Road Iver Bucks SL0 9LA
AR D MAD DY
CASTLE
ENDURING
LOVE
The gardens at Ardmaddy Castle in Argyll were once a trial ground
for rhododendrons but, after 45 years in the care of Minette and
Charles Struthers, they now form a nurtured, tranquil setting
WORDS GREG LOADES PHOTOGRAPHS RAY COX
Nestling in a sheltered,
coastal position,
Ardmaddy Castle dates
from 1737, but incorporates
the vaulted basement of
a 15th-century castle.

T
Above With hills and HE ARDMADDY ESTATE HAS HAD ITS
woodland sheltering fair share of historical tumult. In
much of the garden, and
the mid-17th century, the estate was
its west-coast location,
Ardmaddy boasts a mild owned by the Earl of Argyll, after
microclimate. he seized it from its former owners,
the MacDougalls of Lorne. The Earl led a failed
uprising against King Charles II and was executed
for his part in it in 1685. Later, Ardmaddy was used
to imprison Jacobites after a failed uprising of 1745.
Fast forward a quarter of a millennium and tumult
is replaced with tranquility. Crisp views of a calm Bill Davidson, a solicitor from Edinburgh who
sea to the west of the estate, backed by the high hill used the land to indulge in his hobby of hybridising
of the Isle of Scarba, are framed by the bright early rhododendrons, which thrived in the estates acidic
summer blossom of the rhododendron, the glorious soil. Bill used the land as his trial ground and
bastion of so many of Scotlands finest gardens. devoted an acre-and-a-half of the garden to growing
Surrounded by woodland on three sides, with the rhododendrons. Sitting in a mild microclimate,
west opened up to the usually calm waters, this is a unlikely to be hit as badly by frost and snow as
garden of serenity, never more so than in May. The gardens to the north and east, it was the perfect site
gardens fine collection of rhododendrons leaves an for experimentation.
indelible mark at this time, and they have their own The Estate was owned at this time by Major
intriguing history. Jim Struthers, who passed it on to his son Charles
Ardmaddys walled garden was rented to tenants in 1962. Charles and his wife, Minette, built up a
after the Second World War and one of these was holiday cottage business on the estate and, some 10

At Ardmaddy there is a rhododendron
in flower every month of the year
years later, Bill moved to the Scottish borders, taking Above Original box
most of his rhododendron collection with him. hedging and mature
trees are a legacy of
With the garden having been emptied of its main Ardmaddys previous
planting, this experimental ground was let to local incarnations.
enthusiasts as four allotment plots, but after a couple Left Minette Struthers
of years, enthusiasm waned and the ground reverted moved here in 1962.
to natures inclination, as brambles and perennial

weeds encroached and enveloped the space.

Behind the garden,
the hill of the Isle of
Scarba helps visitors
keep their bearings as
they meander through
the rhododendrons.

The only plants of note Clockwise from top The
in the one-and-a-half- ornate octagonal tower
is a Victorian addition to
acre walled garden the castle; white alliums
were the remaining burst from borders;
rhododendrons Bill views over the calm
left his largest plants waters of Ardmaddy
Bay; aquilegias are an
behind and the early-summer favourite,
original structural box guaranteed to fill gaps
hedges. Charles and with colourful blooms.
Minette had to make
a decision.
It was Do we let the sheep in or do we garden?
recalls Minette. The latter was chosen, although she
concedes that the gardens development had a slow
beginning. Minette and Charles had to focus their
attention on renovating the house, and the garden
couldnt be made a priority in terms of financial
investment. If I wanted 5 to spend on plants, it
was too much, says Minette of this time. Instead,
friends and relatives donated plants and cuttings and
these were to be the sum total of the new additions
to the garden for the first decade.
Although the majority of the
rhododendrons had been removed,
Bill left an enduring legacy: at
Ardmaddy, there is a rhododendron
in flower almost every month of
the year. But as to the names, many
are unknown and have never been
widely cultivated.
Bill would sell some of his
rhododendron hybrids to friends
but never embarked on a full-scale
commercial programme of breeding
and selling. Various experts have
visited the garden to help identify
the cultivars, and Bill himself
has revisited the garden, but his
memory failed him and so some remain unnamed.
As work restoring the castle and outbuildings
progressed, Minette was able to buy a few plants.
She sourced these in tens from a commercial grower,
which allowed her to plant in groups and sell the
spares at the door. At the time I wanted anything
except rhododendrons, she recalls.
Bravely deciding to open the garden for charity in
the late 1970s, Minette says she nearly killed herself
making the garden half presentable, only to see it
pour with rain on the day; hardly a soul turned up.
Unperturbed, she then opened the garden for two
days a week as part of local open garden days. It is
a two-mile drive on a single track to the garden so I
used to give Charles the sign to put out when he went
to work and then hope that he would remember to
bring it back when he came home. Then it just got to
the stage when we didnt take the sign down.
Forty years after that resolution, it is still open to
the public. As you travel along the drive to approach

SUPERIOR
PRODUCTS
UK DESIGN &
MANUFACTURE
SINCE 1954
FOR EVERY GARDEN
FRUIT CAGES RAISED BEDS & PLANTERS

M A D E TO M E A S U R E & B E S P O K E
GREENHOUSES & EQUIPMENT
D E S I G N SERVICES AVAILABLE
NETTING & PROTECTION COMPOST BINS
F RU I T CAG E S BUTTS
WATER R A I S E D PLUS
B E D SMORE
& PLANTERS
ARCHES PERGOLAS OBELISKS & SUPPORTS
GREENHOUSES & EQUIPMENT WATERING
N E T T I N G & P ROT E C T I O N C O M P O S T I N G
10% OFF DESIGN & MANUFACTURE SINCE 1954

QUOTE
SVADEG4
CALL 0333 400 1500 (local rate)
VISIT www.harrodhorticultural.com
Ardmaddy, you look down onto the
walled garden. I always think that if
Looking back now, I recollect how empty
the drivers are in a bit of a nervous
state after two miles of driving on a
the garden was in the early days. I am more
single track road, the view makes up ruthless now than I was then
for it. The house sits on a rocky knoll
overlooking the garden and six islands,
so people touring the garden below dont impinge Above As the
on Minette and Charles privacy. rhododendrons have
aged, Minette has
Looking back now, I recollect how empty the
started underplanting
garden was in the early days, Minette reminisces. their leggy stems.
I am more ruthless now. If a plant is looking tired Right Large-leaved
I will take it out, whereas early on there were so few Rodgersia thrives by one
of the gardens ponds.
plants that I would give them all a second chance
before taking them out. Now I realise how much the
trees and shrubs that we planted have grown.
In hindsight, Minette wishes she had started
a replacement programme for the rhododendrons,
because she is now faced with some old specimens
that are losing their lustre. One silver lining of this
is that as the old stems have become bare and leggy,
Minette has been able to underplant them with
ground cover perennials.
When the garden was used for breeding
rhododendrons, the area around the base of the
plants was sprayed with a systemic weedkiller.
You could say it was immaculately kept but

we stopped using Below Many of the
ARDMADDY CASTLE
weedkiller when we Bill Davidson hybrid
rhododendrons are
took over the garden. unnamed but they can
Combining different
types of plants in a
be relied upon for
delivering vivid colour. NOTEBOOK
confined space is a
Old features and new additions are skilfully
favourite trick of Minettes. I like growing climbers
through things. After theyve flowered most
merged in this mature, well-settled garden
rhododendrons can fade into the background in the
garden, so I plant climbers underneath them.
Minettes pice de rsistance is a Hydrangea
anomala subsp. petiolaris growing up a sycamore
tree. I kept hearing that nothing would grow up it
and people kept telling me it wouldnt work but it
has. When they are both in full leaf, it is a mix of
true green and lime green. Minette gardened on her
own, with the help of a handyman, until two years
ago, when she took on a full-time gardener, John
McLean, whom she describes as fantastic help.
This is very much a working garden and a
home garden. As you walk around you will see a
polytunnel and the compost heaps. I sometimes look
at some gardens open to the public and you never
see any sign of anybody working. Our garden isnt
like that. It has a lived in feeling. And having lived
HARD WORKERS NATURAL PONDS
Planting Clematis through Thick clay is prevalent along
and breathed the garden for the last 45 years after
rhododendrons is of one the seashore on the Ardmaddy
inheriting another gardeners legacy, Minette and
Minettes favourite tricks for Estate. The clay was used to
Charles have now created one of their own.
making the large amount of form a natural lining for this
space the rhododendrons pond, one of two in the garden.
The garden is open year round, with an honesty
occupy work harder. Doing Damp-loving Rodgersia,
box, from 9am to dusk. Ardmaddy Castle, Oban
so also creates contrasting Ligularia and candelabra
PA34 4QY. Tel: 01852 300353; ardmaddy.co.uk
colour combinations. primulas thrive here.
CENTURY-OLD BOX SUMMER BLOOMERS

Box hedges demarcate the six Inheriting a garden that had
rectangular sections into which spring as its main season of
the garden is split. The hedges interest, Minette was keen
are at least 100 years old and, to include more summer-
despite the occasional late flowering plants. Airy perennial
frost after they have had their Thalictrum aquilegifolium is
early summer prune causing a perfectly suited, faring well in
little damage, they have proved moist, acid soil and unveiling its
to be disease free. fluffy pink blossom.

Beautiful gardens waiting to be discovered
The 12th Century Leeds Castle sits within 500 acres of magnificent parkland and formal gardens. Amongst
many horticultural delights, visitors will discover tranquil woodland walks, exotic Mediterranean terraced
gardens and the beautiful cottage style Culpeper Garden with shapes, colours and scents to enjoy across
the seasons.
Weekly garden tours available between April and September.
leeds-castle.com
28096J1 LC Gardens TEG 129h x 202.indd 1 29/03/2017 11:37

THE ENGLISH GARDEN INSURANCE OFFER PREFERENTIAL
TERMS
for readers of
The English Garden
Inside or out...
MAKE SURE YOUR VALUABLES ARE PROTECTED
Protecting your home, your garden and your lifestyle couldnt be easier. Now, as a
reader of The English Garden you can benefit from special terms on home and
contents cover placed through leading insurance advisers Smith Greenfield.
Here at The English Garden we are valued at over 250,000 or have Special benefits can include:
understand the importance of contents worth more than 75,000.
protecting our cherished possessions It comes with many benefits that Cover for equipment and machinery
kept in outbuildings
and obtaining the best and most standard high-street policies do not
appropriate home and contents cover. offer, and readers of The English Cover for malicious damage or theft
of plants and trees
Garden will receive preferential terms
This carefully researched
insurance opportunity has been and access to products only available
Cover for garden furniture and statues
specially created for High Net through expert independent advisers. Liability cover if your garden is open
to the public
Worth individuals and is available
to homeowners whose properties
Equally important, any claims will be
settled promptly and without fuss.
Cover for summerhouses and
non-standard properties
For a free quote or more information:

Call: 020 8603 3730
Visit: www.smithgreenfield.co.uk
GARDENERS
C O T TA G E
A circular lawn forms

the heart of this
garden and from it
radiate several paths.
A Gardeners
GARDEN
For Jim Buckland, head gardener at West Dean Gardens in West
Sussex, tending the small, intimate garden around his home is a
satisfying complement to a demanding day job
WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS NICOLA STOCKEN

A
T FIRST LIGHT, THERE IS A SENSE OF glasshouses and gardens. Somehow, along the way,
theatre about Jim Bucklands garden. Jim has found time to create a personal, private
As shafts of light illuminate an garden around their 18th-century cottage. People
ancient stone column rising above dont believe me, but this garden is completely me
a wildflower mound, they radiate Sarah just lets me get on with it, he insists.
through a leafy canopy to penetrate labyrinthine Cocooned in mature trees that part to reveal
paths that converge on this central stage. I see the glimpses of the South Downs, Jims fifth-of-an-
garden as a series of scenes, and it feels rather like acre garden may be small, but it has great presence.
walking on and off a stage as you pass through the There is a strong evergreen bone structure created
different spaces, explains Jim from his small, serene from holly, box or yew topiary, as well as some
and secluded retreat in West Sussex. lovely specimen trees that define the space vertically
It is home to Jim and his wife, Sarah Wain, they really make the garden, he adds. The trees,
the head-gardener duo at West including birch, Cornus, Aralia, yew,
Dean Gardens. It was 1991, shortly Above The formality conifers and a tulip tree, cast welcome
after the Great Storm had wreaked of clipped yew and shade, filtering the high light levels
havoc throughout the historic box contrasts with the prevalent in this area, and highlighting
mound of wildflowers in
gardens, when the couple arrived different textures and foliage during
the centre of the lawn.
and tirelessly embarked upon an Left Jim Buckland and the day. My main focus is on foliage
extensive restoration of the arboretum, Sarah Wain. and structure flowers are ephemeral.

The garden was Above Loungers wait in
originally laid out by the perfect spot for an
afternoon rest.
Jims predecessor, Ivan Left A collection of
Hicks, and apart from succulents in pots
a few tweaks, is little shelters at the foot of a
changed. The circular low flint-and-brick wall.
lawn is a very attractive

feature, and so much more interesting than a square
rectangle of grass. I dont see the point of change
for changes sake, adds Jim. He sees the circular
lawn as an axis around which the garden turns, with
five paths leading off, punctuated with two yews to
each side that break into the circle of box hedging.
Box hedging acts as a corset, defining the edges and
preventing it from being diffuse, he points out.
Each pathway is different in character. An old
gate in a high boundary wall frames the first view
of the garden, leading the eye along an open paved
path lined in leafy plants such as ferns, euphorbias,
heucheras, hostas, arums and Acanthus. I rely on
a limited palette of plants that will grow well, with
relatively little care and attention, says Jim. The
next path along is crowded in from both sides by
Solomons seal (Polygonatum x hybridum).
Directly opposite the cottage described by Jim
as having the naive charm of a childs drawing of a
house a short, straight path leads to a bench set

into a tall box hedge. There are a few lovely seating
areas, but in practice I rarely have time to sit in them.
If I do, it is usually in the steamer chair, on a warm
summers day, when Ill have an hours nap after
work. The bench overlooks beds of Anthriscus
sylvestris Ravenswing, Geranium sylvaticum
Album, Solomons seal, Gladiolus byzantinus,
and Aconitum napellus. Clumps of Allium Purple
Sensation are peppered through the beds.
The next path passes beneath an arch swathed in
Virginia creeper, and winds between shade-loving
hostas, London pride, ferns and Trachystemon
orientalis, a leafy perennial that even copes under
conifers. It comes early into leaf and flower,
and is looking tired by mid-June, explains Jim.
So, I cut it back to the rhizomes, water well, and
it shoots afresh.
Top Viewed from above, Nestling in some of
the gardens simple, the least hospitable
spoke-like layout of places is Podophyllum
paths is clear to see.
Spotty Dotty, an
Middle Pendent flowers
of Solomons seal. unusual spotty-leaved
Left Echeveria knit herbaceous woodland
together to create a mat plant that thrives in dry
of fleshy leaves
shade. I cant grow any
Far left The perfectly
symmetrical leaf rosette grey-leaved plants they
of Aeonium. tend to originate from

PLANTS AT GARDENERS COTTAGE
Vibrant shots of colour and unusual plants mix with cottage-garden stalwarts
TULBAGHIA LEUCANTHA IRIS JANE PHILLIPS EUPHORBIA CORNIGERA

An unusual bulb that originates from Appearing in May and June, the richly Try this fast-growing perennial spurge
South Africa and produces scented coloured blooms of this Iris, held on for dots of bright, acidic colour when its
flowers in May above grass-like leaves. 85cm-tall stems, have good perfume. bracts appear from May onwards.
ALLIUM PURPLE SENSATION GERANIUM SYLVATICUM ALBUM THALICTRUM AQUILEGIFOLIUM

A justly popular cultivar known for its This hardy Geranium can always be Powder-puff flower heads of mauve-
vibrant, deep purple globe-shaped relied upon for flowers that lighten pink top stems that reach 1m tall, above
flowers, reliably produced in late spring. tricky dark and shady spots. clumps of foliage akin to Aquilegia.
ANTHRISCUS SYLVESTRIS GERANIUM MAYFLOWER GLADIOLUS BYZANTINUS

Cow parsley lends an informal look when Expect masses of violet-blue flowers on This gorgeous Gladiolus species
it flowers in May and June. Deadhead to this Geranium sylvaticum cultivar that is produces vivid magenta flower spikes,
prevent rampant self-seeding. perfect for sun or light shade. and is hardy in well-drained soil.

COME AND VISIT US AT THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
ENJOY 25% OFF ONLINE ORDERS THROUGHOUT THE
WEEK USING PROMO CODE: CHELSEA25
APPLES - 16 INCH KIT

POLYPODIUM on Cream
CHERRIES - 16 INCH KIT

HOSTA HALCYON on Cream
LEMONS - 16 INCH KIT

DRYOPTERIS on Cream
GRAPES - 16 INCH KIT

HOSTA BLUE SHADOWS on Cream
SHADE GARDEN on Cream with GREEN TRELLIS BORDER
Elizabeth Bradley offers a stunning array of over 150 beautiful

Elizabeth
tapestry kit Bradley offersand
designs, wool a stunning
accessories.array of
Designing
over 150
premium beautiful
luxury tapestry
needlepoint kit our
has been designs,
passionwool
for over
30
andyears,accessories.
with each andDesigning
every kit being hand-assembled
premium luxury to ha
include a colour chart, easy to follow instructions, quality ca
needlepoint
canvas and our own has line
been our tapestry
of 4-ply passionwool,
forspun
overand
30 inyears,
dyed the UK.with each and every kit being W
With a professional and
hand-assembled courteousa customer
to include colour chart,serviceeasy
team,towe can help
follow you every step
instructions, of the
quality ev
way, from choosing your design, to making up a beautiful soft furnishing that will last a lifetime. so
canvas and our own line of 4-ply tapestry wool, spun and dyed in the UK.
Take up this pastime for hours of enjoyment and a stunning addition for the home. en
With a professionalVisit
anduscourteous customer service team, we can help you
online at: www.elizabethbradley.com
every step of the +44
Telephone: way,(0)1865
from 339
choosing yourorders@elizabethbradley.com
050 Email: design, to making up a beautiful
soft furnishing that will last a lifetime. Take up this pastime for hours of
Like us on /EBneedlepointUK Follow us on @ EBneedlepointUK
enjoyment and a stunning addition for the home.
GARDENERS
COTTAGE NOTEBOOK
Plants are the stars in this garden, whether they
have a specific function or are purely ornamental
the Mediterranean, and like Above A circular pool is

intense sunlight, he explains set into paving. Red
bricks laid on the
of the shady garden. diagonal help disguise
The fifth and final path the irregular shape of
leads through the sunniest the courtyard.
part of the garden in front
of the house, past roses, Thalictrum, Clematis, bearded
irises, chives and hardy geraniums, before arriving at
THE MOUND STRIKING LAYERS a dining table, a lovely spot to eat outdoors. Nearby,
Created by Ivan Hicks from One of the most striking trees
to the side of the house, is a courtyard garden with a
unwanted spoil left over after in the early summer garden is
collection of pot-grown succulents, hostas and ferns,
digging out a pond, it is topped a mature Chinese dogwood
and a round pool. I wanted it to be relatively formal,
with a stone column installed (Cornus kousa var. chinensis),
and rather had to shoehorn it into the space, he
by Jim. By early summer, which breaks out in layer
explains. Sadly, it has proved difficult to maintain, and
both mound and column are upon layer of creamy white
always seems to be on the verge of going green.
engulfed in wildflowers such as bracts that eventually become
The irregularly shaped courtyard is ingeniously
buttercups and cow parsley. pinkish-red.
landscaped, so it is no surprise to learn that, before
training in horticulture, Jim was a bricklayer. Nothing
is square, but by running the paving diagonally, it
detracts from the lack of symmetry, he explains.
Ordinary paving slabs are dressed up with a framing of
red bricks that echo the colour of the terracotta pots.
Jim and Sarah have amassed a large collection of tender
succulents with exotic-sounding varieties of Sedum,
Aeonium and Echeveria. We just started collecting
them on a whim. Theyre handsome plants, very
satisfying to grow, and need little care, provided you
protect them from frost.
For many professional gardeners, coming home to
yet more gardening is anathema, but Jims role at West
Dean Gardens involves considerable administrative
minutiae rather than hands-on gardening. I love
A STAGE FOR PLANTS SHELTERED ALCOVE gardening on an intimate scale, engaging with the soil
There is a consistency of When Jim first placed a bench and plants, he says. And, if I have one talent, it is for
presentation throughout the at the bottom of the garden continuous hard graft. A garden is really important to
garden, with much to stimulate against the fence, it was rather me because I need to live in beautiful surroundings. It is
the eye and senses. In this chilly. So, he planted box uplifting to the soul.
corner, Jim uses a small garden hedging and gradually shaped
bench as staging for tulbaghias it to enclose the bench on three Gardeners Cottage opens in aid of the National
and succulents. It is a take on sides. It is pretty robust, so Garden Scheme on 14 May, 11am-5pm. Gardeners
an auricula theatre, with an old I can cut it during winter, Cottage, West Dean, Chichester, Sussex PO18 0RX.
iron gate creating a backdrop. he says. See ngs.org.uk

ORDER BY POST
Yes! I would like to give a subscription SH
THE ENGLI
UK:
to The English Garden
PAYMENT OPTIONS GAR DEN
OCTOBER
2016
sses
For everyone
who loves beau
tiful gard ens www.theenglis
hgarden.co.uk
Glowing gra
Direct Debit: 13 issues for 39.50 - SAVING 40% + FREE GIFT and vibran
t
perennials
Credit / Debit Card or Cheque: 13 issues for 42.50 - SAVING 35% + FREE GIFT
Overseas: JAPANESES
MAPLE
Credit Card or Cheque: 13 issues for 49.50 - SAVING 34% NO GIFT Small garde
n
trees with the
Transforming
with stonemason
the garden at Fairstow
terracing and steps

Steve Whetton
and continuing
e was never going
spending countles
to be a short-ter
s months building
m project,
ves
brightest lea
Almost a decade to return to complete sections of
has passed since new projects.
garden and he David first set
is pleased with to work on transfor
YOUR DETAILS
the way in which
gently merging
with the countrys it is gradually maturin ming the
and we keep making ide around it. The g and
tweaks as we go garden has evolved
The
the further we along, he says. greatly
move from the It gradually gets
Planting is designed house. wilder
ART of ITY
gentle, muted tones to provide colour throughout
in the year, beginnin
as summer progress spring. These gradually turn g with
es, with dahlias, to blazing reds
and penstemons Crocosmia Lucifer and oranges
IC rdens
among the flowers
MyPL
, Knautia macedo
Today the garden used to increase nica
Name SIspl
extends to around the intensity of
variety of roles three-an planting.
throughout the d-a-half acres and perform
contemplating, year: it s
as well as a playgrou is a venue for entertaining, relaxing a
designed ga
To us the garden nd for David and and
is a joy, says David, Karins grandch
of gardeners led ildren.
Cri
who maintains
n appeal
by Neil Ross. it with the help
I love being out of a team
with autum
here early in the
4.30 with a gin and morning or sitting
tonic watching
iration y end of the day. the sun go down
Autumn insp
I am very proud at the Clockwise from
top
over the past 10 of what we have
years." achieved left Dahlia Mambo
rperr
e from Wate
bears deep pink
Address
BORDER advic
petals; waterfal
winter
Fairstowe is open ls are
N ready for
by appointment powered by
pumps
To arrange a visit for group tours.
Get your LAW write to: Fairstow and make the
most
RIES Bath BA2 6AY. e, Prospect Road,
s for BOUNDA
of the slope;
statues
Clever trick
48 THE ENGLISH add serenity
Y foliage
GARDEN AUGUST to the
Zen garden.
s with FIER
2016
Top 10 plant
14:54
02/09/2016 FEATURE_Fairstowe.in
dd 48-49
1
Cover3_Oct.indd
Postcode Country
Email
Telephone
RECIPIENT'S DETAILS (if applicable)
Name
Address
Postcode Country Glorious gardens

From cottages to castles,
BEST UK OFFER - SAVE 40% - PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT
owners and gardeners
Annual Direct Debit (UK only): Yes, please send me the next
+FREE share their knowledge and
GIFT
13 issues for just 39.50 Saving 40%
Please fill in the whole form using a ballpoint pen and send to:
pass on valuable advice
Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society
To the Manager
Plants and planting
Bank/Building Society Discover more about
different varieties and pick
Address
up wonderful ideas for
Postcode your own garden
Name(s) of Account Holder(s) Originators Identification Number

9 1 3 3 1 7
Bank/Building Society account number Bank sort code

Reference (for office use only)

Signature SAVE
OVER
2
Instruction to your Bank or Building Society
Please pay The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd, Direct Debits from the account detailed in this
instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that
this instruction may stay with The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd and, if so, details will be passed
electronically to my Bank/Building Society.
PY *
CHEQUE / CREDIT / DEBIT CARD ORDERS PER CO
I enclose my cheque for ________ payable to The English Garden
Please debit my Visa/Mastercard/Maestro/Delta the sum of ________
Card no.
The English Garden is a
constant reminder of the
Expiry Date Maestro only: Issue no. Security no.
beauty of English gardens,
and keeps alive not only the
Signature Date British tradition of
COMPLETE THE FORM & SEND TO: gardening but the passion
The English Garden, Sovereign Park, Lathkill Street, that all gardeners feel for
Market Harborough, LE16 9EF, UK
PLEASE NOTE: You may cancel your subscription order at any time. Unless you cancel, your the plants and flowers that
subscription will continue automatically. Direct Debit subscribers always enjoy our best rate.
*Prices and discounts calculated using the UK rate of 66. Free gift is available to UK subscribers when do so well in our cool temperate climate.
paying by direct debit only. Gift also subject to availability and we reserve the right to exchange to an
alternative gift. The offer ends 16/08/2017.
Privacy Policy: The English Garden may send you details of our products and services which we think would be of
Heres to the next 20 years! Alan Titchmarsh
interest to you. Please tick if you do not wish to receive such offers . Occasionally we may pass your details to
selected companies. If you do not wish to receive their products or offers please tick this box . CTEGP7S6
SPECIAL GIFT
SUBSCRIPTION OFFER
THE PERFECT GIFT FOR FRIENDS, FAMILY & FELLOW GARDENERS
Join us in celebrating 20 years of

AUGUST 2016
Catmint, geranium
and Alchemil
make sure this
gardens vital
landscaping
feel overwhe
THE ENGLISH
hard
doesnt
lming.
GARDEN 49
s
la mollis
The English Garden magazine

Give a gift subscription
21/11/2016
12:48
from 39.50 for

the next 13 issues
FRE E
Save 40%*
B U RG O
N & BAL PLUS you will receive
SECATE L
these fantastic secateurs
18.99 *
URS WO
RT H
FREE* to keep for yourself
or give to your friend
Celebrating 20 years
of The English Garden
In 2017, The English Garden magazine
celebrates its 20th anniversary two decades
of sumptuous issues, a visual feast for
everyone who loves beautiful gardens.
Give a gift subscription today

FREE secateurs worth 18.99*
Save over 2 per copy - saving 40%*
Never miss an issue
*Gift applies to Direct Debit orders only
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
WITH THESE EASY OPTIONS
www.chelseamagazines.com/CTEGP7S6
+44 (0) 1858 438854 and quote CTEGP7S6
Complete and return the postal form adjacent
DESIGN GUIDE | LONDON

Setting
Boundaries
Jo Thompson designed a multi-
purpose space that appeals to its
rose-loving owner, and her five sons
WORDS ANNIE GATTI

PHOTOGRAPHS RACHEL WARNE
W
hen designer Jo Thompson
first visited her new clients
garden in west London, she
faced a blank canvas of a
grassy rectangle, 20m long
by 7m wide and empty of plants or structures. But
she quickly discovered that it would be an unusually
challenging project. The garden was overlooked at
the back and sides, and there was an overhanging
mature tree in a neighbours plot that was casting
shade across the middle of it. Then there was the
clients brief. She wanted a garden that was full of
flowers, especially roses; she wanted a pizza oven
and space for herself and her five sons, who were in
their teens and twenties, to entertain their friends;
she didnt want to see the whole garden at one
glance, and she didnt want to wait too long to enjoy
the floral exuberance of a romantic flower garden.
Jos first response was to divide the garden
into four different areas, placing a terrace at each
end, which would provide separate seating and
dining areas, and creating a grid of predominantly
rectangular beds between and around them, to
contain the profusion of plants the client had
requested. She staggered these borders, so that the
view to the bottom of the garden, where the oven is
sited, would be partially obscured from the ground

floor kitchen, which is the heart of the house and

opens on to the garden via bi-fold doors. Next she
addressed the need for more privacy. I knew that
overhead structures would cut the line of vision from
the overlooking houses, but it was a question of
what those overhead structures would be, says Jo.
Putting oak pergolas in such an urban setting, or
anything too ornate, wouldnt have worked because
the focus would have been on them. I wanted
something that looked as if it extended from the
house, so we chose a pergola that would mimic the
frame of the bi-fold kitchen doors.
The first pergola extends across the width of the
garden, while the second one, which marks the
boundary of the end terrace where the pizza oven
is located, is in two sections and has a more open
design. I wanted to signal that youre moving into a
different area here, explains Jo.
The room that leads into the end terrace
offers the only change of level in the garden: two
bespoke curved benches, placed facing each other,
asymmetrically, on either side of the stepping-stone
path, create the retaining walls for raised beds.
A pair of espalier apple trees marks the informal
boundary between this room and the most richly
planted part of the garden, which has space for
just two chairs against the sunny brick wall. The
generous terrace next to the kitchen has room for a
table and chairs, and a
collection of terracotta Right Geraniums
pots which the client and roses create an
plants up every year for English garden feel in a
generously sized border.
summer colour.
Below The terrace
Additional privacy nearest the house has
is provided by bespoke ample room for seating.
slatted fence panels on the boundaries an expensive

but worthwhile choice as the slats allow light to
filter through. If it were a solid fence, explains Jo,
it would feel like you were in a large box. It also
provides height for the climbers to grow into.
Jo and her client had long discussions about the
planting list, which focusses on roses and Clematis,
with perennial stalwarts such as geraniums,
Astrantia, Salvia Caradonna, Iris Blue Rhythm,
Cirsium rivulare, Echinops, Brunnera Jack
Frost, Alchemilla mollis and Thalictrum delavayi
providing interest throughout summer. The client
very much wanted to garden and in high season
spends about two hours every weekend tying in,
deadheading and watering. She knew exactly which
roses she wanted and gave Jo a wish list of varieties,
many of them pink. Some roses have been wildly
successful New Dawn, Snow Goose, Rambling
Rector and Gertrude Jekyll while others from
the wish list, such as Rosa moschata, have refused to
flower, and have since been taken out.

FACT FILE
Design Jo Thompson. Tel: 01580 201593;
jothompson-garden-design.co.uk
Contractor Shoots and Leaves.

Tel: 020 8563 7733; shootsandleaves.co.uk
Pergolas and benches Shoots and Leaves.

Tel: 020 8563 7733; shootsandleaves.co.uk
Lighting Adjustable lights by Hunza.

Tel: 01299 269950; lightideas.co.uk
Fence panels Shoots and Leaves.

For similar try The Garden Trellis Co.
Tel: 01255 688361; gardentrellis.co.uk
Paving Porcelain paving slabs and

tumbled sandstone setts, London Stone.
Tel: 01753 212 950; londonstone.co.uk
This is a garden that Above Astrantia major

struts its stuff from May thrives in dappled light.
Left A pretty corner, with
until September, which
rose Gertrude Jekyll.
is when Jos client and Far left Sweet peas
her sons want to use clamber through the
it. It needs a fair bit of garden, and add scent.
pruning two or three
times a year and annual mulching of the beds means
that growth has been luxuriant in the five years
since it was planted. The grass, which the client
determinedly re-seeds, is undoubtedly a struggle,
mainly because of the shade from the neighbouring
tree, and also because the garden is used far more
than she or Jo ever anticipated. Both are amazed at
the number of 20-somethings who walk in and say:
This is so beautiful.

Design Details
Pizz a oven
Jo and her client wanted to keep the chimney as
close to the wall as possible, to maximize the space
for food preparation and dining, so they opted for a
simple shape with a flat front. The curved opening
in the base makes a sheltered store for the wood,
and granite shelving on the boundary wall provides
surfaces for cooking utensils. The Valoriani oven,
once it reaches its optimum temperature, cooks
pizzas in just over a minute.
Furniture
The 19th-century oval metal table and chairs on the
end terrace were bought by the client at an antiques
fair. She found complementary metal chairs and
small tables at Ikea which, when used with cushions,
are surprisingly comfortable, she says. After a couple
of years, she found their white colour too dominant Veitchs Blue and Veronicastrum virginicum Above Containers of
and has since had all the furniture commercially Fascination, provide a veiled effect as you look seasonal bedding bring
extra colour during the
sprayed, in a mellow shade of grey-green, which she down the garden which also helps to increase summer months.
finds more restful. the sense of profusion. Jo specified roses such as Below A flat-fronted
ramblers Flicit Perptue and Adlade dOrlans pizza oven takes up the
Pergola and climbing New Dawn for the pergolas for their least amount of space.
Below left Wide brick
The contemporary pergola is made from powder- elegant tumbling habit. Climbers that flower on the benches, topped with
coated steel in the same shade of gun metal grey as shadier side include Madame Alfred Carrire and hardwood, provide
the bi-fold kitchen doors. Climbing plants can be The Generous Gardener. roomy seating.
tied into the steel wires that extend across the top
of the frame. Pots
The client plants up a selection of terracotta
Planting plants for additional colour. She experiments
A range of taller plants, such as Cirsium rivulare, with combinations, but increasingly she likes
Anthriscus sylvestris Ravenswing, Echinops ritro to mix Salvia Caradonna with pink-carmine
Argyranthemum and Helichrysum microphyllum.
Terraces
Tumbled sandstone setts were chosen
for the more informal look they give to
the end terrace. Their sandy colour tones
well with the London stock brickwork,
and it provides a more forgiving surface
for the cooking area. The larger
porcelain slabs on the first terrace tone
with the pale tiles in the kitchen. A
seamless effect is created by lining up the
terrace tiles with the kitchen ones.
Benches
The bespoke curved benches have a
base of blockwork faced with London
stock brick, to blend with the existing
brick walls, and are topped with meranti
hardwood which is also used for the
bespoke slatted fencing panels. At
75cm at their deepest, these benches
comfortably seat four or five people each.

Take advantage of our complimentary Garden Design Day on 9th August 2017
for more information visit www.inchbald.co.uk
Login to 40 years
of garden design expertise,
online or in-house
Courses cover professional garden design to designing your own garden
A high standard of teaching is central to

Inchbalds outstanding success and forms the
basis of an international reputation developed
over 40 years teaching garden design.
Exceptional teachers will guide your progress
on all Inchbald courses to ensure you
achieve professional competence.
So whether you are aiming for a successful
career in garden design or simply looking
to design your own garden, you wont find a
better established or more renowned school
than Inchbald.
Find out more using the details below or visit
our website.
Full time, part time and online

design courses available.
55
In partnership with:
CREATING
CAREERS
YEARS
E S T A B L I S H E D 1 9 6 0
020 7630 9011 | sharon.gardens@inchbald.co.uk | www.inchbald.co.uk

BY APPOINTMENT
TO HRH THE
PRINCE OF WALES
SUPPLIER OF
TERRACOTTA POTS
THE WORLDS MOST EXCLUSIVE

COLLECTION OF CRETAN
TERRACOTTA POTS
The Barns, East Street, Turners Hill,
West Sussex, RH10 4QA
01342 714793 potsandpithoi.com
CERAMICS ANTIQUES WATER FEATURES MEDITERRANEAN CAF

SUMMERHOUSES
A Garden Escape
Katherine Sorrell considers the options for a comfortable, good-looking garden
retreat, whether intended for entertaining, work or quiet relaxation
WORDS KATHERINE SORRELL IMAGE GAP PHOTOS/MAXINE ADCOCK
HOME FROM HOME Generously sized, this chalet-style summerhouse enjoys a substantial wooden deck on which you could easily set up
a deckchair or two for a drink in the sunshine while admiring your hard work in the garden. Large windows allow plenty of light inside,
while the blue and white paintwork is smart without being jarring, although paint options to suit the colour scheme in your garden are
limitless. For similar, try the Morston summerhouse, from 3,300, cranegardenbuildings.co.uk

STAN FAIRBROTHER
GARDEN STRUCTURES
BEAUTIFULLY HAND CRAFTED BESPOKE DESIGNS
01772 814274
WWW.STANFAIRBROTHER.CO.UK
WWW.STANFAIR
H AT F I E L D H O U S E ,
G A R D E N A N D PA R K I S HOUSE, PARK & GARDENS
OPEN NOW
T H E P E R F E C T P L AC E
TO V I S I T T H I S S P R I N G .
Whether you want to immerse yourself

in the history, lose yourself in the
beautiful gardens or simply take a stroll
around the Stable Yard Shops Hatfield
House has something for everyone.
WWW.HATFIELD-HOUSE.CO.UK
01707 287010 STABLE YARD SHOPS
VISITORS@HATFIELD-HOUSE.CO.UK & RESTAURANT OPEN NOW
SUMMERHOUSES
A well-conceived
summerhouse,
whether grand
or modest in scale,
will enhance almost
any garden setting.
A
garden shed is all very well for storing the the garden. But you may have more serious intentions: perhaps
lawnmower, boxes of nails and spare inner tubes. you will throw parties there, or use it as a spare bedroom on
Tucked inconspicuously in the corner of your occasion. Or you might require a properly equipped home office,
garden, it is a humble workhorse; the epitome gym, music room or art studio, with storage and perhaps an area
of functionality. But why not be more ambitious for small meetings. At this point, it is worth bearing in mind that
and add a useful building that is outside yet inside, attractive and it is sometimes necessary to obtain planning permission for a new
comfortable; a shelter that prolongs the season for which you can outdoor structure seek advice before you buy, from your retailer
socialise and dine outdoors, or even one that or your local authority.
provides a year-round work space? In short, For some garden rooms security is important
a fully functioning garden room. Often it is so glass rather than plastic windows (maybe
Garden buildings take many forms, from a
small timber summerhouse that is simply one
somewhere to even double glazed), a sturdy door, high
quality ironmongery and a proper lock are
step up from a traditional shed to an all-singing relax, escape with all desirable. You may want heating, lighting
and dancing permanent structure that you
could live in. They include gazebos and log a good book and and even a water connection, in which case,
unless you plan to go off-grid with solar or
cabins, hobbit-like pods and gypsy wagons,
Bedouin tents and thatched rotundas: in short,
enjoy a view of wind power, you should take account of how
easy it will be to bring the supplies across from
virtually anything your imagination and budget the garden your home. The swishest outdoor buildings
can conjure up. You can buy them off-the-shelf, offer fully insulated floor, walls and roof,
have them made from scratch to your own design or customise underfloor heating, electric lights and power sockets, but there
IMAGE GAP PHOTOS/NICOLA STOCKEN
a standard model to your needs. are no limits on what you can add: think en suite bathroom, green
Cost aside (a modest affair might set you back less than 1,000, roof or surround-sound cinema, for example. On the other hand,
but anything large and lavish can easily move into five figures) your simplicity is delightful, whether in the form of a cute shepherds
first considerations will be how much space you have available hut with an armchair and a wood burner, a romantic tent with
and what purpose the garden room will fulfil. Often, it is simply fairy lights and bunting or a classic gazebo with a tiled roof and
somewhere to relax after a few hours potting-up and weeding, to weathervane. The options really are endless. The garden room may
escape with a good book and a glass of wine and enjoy a view of be a fairly recent innovation, but it looks as if it is here to stay.

SUMMERHOUSES
VINTAGE CHIC Made from corrugated tin with original OCTAGONAL ASPECTS With leaded lights and a timeless
salvaged windows and doors, a custom-made tin tabernacle octagonal shape, this classic summerhouse allows all-round
has a highly distinctive style, and can be fitted with views from inside, and a sociably circular seating arrangement.
sophisticated interior fittings and decoration to order. Bespoke It is lined and insulated for year-round use. Wiveton
tabernacle, from 17,500, lovelanecaravans.co.uk summerhouse, from 9,700, cranegardenbuildings.co.uk
A MODERN POD These precision-built, cedar-clad pods are POOLSIDE LUXURY This architect-designed swimming pool
packed with insulation and built for durability, warmth and pavilion within a listed walled garden is built from Cotswold
weatherproofing, with double-glazing and electrics as standard. stone, with oak posts on saddle stones and a slate roof. Choose
Decor and furnishings are by a professional interior design materials that match the house and local vernacular for
company. Garden Pod, from 19,950, gardenhideouts.co.uk outbuildings that blend with the landscape. See yiangou.com

IN THE SHADE A sheltered spot for relaxation outdoors, this ON DECK Float above the water in a lakeside summerhouse
gazebo with a cedar shingle roof and pretty arches is available with double doors and a decked area in front. Create this look
with six or eight sides, bench seating and in a choice of paint inexpensively by buying a basic summerhouse, upgrading
colours. It is the perfect retreat to escape hot midsummer sun. the roof with shingles and painting it inside and out. Try the
Sunbury gazebo, from 5,790, gardenaffairs.co.uk Winchester summerhouse, 349.99, shedsworld.co.uk
IMAGE GAP PHOTOS/HEATHER EDWARDS
HIP TO BE SQUARE This square summerhouse with a hipped A GOOD FIT Designed to tuck into a corner, this airy
roof is hand made in western red cedar, with traditional leaded summerhouse features margin detailing on the windows and is
glass. Glazed on three sides for plenty of light, it would suit available in natural timber or a range of colours. Seating with
both urban and rural gardens. The Richmond, from 6,500 integral storage is optional. Newhaven corner summerhouse,
including installation, chelseasummerhouses.co.uk from 6,250, scottsofthrapston.co.uk

SUMMERHOUSES
CLASSIC ORDER If you wish for something rather more SHEPHERDS HUT These distinctive wheeled shelters with a
permanent in your garden than a wooden structure, how about curved roof and corrugated-tin walls were once part of our
a stone pavilion in classic Graeco-Roman style, with pillars farming landscape; now they make appealing garden spaces,
and a gracefully angled pediment? For similar, try the cast often fitted with a wood-burner for extra comfort. Try the
stone Pavilion L9300, 7,686, haddonstone.com Plankbridge Classic, from 22,225.20, plankbridge.com
IMAGE GAP PHOTOS: MARK BOLTON/HOWARD RICE/ABIGAIL REX/LYNN KEDDIE
GYPSY CARAVAN Romany gypsies started to live in horse- UNDER CANVAS For contemporary style and a laid-back,
drawn caravans in the mid-19th century. Today, a brightly boho vibe, a Bedouin tent-like awning makes a great shelter-
painted bowtop caravan makes a dramatic addition to a cum-social area, especially when kitted out with banquette
garden, and a delightful hideaway, too. For handmade, seating and lots of colourful cushions. For similar, you could
towable bowtop wagons (POA), try gregsgypsybowtops.co.uk commission a bespoke Sky Shade from albioncanvas.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
2017INTERNATIONAL
2017 INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE
CREATIVE
LAWN STRIPES
LAWN STRIPES COMPETITION
COMPETITION
NW
ith winter now behind us, lawnmowers across the country are again
ow grass is growing strongly, lawnmowers across the country are
coming out of hibernation ready to return lawns to their former glory.
busy working to keep lawns looking their very best for summer. The
The quintessentially British striped lawn is idealised across the world
quintessential British striped lawn is idealised across the world, and in
and in celebration of this Allett Mowers, a leading British manufacturer of cylinder,
celebration of this, Allett Mowers, a leading British manufacturer of cylinder,
walk behind mowers-the ultimate tool for creating perfect stripes, once again
walk-behind mowers
invites you to show offthe ultimate
your tool to
own creation for creating
find the mostperfect
creative stripes invites
grass stripes
you to show off your
and patterns in 2017.lawn to find the most creative grass stripes and patterns
in 2017.
TheThecompetition
competitionencourages anyone
encourages anyone with
with a for
a flair flair for creativity
creativity and prideand pride in
in their
their turf
turftoto enter
enter andand compete
compete for thefor
title,the title, the
creating creating the most pleasing
most aesthetically aesthetically
pleasing striped
striped turf inturf in the This
the world. world.
yearThis year, the
the winning winning
entry will beentry
judgedwill be judged
on creativity by on
Alletts
creativity byteam of lawn
Alletts teamexperts with final
of lawn experts.placement
Final decided
placement by Jonathan
will be Thompson,
decided by
Greenkeeper
last years winner,atJonathan
a private estate in ThirskGreenkeeper
Thompson, who won the competition
at Mount last year with
St John his
Estate
entry shown to the right and receiving his prize below it.
in Thirsk, pictured middle right, receiving first prize for his entry (shown top
right).
TheThe winner for
winner for2017 will again
2017 will receive
receivean Allett Kensington
an Allett 17K cylinder
Kensington lawnmower,
17K cylinder
along with the ALLETT Complete Lawn Care System of six interchangeable
lawnmower, along with the Allett Complete Lawn Care System comprising six
cartridges consisting of an aerator, a scarifier, a lawn brush, a dethatcher,
interchangeable cartridges: an aerator, a scarifier, a lawn brush, a dethatcher, a
a verticutter and a 10blade cartridge together with two cartridge stands.
verticutter and a 10blade cartridge together with two cartridge stands.
The runner-up will receive a brand new Allett Liberty 35. This Lithium Ion
The runner up will receive an Allett Liberty 35. This Lithium Ion battery powered
battery- powered
cylinder lawnmower,cylinder
launchedlawnmower,
in 2017 useslaunched in 2017,in uses
the latest advances the latest
new technology
advances
to give you all the benefits and convenience of cordless mowing. Free from trailing of
in new technology to give you all the benefits and convenience
cordless mowing.
or being Free
tethered from
to an a trailing
electric cable,electric
it offers acable or quieter
greener, being tethered
alternativeto
to ahelp
plug
socket, it offers
keep a greener,
your lawn perfectly quieter
striped and alternative to help keep
in prime condition. your to
In addition lawn perfectly
the Liberty 35
striped
theand
runnerin up
prime condition.
will also In addition
receive a scarifier to the
cartridge Liberty
which 35, be
can easily the runner-up
interchanged
will also
withreceive a scarifier
the cutting cylinder as cartridge
all the 14that can be
cartridges easily
from interchanged
the Allett withCare
Complete Lawn the
System
cutting can be.
cylinder, as can all the 14 cartridges from the Allett Complete Lawn
Care System.
ThisThis yearto
year, to celebrate
celebrate thethe
launch the Liberty
launch of therange all entrants
Liberty range,whoallmeet the entry
entrants who
conditions will be entered into a draw, the first picked from a hat
meet the entry conditions will be entered into a prize draw, giving everyoneat random will win
a Liberty
a chance 30, smaller
to win. brother
The first to thetoLiberty
entrant 35 giving
be picked everyone
random a chance
will to win. 30,
win a Liberty
smaller brother to the Liberty 35.
All entries are welcome, regardless of how big or small your lawn is. We will
All entries are welcome, regardless of how big or small your lawn is. We will
be looking for the most creative, eye catching design that truly shows off the
be looking for the most creative, eye-catching design that truly shows off the
craftsmanship and dedication that goes into grass maintenance. That special
craftsmanship and dedication that goes into grass maintenance: that special
wow factor. Kensington 17K Liberty 35
wow factor.
To To
enter
enterthe
the competition simply
competition simply email
email a photograph
a photograph of your
of your creation to creation to
2017lawnstripescompetition@allett.co.uk
2017lawnstripescompetition@allett.co.uk along with your full addressaddress
along with your full and
and contact
contact details
details before
before midnight
midnight GMT onGMT on 312017.
31 August August 2017.information
For more For moreplease
information
visit
please visit www.allett.co.uk.
www.allett.co.uk.
Tel: 01889 271503271503

Tel: 01889 Web: www.allett.co.uk Email: sales@allett.co.uk
Web: www.allett.co.uk Email: sales@allett.co.uk
Kensington 17K Liberty 35

Rediscover the
Romance of
Roses...
Every rose from

our extensive world
leading collection is of
the nest quality and will
bring you weeks of pleasure
this summer and for many years to come
Order today, from our ever growing
collection of ready to plant container roses,
with the condence that over the past two
years, each rose has been lovingly cared for,
cultivated and then handpicked especially
for you by our experts.
Our inspirational catalogue A Treasury of
Roses is the most comprehensive catalogue
you could wish for. To receive your free copy
and special welcome offer please visit our
website or telephone the nursery quoting EGJ17.
London Road Attleborough Norfolk NR17 1AY

01953 454707 www.classicroses.co.uk
MA IL OR D E R GARDEN CEN TRE DI SPLAY GARDENS
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Classic Design Ideas

Gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show spark trends and embrace fashions,
but they also feature enduringly stylish elements that work at home, too
E
very year at the RHS Chelsea Flower
Show, new fashions emerge as the shows
garden designers somehow tap into the
zeitgeist of the moment and embrace a
new material or an exciting plant. Many
gardens at last years show had elements in common,
Stone, copper and
from fashionable copper to universally appealing
IMAGE GAP PHOTOS/JS SIRA
shades of purple feature

in a garden designed wood and stone. Weve picked five inspiring themes
by Charlie Albone at
Chelsea 2016.
that ran through gardens at Chelsea 2016 which we
predict will be as popular at this years show, and
illustrate how they can be used at home.
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Charlie Albone
Giles Rayner for Nick Bailey

COPPER
Burnished metal
Coppers warm colour is an ideal tone for gardens,
blending well with leaves in myriad shades of green
C
opper has been the metal of choice for
interiors for some time, but designers at
Chelsea 2016 took it outside. On Nick
Baileys garden for Winton Capital,
an elegant, faceted water bowl by Giles Rayner,
inspired by a pine cone, caught everybodys eye,
while the copper-edged rill that ran down the steps
on Charlie Albones garden for Husqvarna was
the perfect complement to geometric, stepped box
GET THE
and angular hornbeams on stilts. Chris Beardshaw LOOK
chose a coppery-toned bronze sculpture by John
OConnor to form the centrepiece of his show Play with colour using
garden, subsequently moved to Great Ormond Street these lightweight
vintage-look planters.
Hospital in London.
Aged copper planter,
Ever-popular Corten steel, with its rusty, coppery 75 for a set of three,
finish, was in evidence, too chunky blocks formed coxandcox.co.uk

Ann-Marie Powell
John O Connor for Chris Beardshaw
Paul Martin
GET THE
IMAGES GAP PHOTOS: ROBERT MABIC/HEATHER EDWARDS/JS SIRA; ALAMY
LOOK
Keep warm after the
sun goes down with a
brazier. Glasto fire pit,
a water feature in Paul Martins Garden for it at home or boldly embrace the trend with from 60, woodlodge.
Mindful Living. And on Ann-Marie Powells the addition of a sculpture (try David Harber) co.uk. Add a hint of
copper with a cloche
Greening Grey Britain garden for the RHS, or a water feature, such as one from the Burford
and keep slugs and
copper bird feeders poked playfully from a grassy Garden Company. It is not going to go out of style snails off plants. Copper-
meadow of Geum and Aquilegia. soon; various designers are using it at this years rimmed cloche, 29.99,
It is a material that is easy to use in gardens; show. The timber pavilion at the heart of Charlotte waitrosegarden.com.
Make a statement with
coppers warm tones are the perfect complement Harris garden for Royal Bank of Canada will be
a bold copper sculpture.
to the greens of foliage and turf. Copper-finish lined with copper, a mineral in which Canadas Bite, from 20,240,
containers are an easy way to experiment with Boreal region, which inspired her garden, is rich. davidharber.co.uk

New English Art Club Annual Exhibition
Over 400 new paintings, drawings and prints
16 to 25 June
Free entry
with this
The Mall, London SW1 voucher
www.mallgalleries.org.uk
NEAC English Garden quarter.indd 1 05/05/2017 16:29

Hardwood Conservatories
934-Hever-Garden-The-English-Garden-99x129-AW.indd 1 04/05/2017 11:01
Orangeries
Lantern Roofs
e us at
Come and se
lk Show
Royal Norfo
June.
28th and 29th
m Flower
Sandringha
ly.
Show 26th Ju
Buy direct from the manufacturer | Bespoke quality at a competitve price

For our brochure or further information contact Quayside Conservatories on
01502 714512
visit our website, or send us an email enquiries@quayside-conservatories.co.uk
www.quayside-conservatories.co.uk
Durable
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Catherine MacDonald
Cleve West
NATURAL STONE
Solid rock
Stone in shades of creamy grey and buff add structure
IMAGES GAP PHOTOS: JOANNA KOSSAK/HEATHER EDWARDS/JENNY LILLY
to gardens without compromising a natural look
S
ubtle, natural hues were the order of the
day when it came to stonework at Chelsea
2016, whether it was chunky boulders
in Cleve Wests M&G garden, globes in
Catherine MacDonalds garden for Hartley Botanic,
Jekka McVicars centrepiece water bowl, or the
stone-filled gabions on Sarah Eberles Hilliers plot.
This year, James Bassons garden inspired by a
Maltese quarry will feature large pillars of stone,
while Tracy Foster is using chalk boulders to recreate
the landscape of Yorkshire.
Jekka McVicar
GET THE
LOOK
Pale stone has a classic
look that is ideal
for formal gardens,
while urns are always
a pleasing addition.
Linford urn, 148.80, Sarah Eberle
chilstone.com

Trevor White
Old Fashioned Roses
Established 1984
Specialists in roses ancient and modern.

Discover our unique collection of over 500 Shrub, Climbing and
Rambling roses including many rare and unusual varieties.
Quality bare root plants direct from the grower.
www.limesandvines.co.uk
www.oldroses.co.uk Alfresco living and styling
01603 755135 Come and visit us at RHS Hampton Court
Fine Bronze
Sculptures
avantgardenguernsey.com
Tel: 01481 246611
Fine Bronze Sculptures

Over 500 Designs New to the UK
Fine Bronze Sculptures
Free Delivery to Your Home in the UK
Over 500 Designs New to the UK
Telephone: 01481 246611
Free Delivery to Your Home in the UK

Telephone: 01481 246611

CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Hay Hwang
PURPLE SHADES
Regal colour
Instantly inject Chelsea style into your garden by
using one of the shows most prevalent colours Leucadendron Burgundy Sunset
IMAGES GAP PHOTOS: ANNA OMIOTEK-TOTT/JS SIRA; SAM CHURCHILL
I
t is no coincidence that purple is often in
evidence at Chelsea so many plants whose
flowering time coincides with the show, such
as alliums and salvias, have purple blooms.
Hay Hwang used mauve irises and Phlox last year,
while purple-leaved Leucadendron Burgundy
Sunset featured on Charlie Albones Husqvarna
garden. On the Papworth Trust garden, entire walls
were painted purple. And this year, the Breaking
Ground garden, by Andrew Wilson and Gavin
McWilliam, will feature patches of purple heather.
GET THE
The Papworth Trust LOOK
Add purple in small
amounts for a
subtle look by using
accessories or painting
furniture. Cuprinol
Garden Shades paint in
Summer Damson 2.5L, Lee Bestall
15.50, cuprinol.co.uk

Watfords hidden gem Call us Learn more
01296 481220 osmouk.com
Cheslyn House and Gardens
Have you ever seen a sweet gum, Indian bean or tulip tree? You can see
all of these, along with spectacular collections of flowers at
Cheslyn House and Gardens, Nascot Wood Road, Watford, WD17 4SL.
Designed by Henry Colbeck, renowned architect, the house and gardens NO MORE SLIP UPS!
are one of Watfords best kept secrets. The grounds also host a pond,
rock garden, large herbaceous borders and an aviary. ANTI-SLIP DECKING OIL: Highest quality top coat for wood decking
Entrance to the gardens is free, 9am to 8pm during the summer. The
| | | |
house is available for hire by charities, voluntary and community groups. 9 9 9 9 9
Please visit watford.gov.uk/cheslyn for more information MICROPOROUS NATURAL SLIP-RESISTANT OIL-BASED HIGH COVERAGE
Quality Garden and Special Interest Tours

at Home and Abroad
Gardens & Wildflowers of Arts & Gardens in Cornwall Naples & the Gardens of the
South Africa: Western Cape Amalfi Coast
Wildlife, wildflowers, and world-class Artists have been drawn to Cornwalls The balmy climate of the Amalfi Coast is
wines South Africa has it all. Explore shimmering seas, coastal towns and heaven for lush exotics and tender trees.
the immense Cape of Good Hope Nature wonderful gardens for over a century And with its dizzying cliff-top villas and
Reserve, home to a huge variety of and its little wonder. See the fruits historic botanical gardens, grand grounds
indigenous flora; marvel at the Southern of their labour in sculpture gardens and designed for Bourbon kings and elegant
Right Whale migration, and even take in museums, and take your own inspiration cypress-studded borders, its certainly
the view from the top of Table Mountain. from the incomparable scenery. heaven for garden lovers, too.
Departures: 24 August 2017 Departures: 4 September 2017 Departure: 25 September 2017

15 nights from 4,395 4 nights from 625 6 nights from 1,595
Single Room Supp. 520 Single Room Supp. 140 Single Room Supp. 480
Call: 01334 657155 | Email: info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com

Brightwater Holidays Ltd, Eden Park House, Cupar, Fife KY15 4HS 5020
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Sam Ovens
CHUNKY TIMBER
Timeless wood
IMAGES NEIL HEPWROTH; GAP PHOTOS: JOANNA KOSSAK/ANNA OMIOTEK-TOTT
For essential hard landscaping or simply a finishing

touch, timber will never be out of style
E
nduringly stylish and long-lasting, AkzoNobel garden
wood is used at Chelsea in every way
possible: an imposing red cedar deck in
Sam Ovens 2016 Cloudy Bay garden; Chris Beardshaw
timber-edged beds in the AkzoNobel garden; a
sheltered pavilion made out of sturdy oak in Chris
Beardshaws garden; and a path of chunky oak slabs
in Dan Bristows Garden of Potential. It will play an
important role in Beardshaws 2017 garden too, with
sculpted oak and limestone creating the Morgan
Stanley gardens pavilion focal point.
GET THE
LOOK
Wooden planters sit well
in all styles of garden,
from contemporary
to classic country, and
are ideal partners for
topiarised plants. Planter
in spruce, 60cm, 150,
gardentrading.co.uk

Dan Bristow
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Rosy Hardys Forever Freefolk
Senri Sentei
TURQUOISE ACCENTS
Uplifting hues
IMAGES GAP PHOTOS: HEATHER EDWARDS/
Rosy Hardys Forever Freefolk

JACQUI HURST/ANNA OMIOTEK-TOTT
Turquoise notes were all over Chelsea 2016, and can be

used to introduce a lighter, brighter mood at home, too
A
line of turquoise ran along the colourful
path in Rosy Hardys Forever Freefolk
garden; turquoise cladding framed
a circular view inside Senri-Senteis
Ann-Marie Powell ingenious garden that incorporated a car. On Chris
Beardshaws garden, Jilly Suttons Fallen Deodar
sculpture in Himalayan cedar was finished in a
compelling shade of blue-green. Add a note of this
vibrant colour as simply as Ann-Marie Powell did,
with coloured furniture, glazed pots and ceramics
or verdigris bronze.
GET THE
Jilly Sutton for Chris Beardshaw
LOOK
Glazed containers are
the simplest way to
introduce a highlight of
colour such as turquoise.
Woodlodge Falling
Rainbow palm planters,
5.99-29.99, see
woodlodge.co.uk
for stockists.

LEARN TO
The UKs largest range of Quality Garden Furniture
BECOME
A GARDEN
DESIGNER
Unrivalled quality and service At the London College of Garden
Design our aim is to provide world-class,
inspirational garden design training.
Our one year Garden Design Diploma
was created to enable students to learn
from the very best in the profession.
Free delivery to your garden in days
Our students have consistently won the Society of

Garden Designers prestigious Student of the Year
Award competition and recent graduates have won
medals at RHS Shows.
VISIT us on Stand 53, Western Avenue
at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show We now also offer an intensive 6 month Planting
Design Course delivered by some of the UKs leading
for exclusive discounts
planting design specialists including Nigel Dunnett,
Jo Thompson, James Basson and Rosy Hardy.
With classes at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and
short courses at RHS Garden Wisley and other venues
you can be sure to get inspirational teaching from
world-class designers in the heart of London.
CONTACT US
+44 (0)1483 762955
info@lcgd.org.uk
020 8804 7474 lcgd.org.uk
www.bridgman.co.uk
LCGD Ad English Garden June 2017
June 2017.indd 1 08/05/2017 09:01:07

APlaceI
n TheGarden
Planters WaterFeatures Decorati

veObj
ects Li
ghti
ng Fi
rePi
ts
aplacei
nthegarden.
co.
uk Tel:01403864866
A celebration of colour and scent in the

largest rose gardens in the South West.
Great Torrington, Devon 01805 624067
rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262
FUTURE FUND
The Beauty of Islam

garden at Chelsea
2015, designed by an
Inchbald graduate:
Kamelia Bin Zaal.
Take a New
Direction
Want to fulfill your dreams of becoming a garden
designer? Enter this years competition to win
IMAGE ALAMY
The English Gardens Future Fund bursary, in

association with Inchbald School of Design

FUTURE FUND
W
e are delighted to launch The English its alumni, including Luciano Giubbilei and Marcus Barnett. Our
Gardens Future Fund bursary for 2017, an winner will study for the One Year Online Diploma in Principles
incredible opportunity for budding garden and Practices of Garden Design a part-time, distance-learning
designers to start a brand new career. In course with a minimum of 10 hours formal learning a week and
partnership with Inchbald School of Design, assignments for tutor feedback worth 7,015.
our Future Fund winner will have the chance to study garden For your chance to win this fantastic prize, entrants must design
design at the college, with course fees paid. The winner will also a small garden for a terraced house (see page 112 for how to enter).
help build a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2018 and Sketches will go before our judges Inchbald managing director
IMAGES ALAMY; SHUTTERSTOCK
take part in a week of work experience at Janine Pattison Studios, Andrew Duff, garden designer Janine Pattison and SGD chairman
the garden design practice in Poole. In addition, the Society of Philippa OBrien to be shortlisted and then it will be over to
Garden Designers (SGD) will give the winner a years free student readers of The English Garden to vote for the scheme they think
membership and two tickets to its much-anticipated conferences. most deserves to receive the Future Fund in 2017. This is a brilliant
Inchbald is one of the most prestigious design schools in the opportunity to launch a new career in garden design, network with
country and claims several Chelsea-gold-medal winners among some of the best in the industry and gain priceless experience.

Last years winner
Textile designer
Ruth Bridgeman
jumped at
the chance to
combine her love
of gardening and
the outdoors with
her passion for
design when last
years Future Fund
was launched. Id been considering a garden
design course for some time and the brief fit
perfectly with the spaces Im interested in, she
says. It must have been fate because that issue
of the magazine was the first I received as a gift
subscription from my parents.
Ruth was keen to develop her plant
WHAT IS THE knowledge and explore different styles of
FUTURE FUND? design during her time at Inchbald, where

she has just started on her year-long diploma
The English Garden Future Fund is course. Im excited to learn about applying
an annual bursary scheme launched design to 3D spaces and develop planting
by the magazine in 2014. The English schemes that work throughout the seasons.
Garden was left a large sum of money Im also going to relish working on briefs that
by a reader in her will, as thanks for are outside my own taste and interests.
all the joy and knowledge she had In the lead-up to this years RHS Chelsea
gained from reading the magazine. Flower Show, Ruth also helped Lee Bestall
This gave The English Garden an on his show garden 500 years of Covent
exciting opportunity to pass on Garden, which celebrates the long and varied
that generosity to the benefit of the commercial and social history of Londons
gardening community, through the Covent Garden. I was delighted to help
launch of the Future Fund. Last year, support the Future Fund and welcome Ruth to
Ruth Bridgeman won the public vote our team, Lee says. Playing a part at Chelsea
with her inventive roof garden design. was a great experience, adds Ruth. It was a
Previously, a 5,000 bursary was brilliant opportunity to be at a place that is so
awarded to assist with the funding of familiar from having visited the show, but to
Flower Pod, a cut flower and confetti see it in the early stages. It was helpful in terms
social enterprise in Nottinghamshire. of realising what can be done in such a short
space of time. Lee shared lots of hints and
tricks on building a garden, too.
At the end of her studies, Ruth hopes to
work as an independent garden designer. Id
like to be able to develop a portfolio of work
and experience so I can take on private clients.
Winning the Future Fund should enable me to
do that as the prize gives you experience as
well as a qualification.
For entrants to this years competition,
Ruth has the following advice: Read the brief
carefully and if it is not the kind of specification
you normally like, then research that type of
garden well before you enter. Try and think
about it from the clients point of view how
theyd experience the garden from the inside
and outside and care for the space.

FUTURE FUND
Judging panel HOW TO ENTER

Our three judges will shortlist Design a back garden for a middle-aged couple
this years entries before with no children. They have recently moved to a new
handing over to you, readers of house and are ready to focus on the garden, which is
The English Garden, to choose a blank canvas. The house is terraced, was built in the
our Future Fund winner 1900s and is made of red brick with a slate roof. There
are neighbouring gardens on all boundaries, and the
garden is overlooked from houses to the left and
JANINE PATTISON Janine is right, but not at the rear. The garden can be located
an award-winning landscape wherever you wish in a country village or a city
designer and horticulturist suburb but think carefully about how it will link to its
who trained with English surrounds, which you will have chosen. Its size is 6m
Heritage at Eltham Palace wide by 20m long with the house at the narrow end.
in London, and Kingston The garden faces south-west.
Maurward College in
Dorchester. A registered THE DETAILS
member of the Society of Produce both a plan and a 3D drawing on A3 paper,
Garden Designers, she also with colouring where appropriate. List on the plan
writes for national magazines your choice of hard landscaping materials and plants.
and newspapers. Make a copy of your drawings before submission.
Provide a 100-word supporting document
explaining the design.
Include a 200-word personal statement
explaining why you would be a worthy winner of
the Future Fund 2017.
ANDREW DUFF Andrew Send the entry to theenglishgarden@
has been a garden designer chelseamagazines.com or post it to The English
for more than 20 years, Garden, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, Chelsea
since graduating from the SW3 3TQ by the closing date of 7 August 2017.
University of Greenwich. Now The shortlisted entrants will appear in the October
working in his own practice edition of The English Garden, and after the vote has
and specialising in country closed, the winner will be announced on 8 November
gardens, he previously 2017, in the December 2017 edition of the magazine.
worked with the White Dutton THE PRIZE
Partnership and John Brookes A 7,015 bursary to study the Online Diploma in
OBE. He is managing director Principles and Practices of Garden Design at Inchbald.
of Inchbald School of Design in The chance to help with the build of a show garden
Belgravia, London. at Chelsea 2018.
Take part in a week-long work experience
placement at Janine Pattison Studios, Poole
A years free student membership of the Society of
Garden Designers and two tickets to use at the SGDs
PHILIPPA OBRIEN Philippa
annual conferences. Held in spring and autumn, the
is chairman of the Society of
winner can go to both conferences by themselves, or
Garden Designers and has her
take a friend to one, and gain unparalleled access to
own garden design practice.
the garden design world.
She studied horticulture
at Reading University, has
lectured on garden design
at Capel Manor College and
has been designing gardens
TERMS AND CONDITIONS If your application is successful, you agree
since 1991. Prior to setting to the terms and conditions, which can be found at theenglishgarden.
up her practice, she was a co.uk. You confirm that the information given in your entry is to the best
of your knowledge true and accurate and are willing to provide further
horticultural journalist. information if requested. If your application is successful, you agree that
The English Garden magazine/Chelsea Magazine Company Limited,
Inchbald and the Society of Garden Designers may use you and your
entry for publicity. Please note that we cannot return any supporting
documentation and will not be notifying unsuccessful applicants.

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO SUTTONS
Both entered for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
2017 Plant of the year competition Introducing
Introducing worlds first
Dwarf Mulberry Bush
Edelweiss Blossom of Snow
Leontopodium Alpine Plant
Charlotte Russe
PRE ORDER NOW! NEW UK EXCLUSIVE

Second release despatching Se
ptember 2017 Despatch from June 2017
Initial Release sold out. Edelweiss Blossom of Snow
Leontopodium alpinum, is
This new Dwarf Mulberry
a newly introduced form
Bush is a compact variety
of the popular and famous
only reaching a height of
perennial alpine plant.
approximately 1.5m (compared
Perfect for areas with cool
to normal mulberries that
summers, this variety is
can reach up to 8m in
perfect for a well-drained
height), making it suitable
mixed or perennial border, a
for any garden.
rockery or as a striking focal
Its self-pollinating, fully point in a pot on the patio.
hardy and fruits on both old
Producing an abundance
and new wood, meaning
of large, pure white
you can be picking
star-shaped flowers during
mulberries within the first
early summer that sit
year as opposed to the
above the low clumps of
usual 8 or 9 years it takes
silvery green foliage, the
most other mulberries.
plants become completely
Unlike other varieties that smothered in bloom, repeat
only produce fruit over a
NOW 1 PLANT flowering in early autumn.
9.99
3-week period towards the
17.99
The long, straight stiff
end of summer, Charlotte
stems make this ideal for
Russe (Matsunaga PBR)
3 PLANTS cutting and using in floral
produces berries over a very
long period, from May right
through until September.
20 arrangements.
ORDER NOW 24/7! ONLINE, BY PHONE OR POST

www.suttons.co.uk/AFP17 Call : 0844 326 2200
Suttons, Woodview Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7NG
SUTTONS ORDER COUPON I enclose Cheques/POs made payable to SUTTONS for

or charge my MasterCard/Visa/Maestro Account No. DEBIT MY A/C.
Post to: Suttons, Woodview Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7NG
Card No.
Please send me item(s) indicated
Expiry Card Security (last 3 digits on
Description CODE PRICE QTY TOTAL Start date : / Date: / Issue no: code: back of card)
Dwarf Mulberry 1 potted plant 26 16 38 17.99 Name: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms
Edelweiss 1 potted plant 26 25 20 9.99 Address
Edelweiss 3 potted plants SAVE 9.99 24 70 24 20.00
Postage & Packing 1 4.99 Post Code Email address

Telephone number
Grand Total:
(in case we need to contact you)
Signature
MEDIA CODE AFP17
Suttons Consumer Products. Co. Reg. No. 284448
SCH (Supplies) Ltd are British manufacturers of a range of products
for the serious gardener. Lawn care systems, garden trailers,
sprayers, watererer, broadcasters and much more can be found in
our brochure or online.
Contact us for a copy of our 80 page brochure, full

of equipment to keep your garden looking
beautiful.
Telephone 01473 328272

email sales@schsupplies.co.uk
www.schsupplies.co.uk
Award Winning Outdoor Living
See us at
RHS Chatsworth
& Hampton Court
Flower Shows
www.kadai.com Tel: 01694 771800

TOP 10 PLANTS
Herbs to Savour
1
PELARGONIUM
A scented Pelargonium will look
gorgeous in terracotta pots during
I
Ring the changes with flavoursome flowers and foliage
WORDS HAZEL SILLVER IMAGE GAP PHOTOS/CHRIS BURROWS
summer. The leaves of Attar of

Roses, which has a Royal Horticultural
t is easy to become stuck in a rut of thyme, rosemary and sage, but there are, Society Award of Garden Merit, have
happily, many other flavoursome herbs that will thrive in British gardens. a hearty rose smell that can be used in
Alongside parsley, mint, and our other familiar staples, we can liven up the pies, cakes and jams; and the pretty pink
kitchen by resurrecting some long-forgotten favourites cultivated by our flowers last well in a vase. Buy plants,
ancestors, and by trying herbs that are used in international cuisines. If rather than growing from seed, and place
you dont have room for a dedicated bed of culinary aromatics, they can be dotted these tender perennials in a sunny spot.
through borders, since many have attractive flowers or foliage that vie with purely Feed with tomato fertiliser during the
ornamental plants. A fair number will also thrive in containers, making for a growing season and as soon as there is
colourful summer display and handy picking. These 10 lesser-known herbs will inject risk of frost, bring the plants indoors, take
new life into the garden and the kitchen. cuttings, and trim back.

TOP 10 PLANTS
2
SALAD BURNET
In Tudor gardens, Sanguisorba minor
was planted between the paving
of paths so that its cucumber scent
would be released by foot traffic. Although it
is not a native, this evergreen hardy perennial
has naturalised here, and its knobbly, 50cm-tall
heads of red flowers are a common sight on
chalk grassland. To grow it as a culinary herb,
keep cutting it to encourage the production
of new oval-shaped leaves, which can be used
year round in salads, drinks and soups.
3
ANGELICA
Angelica archangelica creates
architectural impact at the back of the
border, with huge umbels of lime green
flowers atop stems of 1-2m. Adding the scented
young leaves to rhubarb and gooseberries reduces
the amount of sugar required. Angelica is biennial,
so buy plants this year to flower next summer. It
can be grown from seed, but as seed soon loses
viability take care to buy from a good supplier.
Grow Angelica in sun or semi-shade in moist,
fertile soil, and deadhead to prevent self-seeding.
4
LEMON VERBENA
The leaves of Aloysia citrodora AGM
make a refreshing lemon-scented
tisane for the summer months, and
can also be used to flavour sorbet. This tender
deciduous South American sub-shrub is said to
ease indigestion, insomnia and anxiety. It can
reach 2.5m x 2.5m in sun-baked, well-drained
soil; trim in spring and after flowering, and cut
to half its size in the autumn. Container plants
are best over-wintered indoors, and those left
in the ground should be protected with mulch.

5
BORAGE
The hardy annual Borago officinalis forms
a frothy mass of silver and blue, which hums
with honeybees all summer. The grey downy
foliage can seem thuggish, and will form a drunken
heap unless grown through support (such as a frame
of hazel sticks), but you will forgive it when it glows
in evening sunlight. Even orderly Louis XIV loved
borage, despite its scruffiness. Make ice cubes with
the cucumber-flavoured flowers to drop into glasses of
Pimms on hot days. It reaches 80cm tall.
6
SHISO
The claret purple leaves of Perilla
frutescens var. crispa AGM add
drama to the herb border. Said
to boost immunity, this Asian annual is
employed in traditional Chinese medicine
to prevent and fight colds. It is widely used
in Japanese cuisine, added to meat and fish
dishes, sushi, and salads, and used to dye
plums; having a taste similar to basil albeit
with a spicier, sharper edge it can be used
to make pesto, or sprinkled onto salads. Sow
in moist, well-drained soil in sun.
IMAGES GAP PHOTOS: JOHN GLOVER/DIANNA JAZWINSKI/MEL WATSON/TORIE CHUGG/SHUTTERSTOCK
7
LOVAGE
Loved by the ancient Greeks, who
chewed its leaves to aid digestion,
Levisticum officinale is a great addition
to the herb garden. The dark green leaves taste
of celery, and can be added to salads, stocks,
soups and stews. This Mediterranean perennial is
tolerant of most sites, but rarely flowers in shade,
and needs a roomy spot because it can reach 2m
tall by 1m wide. Trim in summer to encourage
new growth, cut to ground level in autumn, and
remove seedlings to control spreading.

TOP 10 PLANTS
8
SUMMER SAVORY
The Egyptians and the Romans brewed
love potions with Satureja hortensis but
today this half-hardy annual is used to
flavour salami; it is known as bean herb since it
reduces the flatulence caused by beans. It thrives in
well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered spot, resents
fertiliser, and grows to 25cm. If you want the sweet
peppery leaves to flavour vegetables and pulses, keep
picking them to stop the plant becoming straggly
and do not let it flower.
9
CHERVIL
Anthriscus cerefolium, also known as French
parsley, is not well known in the UK, but in
France its green, ferny leaves are widely used
to add a faint aniseed flavour to egg, chicken and fish
dishes, soups, vegetables, salads and sauces. Plant or
sow in well-drained soil; semi-shade is vital because
too much sun will create flowering at the expense of
the leaves. Sow it in late summer for leaves all winter,
when the plant must be protected with a cloche.
IMAGES GAP PHOTOS: ROBERT MABIC/FIONA MCLEOD/JONATHAN BUCKLEY
10
RED ORACH
Atriplex hortensis var. rubra, also
known as red mountain spinach, is a
useful 1-1.5m tall annual with raspberry-
maroon foliage and flowers. Use its bold colour in the
border to offset reds, oranges or lavender-blues (such
as Perovskia Blue Spire); and pluck the young leaves
to add colour to salads, or to make soup with potatoes,
leeks, garlic and stock. Plant or sow in well-drained
soil in full sun. It will self-seed with gusto, so thin out
seedlings to prevent over-crowding.

Readyhedge.
The home of variety.
The Readyhedge range of instant hedging is unrivalled

in the UK, giving designers and landscapers all the
choice they need from over 25 varieties, available at
varying heights in one-metre troughs or in our unique
Readybags, ready-spaced and ready to plant.
01386 750585
lindsay@readyhedge.com
www.readyhedge.com
READYHEDGE
READY-SPACED, READY TO PLANT, READY WHEN YOU ARE.
www.riviera-hottubs.co.uk
01803 663709 facebook.com/Rivierahottubs THE WOODEN BARREL HOT TUB SPECIALISTS

SPECIAL
TULIP
ROSE WEEK
FESTIVAL

SCULPTURE IN
PARTICULAR

7XSRIFEPPW'SQTER]WYTTP]XLIRIWXUYEPMX]
7XSRIFEPPW'SQTER]WYTTP]XLIRIWXUYEPMX]
WSPMHWERHWXSRIFEPPWXSHSQIWXMGERHGSQQIVGMEPTVSNIGXW
WSPMHWERHWXSRIFEPPWXSHSQIWXMGERHGSQQIVGMEPTVSNIGXW
EGVSWWXLIUKERHXLVSYKLSYXXLI[SVPH
EGVSWWXLIUKERHXLVSYKLSYXXLI[SVPH
E:IQEMP$WXSRIFEPPWGSYO
East Sussex/Kent border 01580 200888 E:IQEMP$WXSRIFEPPWGSYO
East Sussex/Kent border 01580 200888 W:[[[WXSRIFEPPWGSYO
pashleymanorgardens.com W:[[[WXSRIFEPPWGSYO
M: +44 (0) 7754 845398
pashleymanorgardens.com M: +44 (0) 7754 845398
T: +44 (0) 1636 626704
T: +44 (0) 1636 626704
Before After
Moss, mould, lichen STONEBALLS_ADVERT_160131_v1.indd 1
STONEBALLS_ADVERT_160131_v1.indd 1
02/02/2016 21:03
02/02/2016 21:03
& algae removers

Before After
No Bleach
No Water Blasting
Before After
No Caustic Materials
No Elbow Grease
Before After
Wet & Forget RAPID cleans parts others cannot reach!
Hose connection for automatic mixing

and RAPID application
Reaches up to 8 metres high Before
After Before
Spray from ground level to roof level
After
Both products can be used on ANY outside surface!
Just spray and walk away...our product works so you dont have to!
24hr Tel: 0800 999 3309 www.wetandforget.co.uk WITH THIS VOUCHER CODE: TEG20
CONTAINERS
Rosy Exuberance
Dont be afraid of growing roses in containers. Chosen carefully, they make
fine plants for pots, being able to produce a long-lasting floral display
Caryopteris Heavenly
Blue bears its powder-
blue flowers in early
summer. Cut back, feed
and water for a second,
later flush.
Pennisetum Rubrum
makes a dramatic
counterpoint in both
colour and form, with its
arching, grassy leaves.
N
Pink-tinted flowers
appear in late summer.
ot many gardeners naturally of Pennisetum Rubrum, pretty Caryopteris x

associate roses with container clandonensis Heavenly Blue, with silvery infill
growing, but if the right cultivar from lavender. The Fairy has all the attributes of
is chosen, they can help create a a perfect container rose: compact growth the right
beautiful container. They work proportion for a pot, and a floriferous display.
IMAGES GAP PHOTOS:FRIEDRICH STRAUSS; ALAMY; SHUTTERSTOCK
well planted individually in a large container; Keep deadheading to encourage more flowers to
choose a pot that has a diameter and depth of at form, and keep the appearance of the pot smart.
least 45cm to make sure there is ample room, and Applying a potash-rich fertiliser such as Phostrogen
use a soil-based compost John Innes No3 is ideal will ensure the right nutrients for flowering are in
that will provide the nutrients roses require. ample supply, too. Above all, make sure the soil
Good choices for planting individually include doesnt completely dry out.
Sweet Dream, with its full-petalled flowers in When the plants outgrow their pot, all can go Lavender grows well
apricot, or Bianco, smothered with pompom-like out in the garden. The Fairy makes wonderful in pots, particularly if a
small white flowers in profusion, but roses also ground cover, effectively smothering weeds with its container offers well-
drained soil when the
go well with other partners to make a rounded bushy habit, and producing its dainty pink flowers garden doesnt. Lightly
display. Here, in this eye-catching curved pot, Rosa in quantities that put other ground cover choices shear after flowering to
The Fairy is teamed with the rich maroon blades in the shade. keep the plant compact.

L
ETYOURBODYBREAT
HE
t
he
wool
room
NAT
URALHEAL
THYS
LEEP BEDS BEDDING NURSERY AC C ESSO RIES
Transformation Digging Cultivation
Available
Available from crocus.co.uk, waitrosegarden.com and leading retailers.
Tel: 01279 401570 info@pedigreegarden.co.uk
www.pedigreegarden.co.uk
ID2017_PedigreeEnglishG Half page Ad.indd 1 20/01/2017 14:06

PLANT FOCUS
Iris 'Kissed by the Sun'

lives up to its sunny
name with cheerful
yellow falls.
Rise & Fall

IMAGES NICOLA STOCKEN
Their magnificent yet fleeting display makes bearded irises garden plants
to treasure says Nicola Stocken. She explores the colourful range grown
by Claire Austin, iris breeder and National Collection holder

PLANT FOCUS
C
ome early summer, dawn breaks Above Claires home in type of plant, although the very sandy soil at my
over Claire Austins nursery to the Welsh hills overlooks fathers nursery at Albrighton was a great benefit,
the collection of irises.
reveal countless bearded irises in she recalls. Learning by dint of being very hands-on
Below left Claire Austin
a rainbow of glorious shades and inspects some of her was to prove an excellent apprenticeship and marked
colour combinations. Not so long hybridised plants. the start of a love affair with bearded irises. I find
ago, bearded Iris flowers were restricted to blues, Below right Jazz their shapes and range of colour combinations
Festival is a scented buff
white or purples, with a few yellows thrown in, but especially appealing, she says.
pink and violet variety.
today, as a result of hybridising, they come in almost Although there are some 300 Iris species (including
every colour, except true red and black, says Claire irises without beards), all bear flowers composed
who holds a National Collection of more than 500 of three upper petals, known as standards, above
bearded irises at her nursery in mid-Wales, within three lower petals known as falls. Bearded irises
sight of the Shropshire hills.
It is now seven years since Claire and her husband,
Ric Kenwood, moved to the 20-acre smallholding,
delighted to have sufficient space to grow and trial a
wide range of perennials, as well as developing large
collections of both herbaceous hybrid peonies and
bearded irises. I inherited the initial collections from
my father, David Austin, she explains. He started
the collection in the early 1980s, with an eye to selling
them in the nursery should his roses fail to sell.
Unlike her green-fingered father, Claire had
originally trained in art, which, while proving
invaluable for compiling plant catalogues, meant
learning, largely through trial and error, about the
plants she had inherited. Fortunately, she never found
irises difficult to care for. They are a plant-and-go

How to grow irises
Prevent over-crowding and
divide regularly for best results
Bearded irises grow best in well-
drained soil that is not acidic, and in a
spot that is bathed in as much sun as
possible. In really wet, or very acid soils,
the rhizome can rot, and the plant die,
says Claire.
They also dislike being crowded in
by other plants. Bearded irises resent
competition, especially around their
rhizomes, Claire adds.
Traditionally, rhizomes are planted six
weeks after flowering, placed in a hole
deep enough to take the roots and half
the bottom of rhizome, but with the
top showing above the soil. Claire waits
until late August or September, when
the hottest, driest days have passed,
the rhizomes are fully mature and the
ground is still warm.
Irises multiply by sending out new
rhizomes, abandoning the old ones
to rot. Consequently, they need to be
divided once every three years. Lift the
clump from the ground with a garden
fork and split it into smaller sections
they should snap apart. Throw away the
are distinguished by a caterpillar-like line of white or Above Light blue falls are
old, central rhizome and replant those
coloured hairs crawling out of the throat of the falls, overlaid with deep violet
on Inside Job. with fresh green tops, trimming the
which attracts pollinating insects, Claire explains.
Below Carnaby leaves to about 15cm tall.
Sporting greenish-grey, sword-like leaves, bearded combines peach-pink
irises vary in height between standard and miniature with rose purple.
dwarfs both around 20cm tall to tall bearded
irises which, standing at over 70cm, are the last to
bloom. These are often scented, and are ideal for
using as a focal point, either grouped together, or
mingling in with other perennials, says Claire.
Bearded irises stand tall amid the herbaceous
planting in Claires own garden, with varieties such
as lavender-and-white Fogbound blending with blue
aquilegias, or dark violet Wild Wings contrasting
against Geranium Blue Cloud and pink Centaurea
montana Carnea. I tend to plant in groups of two
or more, creating an outward-facing wall with the fan
of leaves. This prevents nearby plants from swamping
the rhizome, and reducing flowering, she says.
In another bed, burgundy-tinted Fortunate Son is
immersed in a sea of pink Pimpinella major Rosea,
and the russet, ruffled flowers of Copatonic stand
alongside the lupin Masterpiece. Nearby, a clump of
Cirsium rivulare Atropurpureum, a perennial with
a long flowering season, is teamed with Bethany
Claire, a blue remontant Iris that produces a second
flush of blooms from August. Flowering seasons

FREE
Discover 400 years of
English gardens
Beepalaces are the stylish way to provide a nesting place

for solitary bees whilst creating a colourful feature in your
garden. They are made in England, and the frost resistant
ceramic body is made in Stoke on Trent.
Simply hang the beepalace in a sunny aspect of a garden about 4
to 6 feet from the ground. It is designed to attract bees such as the
red mason bee - a benign but incredibly efficient pollinator. Because
these bees are essentially harmless, the beepalace can be hung close www.geffrye-museum.org.uk
to seating and dining areas of a garden.
www.beepalace.com info@beepalace.com
Telephone: 07774 444064 Hoxton 136 Kingsland Road, London E2 8EA 020 7739 9893
SPECIA L O F FER
Buy this Towerpot for just 25.95
(incl p&p) when you purchase any
2 packs of strawberry plants.
Vibrant Symphony Code: 211GS
Flamenco Elsanta
Vibrant: This early season variety produces wonderfully
sweet, glossy red, conical shaped fruits with an excellent
flavour and quality. shows good resistance to powdery
mildew and crown rot. Fruits mid June to early July.
Code: 043 Price: 15.10 13.59 (inc p&p)
Symphony: Bears good yields of very firm, juicy,
medium-large sized berries which have a very bright-red
glossy appearance. Does exceptionally well in the north.
Garden Sculpture Flavour: Very good. Fruits throughout July.
Code: 018 Price: 15.10 13.59 (inc p&p)
Original, Contemporary, Affordable Elsanta: Elsanta is a wonderful variety which is grown
extensively by commercial growers. It produces heavy
www.fivetwo.co.uk crops of large attractive berries with a very good flavour.
Fruits late June to mid July.
Code: 025 Price: 15.10 13.59 (inc p&p)
Flamenco: When fully ripe the fruit colour is
intensely red and has an excellent flavour. It is
resistant to powdery mildew. Fruits mid
FREE
August to mid October. Grow Your Own
Code: 034 Price: 17.55 15.80 (inc p&p) Strawberries book
Please write to: KEN MUIR LTD, Dept TEG17JU, Honeypot Farm,
Weeley Heath, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO16 9BJ
Call 01255 830181 or visit:www.kenmuir.co.uk
please call for p&p charges to off-shore islands & Scottish Highlands
PLANT FOCUS
vary, so a garden can be blessed with bearded

irises from March, in the warmest, most southerly
counties, until November, she notes.
It is now a decade or more since Claire began cross-
pollinating bearded irises, focussing largely on the
taller cultivars growing in an ever-widening trial bed
in her back garden. Im aiming for tall and elegant,
not big and blowsy, she says. Hens pick their way
between these flowers; they are unchecked as they
seek out the slugs that are the bane of an Iris-lovers
life. Unfortunately, the hens wont eat big slugs, so
I tried ducks which were doing well, until the fox
made off with them, Claire says. Unwilling to use
slug pellets so as to protect the hedgehog population,
Claire instead uses beer traps to combat this ongoing
problem effectively. That is why there are so many
glass jars dotted around, she explains.
To the untrained eye, every one of Claires
painstakingly bred cultivars is a beautiful flower,
ranging from an iridescent indigo-and-cream with
gold-laced standards, to an unusual variety with
caramel-coloured petals streaked with chocolate.
But, it turns out that good looks and seductive colour
are not enough. It is tempting to focus on colour,
but both my father and Piet Oudolf look first at form,
and the way plants grow. I agree with this approach,
so when Im selecting a new variety to trial, I am
primarily looking for a lovely branching habit with
lots of stems and buds.
Claire is inspired by the work of other hybridists Above Dainty blooms of leafy clumps with purple at the base of the leaves,
such as the American, Paul Black, who is breeding Bumble Bee Delight. and these are really useful plants.
small-flowered but tall varieties. Another Below right Fortunate When it comes to colour, she aims at producing
Son smells of oranges.
consideration is the substance of the petals, she something different. I want to add to the diversity
Below left One of
points out. If they are too thin, they are more prone Claires as yet unnamed of what is already out there I cant see the point
to damage by rain and wind. And it is not only cultivars in caramel with in doing otherwise. As a result, Claire is especially
flowers for which she looks. Some sprout lovely chocolate markings. selective, avoiding obvious crosses such as blue with
blue. You simply get another blue it is a very
dominant gene. However, by crossing blue with a
graceful white variety, for example, she has produced
some lustrous flowers that stand proud in the trial
bed. Here they are marked casually with a stick to
indicate their selection for further trialling. Among
the kaleidoscope of colours, only blacks and reds are
missing. There are no true blacks, most are purple-
black or blue-black, and red is impossible as this
colour is not found among bearded irises, she points
out, adding: It would be nice to get a near-black-
with-white combination.
It takes two seasons for an Iris to develop from
fertilisation to flower. Then, Claire makes an initial
selection to bulk up, and trial. After a couple of years
of trials, she splits each bulked-up clump and keeps
monitoring the individual plants. By this stage Im
looking for a combination of beauty of form with
a really garden-worthy plant that has either lots of
stems, or up to 11 buds per spike, and a flowering
season of around three weeks. As each year passes,
the numbers in the trial beds swell, so it is only a

PLANT FOCUS
matter of time before she Left Iris Ladys Friend

puts a name to the very boasts petals in a pretty
shade of garnet.
best. I am still trialling
Above Some bearded
a lot of my own crosses, irises have fragrant
to see how they compare flowers, such as lemon-
with what is already scented Godfrey Owen.
Below right The petals of
available, she notes.
pale blue Cloud Ballet
In the meantime, are defined by a slightly
Claire grows many darker edge.
well-established Below left Contrasting
blue beards on peach-
varieties. Among them,
flowered Concertina.
Celebration Song stands
out with soft apricot
standards, lavender-blue falls and orange beards. In
2003, it received the Dukes Medal which is awarded
annually in the USA to the best Iris following trials
lasting some years. More often than not these are
excellent plants, she says. Another, Decadence,
has frilly apricot standards, dark magenta falls and
orange beards, and is a particular favourite with Iris
breeders. It has been parent to many wonderful new
varieties. Then there are those with striking colour
combinations: Florentine Silk has pink standards
above violet falls and orange-tinged beards. Newer
introductions, such as Ink Patterns, have lovely
patterning, while others still are grown for their
fragrance: Godfrey Owen smells of lemons, whereas
Fortunate Son is distinctively orange-scented.
The bearded Iris collection is open to general

viewing from 10am-4pm on 2 and 3 June. Claire
Austin Hardy Plants, White Hopton Farm, Wern
Lane, Sarn, Newtown SY16 4EN. Tel: 01686 670342;
claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk

MPS_Advert_EnglishGarden_June17_AW.pdf 2 10/05/2017 11:45
Stake heavy-headed
delphiniums individually or
use five stakes round a clump
01673 308090
www.lincspplants.co.uk
Keep your lawn edges neat and clear with edging
hoops. Install our umbrellas over your standard
roses and wisterias and tie new growth in for
spectacular standards.
www.muntons.net
01285 706511
Muntons at:
Cedar Nursery
Horsley Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3JX
Architectural Plants
Stane Street, North Heath, Pulborough RH20 1DJ
Burford Garden Company
Shilton Road, Burford OX11 4PA
Hortus Loci
Hound Green, Hook RG27 8LQ
plant
plant
plant
plant supports
plant
plant
plant supports
supports
supports
supports
supports The Aqua Globe Acrylic Water Feature
Beautifuldesigns
Beautiful
Beautiful
Beautiful designs for
for herbaceous
herbaceous perennials,
herbaceous perennials,
perennials,
perennials,
Beautiful
Beautiful designs
designsfor
designs herbaceous
for herbaceous
for herbaceousperennials,
Beautiful designs for herbaceous perennials,
perennials,
perennials,
Beautiful
roses,
roses,
roses,
roses,
designs
roses,shrubs
shrubs
shrubs
shrubs
shrubs&&& for herbaceous
& climbers.
climbers.
climbers.
Made
Made
Made
climbers. Made
&climbers. Made
in
in
in
in
in
perennials,
England.
England.
England.
England.
England.
England.
enquiries@aquaglobe.co.uk
roses,
roses, shrubs
shrubs
roses, shrubs & climbers. Made in
& climbers. Made
Made in England.
inEngland.
England.
www.leanderplantsupports.co.uk
Tel: 01773 550495 for a
www.leanderplantsupports.co.ukbrochure
Tel: 01773 550495 for a brochure
www.aquaglobe.co.uk
Tel:
Tel:
Tel:01773 550495 for aa
01773550495 brochure
brochure
Tel:
Tel: 01773
01773 550495
550495 for abrochure
Tel: 01773 550495 for a brochurebrochure
brochure
LEANDER FP EGUK.indd 1 10/08/2015 10:30

Long established as the leader in all design and gardening tuition and
ll
based at the unique and historic Chelsea Physic Garden ll ll
ONE YEAR GOOD GARDENING DIPLOMA COURSE
n n
BOOKING NOW September 2017 June 2018
Covers the best in planting design while training in the more serious aspects of horticultural techniques.
Working sessions at Sissinghurst with head gardener Troy Smith and lectures by many leading gardening
personalities. Regular visits to outstanding private gardens.
(1 day a week (Tues), 10.30am3.15pm, over three 10 week terms)
10 WEEK INTENSIVE GARDEN DESIGN DIPLOMA COURSE

January March 2018
Covers all you need to know in this diverse subject, including TWO real design projects and CAD tuition.
Drawing skills, estimating, plant knowledge, water features, garden lighting and visits to the work of
leading designers with Rosemary Alexander and other tutors.
(3 days a week in school, 10.30am-3.15pm, plus 2 days homework)
Chelsea Physic Garden

GARDEN DESIGN & CARING FOR YOUR GARDEN
Distance Learning Courses study anytime, anywhere in the world. Not sure which Diploma course is for you?
A stepping stone to a new career. Come along to an information session to see our
These two courses are a step by step guide to either designing your own garden or learning how to plant location and find out more.
and maintain an existing garden: drawing up plans, hard landscaping, site analysis, planting, month by www.englishgardeningschool.co.uk
month tasks etc. Taught through a comprehensive course book, with projects submitted by post. Email: info@englishgardeningschool.co.uk
1-3 years to complete and individual assessment. Tel: 020 7352 4347
PLANT PARTNERS
White Light
Plantsman Adrian Bloom examines companions for Hydrangea Annabelle,
including the partners he uses in the gardens at Bressingham, Norfolk
W
hat an amazing plant
popular Hydrangea
arborescens Annabelle
is. The Latin name might
suggest it is a tree-like shrub,
but in reality and uniquely Annabelle is best treated
as an herbaceous perennial cut to the ground in
early spring. From there, new vigorous bright green
shoots emerge; and small lime green flowers begin to
appear as early as June. Attractive though these are,
the flower heads swell over the course of the summer
months to become rounded balls of pure white
bracts by August. Some arch over on slender stems,
borne down with the exuberance of growth.
The flowers continue looking good until autumn,
then gradually fade following fruits. Once they have
aged to a crisp brown, they are perfect for using as
bold but delicate dried heads in flower arrangements
that can last all through winter.
Easy to grow in sun or part shade where the soil
is not too dry, Annabelle is a striking plant on its
own or enhanced by other nearby perennials, shrubs
or grasses. If it is pruned each year, it will reach
90cm to 1.2m in height.
Perfect partners for Hydrangea Annabelle
Eupatorium purpureum Kniphofia Tawny King Rudbeckia fulgida Goldsturm

Being green at first and then turning This striking red-hot poker with large This is one of my top perennials for its
to white, the flowers of Annabelle orange and cream flowers stands out long and cheerful late-summer display.
contrast both in form and colour with in contrast to the large rounded white It grows well in most sunny situations
plants that match its peak flowering heads of Hydrangea Annabelle. Cutting provided they are not too dry. This
IMAGES RICHARD BLOOM
period. The deep purple of statuesque away spent flowers of Tawny King will varietys golden, daisy-like petals with
Eupatorium purpureum Gateway is improve appearance and encourage a their black centres contrast with the
an obvious and easy choice, creating longer flowering period, as will dividing startling white flower heads of blowsy
summer-long interest. and replanting every few years. Annabelle the perfect complement.
The Bressingham Gardens and Nursery, Low Road, Bressingham IP22 2AA. Tel: 01379 688282; thebressinghamgardens.com

The English Garden_Finalsan 99x129_5-17_(GB)_Layout 1 11.05.17 08:22 Seite 1
Effective against
tough weeds
*
Always read the label and product information before use.
tackles weeds quickly

Use plant protection products safely.
long lasting effect against

* according to OECD 301 F
regrowth of tough weeds
www.neudorff.co.uk
Finest Chicken Houses,

Animal Arks & Wooden PRE
MIE
RR
AN
GE
Garden Products 25
-
YE
ARS -
Specialist designer and builder of

animal and bird housing.
Duck Houses Chicken Houses Chicken
Arks Dovecotes Tortoise Houses Bird
Tables Owl Boxes Aviaries Rabbit Houses
All products now include shipping to mainland England & Wales.
For further information visit our website or

email us with your request
hello@granddadrobdesigns.co.uk
www.granddadrobdesigns.co.uk !"##$%&'%%#()*%)"+
ID1812_QTR EnglishGarden Ad.indd 1 15/01/2016 10:05

COTTAGE GARDENS
A well-tended
cottage garden
is an image of
perfection, and
belies humble origins.
Halcyon
Imaginings
A vision of nostalgia, cottage-garden style is as coveted
today as it was when Victorian aristocrats reimagined
their tenants humble gardens, says Sandra Lawrence
WORDS SANDRA LAWRENCE IMAGE GAP PHOTOS/ELKE BORKOWSKI

COTTAGE GARDENS
D
Above A climbing rose rifts of colourful perennials jostle Society. The original cottage dwellers had a pretty
around the front door fragrant climbers; joyful self-seeders hard time of it.
here Flicit Perptue
jumble past the odd, random exotic. The precursors to the classic English chocolate-
epitomises cottage-
garden style. Rustic fruit and vegetables clamber box gardens would have been simple affairs.
up characterful hazel poles behind Potagers supplied working-class households with
a half-timbered, thatch-roofed idyll deep in the basic crops and somewhere to keep a pig or a few
countryside. A topiary beast, weathered sundial, chickens. Some found room for a beehive, which
battered arch or homemade obelisk may act as an would have been a welcome source of sweetness
eye-catcher; more usually the plants are the stars. before sugar became widespread.
It is a contrived image to sell an idyllic lifestyle, Home-grown vegetables were essential and, in the
admits Patricia Foster, chair of the Cottage Garden days before universal health care, herbs formed the

Ideal plants for a cottage-garden border
Pretty flowers over the summer months are a hallmark of most cottage-garden favourites
ROSES Ramblers happily scramble VIOLETS Sweet violet (Viola odorata) HOLLYHOCKS A variety of colours
through trees and hide unsightly brings a fragrant whiff of Victoriana against a wall or at the back of the
outbuildings. Choose a highly scented to quiet corners. It will grow in sun or border lend height and structure. Grow
variety for heady summer evenings. dappled shade, and in most soil types. as an annual to avoid problems with rust.
ALCHEMILLA MOLLIS Ladys mantle ORIENTAL POPPIES All poppies work FOXGLOVES One of the oldest
is quietly elegant ground cover best nicely in the cottage garden, but the traditional plants in the cottage-garden
enjoyed in the mornings when overnight furry leaves and buds of the oriental lexicon. Introduce these biennial plants
dew shines like diamonds on the leaves. varieties are particularly lovely. two years running for annual blooms.
IMAGES GAP PHOTOS/RICHARD BLOOM; SHUTTERSTOCK
SWEET PEAS Choose a traditional DAY LILIES The brightly coloured HONEYSUCKLES It is hard to beat our
cottage-garden mix for perfume; trumpets of Hemerocallis flower scrambling native woodbine (Lonicera
varieties bred for the show bench often constantly for weeks on end over periclymenum) as the sweetest smelling
prize stem-length and colour over scent. clumps of bright green strappy leaves. honeysuckle of them all.

Natural wildflower turf

from Lindum
Benefits of Wildflower turf Support where its needed

Plant Supports (UK) Ltd have the largest range of Plant
Create beautiful swathes of wildflower Supports within the UK. All handmade in Tenbury Wells,
meadows across the garden Support where its needed
Worcestershire. Made by Gardeners for Gardeners.
Prolonged flowering period Plant Supports (UK) Ltd have the largest range of Plant
Supports within the UK. All handmade in Tenbury Wells,
Pre-grown wildflower turf, means Worcestershire. Made by Gardeners for Gardeners.
that plants are ready established
Attracts butterflies and pollinators
Low maintenance
Plant Supports (UK) Ltd are extremely proud to supply totally British, Robust supports,
manufacturing high-quality plant supports not only for the Herbaceous
10%
DISCOUNT, and Shrub borders but also for the vegetable garden.
ENTER
PROMOTIONAL For details or to order visit
CODE
EGJUNE
www.plantsupports.co.uk
or call 01584 781578
Plant supports (UK) Ltd. Skipperley, Rochford, Tenbury Wells, Worcs WR15 8SL
COTTAGE GARDENS
family medicine cabinet. Scented flowers masked

unpleasant household smells and tempted pollinating
insects to the vegetable patch, while stone and soft
Creating a cottage garden
fruit supplemented a monotonous diet. Gardens Use key materials and plants, and let nature take its course
would have been tended after long working hours,
Y
sometimes by moonlight, merely because that was
ou dont need a huge
when there was time.
garden, says Patricia
Yet it was aristocratic garden lovers, celebrating
Foster. If you have the
their tenants humble homes as a nostalgic image
space you can have an old-
of Olde England, who started reinventing and
fashioned cottage garden and it
reimagining cottage gardens on a grander scale.
will be a riot, but modern cottage
The Cottage Gardener magazine (1848-1861) set
gardens are more streamlined,
the scene for the styles late Victorian heyday. Irish
theres more of a design element.
gardener and writer William Robinsons influential
Nature doesnt think about
books, The Wild Garden (1870), The English Flower
design, though. Plants will self-
Garden and journal The Garden, promoted ideas
seed and there is sometimes a holly, crab apple and hazel work
of natural planting, eagerly adopted by devotees of
happy accident. beautifully. Lavender, once
the Arts and Crafts movement. By the Edwardian
Lots of people have to grow strewn about the house, remains
age, gardens by trailblazers such as Gertrude Jekyll
in pots and tubs these days and much loved by humans and bees.
began to truly resemble what we now call the cottage
cottage garden plants are very Many gardeners follow their
garden. This inclination towards cottage gardens
forgiving. They grow happily in forebears tradition of passing
continued well into the 20th century.
baskets, containers, even gravel. cuttings over the garden gate;
By 1982, however, cottage gardening was
There is no specific cottage- the Cottage Garden Society
increasingly outmoded. With the rise of garden
garden style. Were all different, holds sales of unusual varieties
centres and mass-
Below A melee of bright by virtue of geography if nothing grown by its members and, once
produced bedding
perennials jostle in else, says Patricia. You can a year, organises a giant seed
plants, some gardeners
densely-planted borders; enjoy elements of cottage swap. Pick a few favourites, allow
feared the old plants brick paths add to the
gardening in any garden. them to spill across paths, grow
were endangered. informal style.
Classic materials include up walls and scramble through
wood, brick, local stone, rusting each other to create something
metal and those found objects unique. Most cottage garden
that seem to turn up just at the plants are tough, says Patricia.
right moment. Hedges from They have no rules and are
native species such as hawthorn, forgiving of the British climate.
IMAGES GAP PHOTOS/JONATHAN BUCKLEY; SHUTTERSTOCK

COTTAGE GARDENS
These concerns led to Below Beehives, whether

theyre working or purely
Great cottage gardens to visit the formation of The
Cottage Garden Society,
decorative, immediately
conjure up the cottage
the purpose of which was garden look.
to help preserve them.
BARNSDALE GARDENS Much- Today, 35 years on, and 3,000 members and 34
missed TV gardener Geoff Hamilton regional groups later, the wheel of gardening fortune
IMAGES NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES/ROBERT MORRIS; GAP PHOTOS; GARY SMITH; ALAMY; THE GARDEN COLLECTION
created two demonstration plots has turned once more. Small in scale, natural and
for his 1995 BBC TV series Geoff organic, cottage gardening is fashionable again.
Hamiltons Cottage Gardens. Both Plants like the dark-leaved cow parsley Anthriscus
the Gentlemans and Artisans sylvestris Ravenswing, preserved by Cottage
gardens remain at Barnsdale, Garden Society members, are easily available in
in Rutland. Geoffs son Nick is garden centres.
president of the Cottage Garden Peoples interest in gardening has changed, says
Society. barnsdalegardens.co.uk Patricia. It used to be something people did when
they retired. Were now getting younger families
HARDYS COTTAGE who are interested in grow-your-own and bee-
When Thomas Hardy was born in keeping. Were still doing what the original cottage
1840, his little thatched cottage in gardeners did, though, she continues, growing
Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, was plants they knew would be useful.
probably not as bucolic as it is now, Those plants have proved useful in unexpected
but it is hard to imagine a more ways. Science has found cancer-cures from yew,
traditional cottage garden with its heart treatments from foxgloves and is open to new
perennial-packed flower borders. discoveries. There is still much to be gleaned from
nationaltrust.org.uk/hardys-cottage the cottage garden, and not just as a welcome retreat
from the punishing pace of the 21st century.
EAST LAMBROOK MANOR GARDEN
Celebrated plantswoman Margery See thecottagegardensociety.org.uk
Fish took elements of traditional
cottage gardening and added her
own touches, creating a relaxed
style with a hint of something more
contemporary. Paths wind through
abundant borders in this Somerset
garden that has been restored since
the early 2000s. eastlambrook.com
BLUEBELL COTTAGE GARDENS

Wide borders of stalwart cottage
garden plants such as heleniums,
salvias and Sidalcea, a wildflower
meadow and a bluebell wood
feature in this Cheshire garden,
where youll also find a nursery
specialising in flowering perennial
plants, with more than 700 varieties
in stock. bluebellcottage.co.uk
ANNE HATHAWAYS COTTAGE

In Stratford, this chocolate-box
thatched cottage, once home
to Anne Hathaway, is fronted by
large beds of perennials, which are
currently being redeveloped and
planted. A productive vegetable
patch and wildflower orchard
complete the idyllic setting.
bluebellcottage.co.uk

GN & MAN
SI
UF
ITISH D
ACTURE
BR
-
-
ES
T. 1 9 8 3
The Cottage Above

Set in an interesting garden open to the
public, under the Scottish garden.
Under 500 per week
Spring
Mr Richard Cliff Winter
Stockarton, Kirkcudbright,
Dumfries & Galloway, DG6 4XS
Tel: 01557 330430
Summer
Autumn
the walking frame specialist
Taking care of
your needs all
year round
CALL
FOR A FREE
BROCHURE
QUOTE:
UNI/AD/TEG17
01268 419 288

www.uniscan-walkers.co.uk @Uniscan1
Organic
The
HIGH-PERFORMANCE CLOTHING
SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR GARDENING
GardeningCata ogue
Only good things for your garden
Request your
FREE CATALOGUE
10%
today!
OFF
YOUR FIRST
PURCHASE
___
Our best-selling gardening
Use code: TEG10 trousers feature:
TERMS APPLY
Breathable and
waterproof kneepads
Showerproof lightweight
durable fabric
Organic Vegetable, Herb and Flower Seeds,
Raised waistband
Natural Pest Deterrents, Crop Protection,
for back protection
Organic Feeds, Plant Tonics and more
Discover more at Stab-proof pockets
01932 878570 www.organiccatalogue.com www.genus.gs for sharp tools
The English Garden June 2017 QP_sunflower.indd 1 05/05/2017 10:06:11
SPUROVATOR
A range of
beautiful hand
crafted steel
plant supports
The Spurovator Revolutionary Garden Hoe & Ground Treatment Device.
and obelisks
designed The Spurovator has four spiked wheels that rotate
to provide in such a way in contact with the ground, the soil is
architectural crumbled and aerated, lifting weeds and stones
quickly without jamming, leaving the soil with admired
structure within looks and perfect growing structure.
the garden
whilst also The Spurovator can also be used for moss
separation on lawns before mowing, creating a
complimenting healthier lawn. The Spurovator is ideal for weed
and enhancing removal on gravel paths and bark covered areas.
This patented stainless steel design ensures trouble
the plants
free use.
features.
Available in 3 sizes, from 56.99
Full range in stock and available now
Manufactured
in Great Britian
For more information go to www.spurovator.co.uk

THE PIG | EDIBLE FLOWERS
Incredible Edibles
Ollie Hutson and Fran Chilet-Olmos, kitchen gardeners at The Pig near Bath,
start to harvest this summers first crops of colourful edible flowers
L
ong gone are the days when edible flowers seeds. The flowers may be prized by chefs, but they
on a plateful of food were eyed with also add swathes of colour to the vegetable garden
suspicion. Now, they are almost as familiar to keep it looking decorative for hotel guests; and
to diners as peas or potatoes, thanks to they help attract pollinating insects, such as bees and
chefs exploring their full potential for adding flavour hoverflies, that many crops rely on to set a plentiful
and colour as well as the prettiest garnish. harvest of fruit. On these pages Ollie suggests a few
They are certainly on the repertoire of the chefs at good ways to add these pretty, productive plants to
IMAGE JASON INGRAM
The Pig, where edible flowers are an important crop your own garden; if they are sown now, there will be Above Ollie picks the
bright orange, peppery
in the kitchen garden. Theyre sown by gardeners flowers to harvest in late summer.
tasting flowerheads from
Ollie Hutson and Fran Chilet-Olmos in large batches The Pig near Bath, Hunstrete, Somerset BS39 4NS. Calendula officinalis, the
to supply petals, flowers and, later on in the season, Tel: 0345 2259494; the pighotel.com pot marigold.

Floral feast
Immediately grabbing attention in The Pigs kitchen
garden is a large block of satsuma orange Calendula
officinalis, the English or pot marigold. Its vibrant
petals have a spicy, peppery taste and are picked in vast
quantities by Ollie and Fran. All of the edible flowers
are sown in modules in the polytunnel earlier in the
year, although it is not too late to sow a quick batch of a
hardy annual like Calendula directly in the soil now, for
flowers later in summer. Once theyve germinated, we
transplant the seedlings into 9cm-pots and keep them
growing in the tunnel. Then we normally transplant
them into the garden during the last week of April,
explains Ollie.
Borage is another hardy annual grown in the same
way here; it forms lovely swathes of fuzzy-leaved plants,
topped by starry flowers in sky blue, although Ollie also
grows the white version (Borago officinalis Alba) to
give the chefs extra choice. Germination tends to be
better with the blue variety, but the white flowers are
more interesting, he says. The blooms have a mild taste
of cucumber but, if left on the plant rather than picked,
established borage will self-seed to produce new plants.
In milder parts of the country, it will flower almost
continuously through the winter. The leaves are also
edible, best picked young and used in salads.
Shungiku chrysanthemums may be better known
as chopsuey greens, which is what they are normally
called in seed catalogues. They are more usually grown
as a leafy crop, its feathery bright green foliage, which is
cooked and used in similar ways to spinach, having an
aromatic flavour. Ollie grows it for its flowers. They
have lemon-yellow and orange petals which have a really 1 2 3
interesting taste, he says, but everyone who tries it 1. Harvest sunflowers edible petals 2. Leave some flowerheads intact so
has a different opinion on what they taste like. Weve seeds can develop 3. Gently remove the seeds and dry them before eating.
Shrubs with edible flowers
LAVENDER ROSES ELDERFLOWER

Lavender flowers have a strong floral The most fragrant roses tend to have the Elderflowers make delicious cordial.
flavour and are best used to add flavour most flavourful petals. Try crystallising The dark-leaved garden varieties such as
to other foods, such as sugar or honey, the petals or using them to flavour drinks, Black Lace and Eva have pink flowers
which can then be used in baking. sugar or icing. that turn the finished cordial pink.

Edible flowers to sow now
Plant a row of these pretty and productive plants
CALENDULA NASTURTIUM
Sow this hardy annual in spring Push the seeds into weed-
had verdicts ranging from pineapple to gin it must
and early summer and pick its free patches of soil, or into
depend on your palette.
vibrant petals for salads and the surface of compost in
Ox-eye daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare)
garnishes. It can also be sown in containers for tumbling leaves
are grown for their flowers, as are cornflowers
autumn to over-winter. and bright flowers.
(Centaurea cyanus), sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
and nasturtiums. Many brassicas are encouraged
to flower for their small, cruciform edible blooms
that pack a peppery punch (salad rocket is Ollies
favourite). A few flowers are foraged from other
parts of the garden rather than deliberately grown:
primroses in spring, for example, and sweet violet
(Viola odorata). Day lilies (Hemerocallis) are grown
for their range of colours and flowering times.
A lot of them have other uses, Ollie says. In the
case of nasturtiums, their leaves are edible and our
chefs make a very nice nasturtium-leaf pesto. They
also pick the seed pods and pickle them like capers BORAGE SALAD ROCKET
they taste of really strong black pepper, he says. Freeze the flowers into ice The flowers offer as much
Sunflowers are grown for both their petals and cubes for summer drinks, or use flavour as the leaves, imparting
their seeds. It depends on what the chefs want. them to add colour to salads. a peppery taste to salads. Sow
Earlier in summer they want petals, by July and Crystallise with egg white and throughout summer to have
August they usually want us to save the flowers for sugar for the prettiest cupcakes. your fill of both.
seeds. When the flowerheads start to yellow at the
back and the seeds have formed, cut them off. The
seeds are quite juicy at that stage, almost milky,
like sweetcorn kernels, says Ollie. They need
drying, which our chefs do on a tray covered with
paper towel which they place under the heated lights
of the kitchen pass. At home, try putting the seeds
on a tray in a low oven of 120C for four to five
hours, checking regularly.
Keep picking edible flowers to encourage plants
to produce more flowers, and if you cant keep up
with the supply, deadhead them instead to prevent
IMAGES JASON INGRAM; SHUTTERSTOCK
VIOLA DILL
them from setting seed. Do this throughout summer,
and spring sowings will easily supply all the edible Violas can be sown in spring or Try picking the aniseed-
blooms and petals you need. Sometimes we sow a late summer. Try Viola tricolor for flavoured flowers as well as
few later batches of borage and salad rocket, Ollie pretty mauve-and-yellow flowers the leaves of dill good mixed
says. We also encourage a lot to self-seed within that are easy to crystallise for through mayonnaise or a white
their beds, so they regenerate naturally to create gorgeous cake decorations. sauce, or added to pickles.
beds of mixed edible flowers.

Elsewhere in the kitchen garden

For continued success, pay attention to these summer crops
HARVEST GARLIC PICK SALADS crops, too. Ollie uses metal fencing pins to
It is important to lift garlic before it Salad leaves, including strongly flavoured support the expanses of netting.
becomes too badly affected by rust, leaves such as rocket and Ollies favourite
advises Ollie, of this crops inevitable mustard Ozaka Purple, are harvested SUPPORT TOMATOES
deterioration caused by the fungal leaf constantly. Keep sowing new batches of To fit as many tomatoes as possible
disease. We normally cut half to two salad leaves regularly. into The Pigs polytunnels, Ollie and
thirds off the leaves first, before theyre Fran grow cordon varieties up strings
affected, and the chefs in the kitchen PROTECT BRASSICAS suspended from wires running along the
use them in stocks, then we harvest the Cabbage white butterflies will be tunnels length. Every week, the tomatoes
bulbs. The harvested garlic is also woven searching for brassicas on which to lengthening stems are gently twisted
into long, attractive plaits; once plaited lay their eggs at this time of year. The around the strings, and their side shoots
and hung up to dry, the bulbs will last until resulting caterpillars make short work of are removed. These are the shoots that
late autumn. We plant a lot of our garlic all plants in this family, including sprouts, spring out at 45 from the right angles
in September and then varieties you can broccoli, kale and cabbages, reducing formed by main stem and leaves. Left to
also plant in early spring go in the ground them to skeletons in days. Protect plants develop, they will divert the plants energy
between January and March as a catch- with tautly stretched fine netting or mesh. into vegetative growth rather than all-
up crop, Ollie says. This will keep pigeons off the developing important fruit production.
Stored garlic will last until autumn. Pick salads when leaves are young and tender.
IMAGES JASON INGRAM
Mustards have a sharp, peppery taste. Netting keeps pests off brassicas. Tomato stems twist up supports.

Rural Workwear & Accessories.
Handmade in Norfolk, England.
carriercompany.co.uk
+44 (0)1328 820699
Church Farm House, Wighton, Norfolk, NR23 1AL, UK
For The
Serious
Gardener British
manufactured
Proven to withstand wind speeds of 140mph

All year round growing
We are not a poly tunnel or glasshouse company, but designers and

manufactures of the proven, next generation growing environments.
10 Year Guarantee Against UV Degradation

Safe superior growing environment, no shadows
Unique bubble cladding giving excellent heat retention
Ventilation systems perfect for healthy plant growth
Resistant against extreme weather conditions
The strongest and warmest greenhouses for the serious gardener
Excellent light transmission
Low Maintenance
Can be extended
Available in a wide range of sizes
Keder Greenhouses Limited
Newtown, Offenham, Evesham, Worcestershire WR11 8RZ
t: +44 (0) 1386 49094 sales@kedergreenhouse.co.uk
www.kedergreenhouse.co.uk @KederGreenhouse
Design & Construction of Natural Swimming Ponds
Swim in Life No chemicals

Attractive to wildlife
Sustaining Water and Clear water
Show Swimming Pond
Connect with Nature As featured on BBC
01379 688000 See our website for next open day
www.theswimmingpondcompany.co.uk
Carpe Diem Common Rd, Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk IP22 2BD
Woodpecker Joinery (UK) ltd

Putting the Cedar
back into Greenhouses 100% British made
Manufacturers of High Quality

British Hand Made Cedar Greenhouses,
Garden Buildings and Coldframes.
For more information Call: 01889 562 610

www.woodpecker-joinery.co.uk
CRAFTSPEOPLE
Slate sculptor Joe

Smith at work in
his HQ: a shed in
his Dumfries and
Galloway garden.
A Heart
for Stone
Joe Smiths childhood fascination with
Yorkshires stone walls led to a career
first as a dry-stone waller, then as a
sought-after slate sculptor
WORDS GREG LOADES IMAGES RAY COX

CRAFTSPEOPLE
S
late sculptor Joe Smith has been
fascinated by stone since childhood.
Growing up near Hebden Bridge in
West Yorkshire, he immersed himself in
observing the undulating lines of the dry
stone walls and sheep folds that snaked their way
along the rolling rural landscape.
His fascination began to develop into a practical
skill at the age of 10 when a local shepherd, Harry
Greenwood, noted Joes enthusiasm and showed him
how to make a dry stone wall. Harry taught me the
basics of how to build a wall with crossed joints, and
they are the basis of what I do now, explains Joe.
More than 50 years later, Joe is a highly sought-
after slate sculptor, crafting his stylised pieces for
Right A slate vase in
public and private gardens. And Joe, like Harry,
the front garden at Joe
has passed on his craft to a younger generation. Smiths Dumfries and
His daughter Jenny an arts graduate has spent Galloway home.
the past four years learning and perfecting the Below The blue-grey
hues of natural slate sit
skills needed for slate sculpting and now works in
easily in most planting
partnership with Joe. It is easy to see the appeal of schemes and add a focal
Joes work. He manages to meld, crisp, clean lines point to borders.
with the most rough and irregular of materials

and each piece displays a simplicity that belies the
intricacy of his craft.
He started working with slate at the age of 12,
sourcing it from derelict farm buildings near his
home, to build a slate-roofed hen house for his
familys Rhode Island Red chickens. It was big
enough to stand up in. You could say it was the
beginning of my stone work career, he says.
And this career wasnt long in coming to fruition.
Sent to board at Barony Agricultural College in west
Scotland when he was 15, Joe had to spend more
time milking cows than building, but he resourcefully
found a way of flexing his stone-working muscles,
finding what could be called a gap in the market.
I would find stone walls on farmland that had
gaps that needed filling in and I would repair them
without being asked. This made Joe popular
with the local farmers; they were grateful for his
voluntary efforts, which, on leaving college in 1969,
he turned into a commercial venture, having decided
to settle in Scotland.
I put an advert in the Dumfries & Galloway
Standard and started knocking on doors offering my
services as a dry-stone waller, he says. The advert
proved successful in providing Joe with regular
stonework on local farms. Two decades later stone

walling was reaching Above Every stage of the
a new audience, with process is carried out by
hand; Joes only tools
artistic applications of
are a hammer and anvil.
the skill cropping up in Below One of Joes early
horticulture as well commissions was a set
as agriculture. of similar vases for HRH
Prince Charless gardens
And it was into the
at Highgrove.
world of horticulture
that Joe was heading
too, but with a different material. Using a hammer
and small iron frame that serves as an anvil, he
started experimenting with creating sculptures out
of slate. His first completed piece was made for his
wife, Elizabeth, to mark their wedding anniversary
in 1997. A vase made up of layers of slate, measuring
a metre-and-a-half in height and chipped into
perfect contours, Joe made the piece in situ in their
back garden at Beech Cottage in Dumfries and
Galloway, where they have lived since 1982.
Joe photographed the finished piece and sent the
pictures to a magazine. They printed the images and
it resulted in five commissions. Just three years later,
Joe was commissioned to make a group of Welsh
slate vases for the famous gardens at Highgrove.
He forms his pieces by eye, each one taking about
a week to make. He uses a timber frame to give him
a guide to the sculptures basic shape, but the final
shape relies on Joes good judgement. It is a fairly
primitive way of making the sculpture. I use a ball-
pein hammer to chip away at the slate, placing it on
a piece of iron that acts as an anvil.
When making a new design, Joe chalks out the
shape he wants on the floor of his workshop a
12m-long shed in his garden which he refers to as
HQ then he builds the wooden template to the
dimensions of the piece, which acts as his guide for
positioning the slates.
The act of making the sculptures is likened by
Joe to putting back together a cake that has been
cut into slices. Each slate is chipped into a triangular
shape and Joe builds up the layers, each piece

CRAFTSPEOPLE
Above Some 30 pieces pushed as far into the centre as possible. Gaps in the the number of pieces that can be made using his
are placed around Joe middle are filled with small pieces of slate. I call the technique. I see modernist sculptures in gardens
and Elizabeths garden.
vases faux vases because they are actually a solid and more abstract geometric designs but I dont
Below Pears are one of
Joes favourite shapes structure, he says. want to go down that road. I think of my style of
to work, as their shape Most of the pieces are self supporting, although sculpture as curvaceous and classical; the shapes
neednt be too precise. some, such as the topiary balls comprising three are organic shapes.
spheres, one of top of the other, have steel supports Joe is reluctant to name one piece as his most-loved
through the centre to keep them stable. The balls but he identifies the act of making his pear sculptures
stand over 3m tall and are lowered on top of each as a precious moment of escapism. My pieces have
other using a forklift a rare example of machinery a classic form but the pear is an exception because
being involved in one of Joes creations. the shape of each fruit is idiosyncratic, so I dont have
Joe sources his slate from across the country but to follow a definite shape. I enjoy that, he says.
the majority is sourced just 120 miles from his home, The sculptures should, in Joes words last forever,
at the Honister slate mine, the only slate mine in with the only downside of the passing of time being
England. Each piece of slate is hand selected by Joe. the potential build up of moss, which can spoil the
When youve been working with stone for so long sharpness of the sculptures contours if its allowed
you know just by looking at a piece of slate whether to build up. Removing it is all the maintenance that
it will be good to work with. should be needed. The beauty of the topiary pieces
With the exception of the pieces supported by steel is that they dont need regular trimming and you
rods, Joes sculptures are based on the principle of a dont have to worry about box blight, jokes Joe.
cantilever system, the sculpture extending outwards In all, there are 30 of Joes pieces dotted through
from the base before narrowing and becoming wider Joe and Elizabeths garden at Beech Cottage. More
at the top. Unassuming for someone with such an intriguingly, Joe has hidden some of his pieces in
enviable body of both work and admirers, Joe plays unknown locations in the Galloway Hills in the
down the skill involved in his work. There is an Southern Uplands, to be found by unsuspecting
element of physics but also an element of common walkers. Transfixed by stonework on the rural
sense, he says. landscape as a boy, this self-effacing sculptor has left
There are more than 20 different pieces in his own handcrafted legacy in the rugged hillside.
Joes repertoire but he is not in a hurry to expand Things have come full circle.

Redfields
Redfields make
make the
Redfields make
Redfields the highest
the highest quality
highest quality lead planters,
lead planters,
quality lead
cisterns,
planters, cisterns, fountains.
cisterns, fountains.
fountains.
See
See online now
now and
and contact
contact us for your bespoke planter or water feature
feature
Seeonline
See online now
online and contact us
us for
for your bespoke planter
your bespoke planter or
or water
water feature
Redfields.co.uk
Redfields.co.uk
Redfields.co.uk 02392
02392 870000
870000 sales@redfields.co.uk
sales@redfields.co.uk
sales@redfields.co.uk
Hand
Hand cast
Hand cast lead
cast lead signs
lead signs are
are unique to
unique to every customer.
every customer.
to every customer. S C U L P T U R E
Theyre
Theyreeasily
Theyre
Theyre easily attached
easily
easily attached to
attached to aaa wall,
to wall, gate and can
gate and can bend to
to aaa curved
bend to
can bend curved wall
curved wallor
wall ortree.
or tree.
tree.
Online
Online
Online shop
shop open
open
leadsigns.co.uk - brochure
brochure
Online shop open leadsigns.co.uk brochure 02392 870000 02392
02392 870000
870000 t e l 0 7 7 4 3 4 8 9 8 11 w w w. s i m o n h e m p s e ll .c o.uk
ish th
The only bespoke swing &

w
fin wi
d le
Ne
te lab
bench maker licensed

in vai
See us at
pa ow a
RHS Chelsea
by The RHS
N
Flower Show
Traditional Georgian style steel 2017
Stand
planters, window boxes and butts RHW295
Visit us online at sittingspiritually.co.uk

or call us on 01297 443084
Hand-crafted in England
01299 827059 www.arthurjack.co.uk
LIFE SIZE ANIMAL SCULPTURE Oak frame
LIFE SIZE ANIMAL SCULPTURE
Free UK Delivery
buildings
ideal for
self-assembly
Free UK Delivery or by our
expert team
Please visit our
website
Oak-designs.co.uk
to see further
examples of our
product range.
You can also now
design your own
garage using our
Quote my Design
tool online.
SUMMER
OFFER
THE BARCOMBE
3,000+ VAT*
*T&Cs available
upon request.
Offer ends 30/09
2XWGRRU/LYLQJ_*DUDJHV_'XDOSXUSRVHEXLOGLQJ_*DUDJHUVWRRU
andrew kay sculpture.com 01273 400411
andrew kay sculpture.com

sales@oak-designs.co.uk
07740 306412 oak-designs.co.uk
Holmes Chapel Road, Over Peover,

Knutsford, Cheshire. WA16 9RA
Telephone: 0800 046 7443
sales@chrysanthemumsdirect.co.uk
2017 Catalogue available online or,

contact us to receive your FREE paper copy.
The widest range available to U.K. growers with

over 420 varieties, for the garden and exhibition.
All grown from clean stock on our nursery in

Cheshire.
www.chrysanthemumsdirect.co.uk
BOOKS
The Reviewer
A selection of the best garden writing to appear this month
Gardening with Conifers Botanical Shakespeare Beth Chattos Shade Garden

by Adrian Bloom, by Gerit Quealy, by Beth Chatto,
Firefly Books, 19.95 Harper Design, 17.99 The Pimpernel Press, 30
To change the public perception of a Anyone with a passing interest in Originally published in 2002 as Beth
much-maligned plant is a tough ask Shakespeare will be aware of at least Chattos Woodland Garden, this is an
but Adrian Bloom knows he has a good one botanical reference in his body of updated version of a modern classic. Full
case when it comes to extolling the work. But was Shakespeare a Master of timeless wisdom that will stand any
virtues of conifers. Gardener? In researching Botanical gardener in good stead, it is perhaps the
Few British gardeners have as long Shakespeare, author Gerit Quealy found ultimate guide to gardening in shade.
an association with conifer growing around 175 references to specific plants, The main body of the book is a tour
as Bloom. Having used them as key and many more notes on gardening of the woodland garden through the
plants in the creation of his Norfolk practice, so it is little wonder, she writes, year, and Chatto makes for a fine guide
garden, Foggy Bottom, in 1966, he has that some gardeners would like to claim for the journey, with her delightful prose
vast experience to support the advice his as one of their own. and acute observations of the plants
he offers. An update of a work first But let that argument remain in the that thrive in the shade. Describing her
published in 2001, Adrian brings his ivory tower. This is not a book for the woodland garden as tranquil and yet
knowledge and experiences up to date serious literary scholar. Rather, Quealy full of life and interest this description
with critiques of conifers that will be encourages readers to use the book to also perfectly sums up the book.
new to many. help map out plans for a garden plot The recurring theme of the images
A hands-on knowledge of the or pot based on your favourite play or of her garden that accompany the
subject is evident on every page and the characters, or assemble a bouquet based story is one of abundance, and serve as
photographs of conifers in his garden on subliminal messages. further inspiration to every gardener in
are testimony to their innovative use. Moreover, it is surprising just how possession of a bare and empty space
Many gardeners write off conifers as diverse those plants in the 17th century beneath a tree canopy. This is a chance
cumbersome, unruly hedging plants were. Sugar, dates and pomegranates to discover new plants for shade and
WORDS VIVIENNE HAMBLY; GREG LOADES
but Blooms practical advice, paired hint at the exotic influences of the time, to see others in a completely new light,
with enviable results, provides strong while ivy, oats and nettles were more thanks to Chattos careful observations.
evidence to the contrary. quotidian. Naturally, the entry for roses Once the tour of the year is complete,
The pages on pruning are a real runs to several pages. an A-Z of Chattos recommended plants
masterclass in managing conifers; Laid out in a classic compendium for shade, complete with notes on their
blending them with other plants and style, excerpts are arranged by plant quirks, will in the authors words
shaping them into eye-catching features and complemented with charming dispel the myth that gardening in the
in their own right. illustrations by Sumie Hasegawa. shade is a curse rather than a blessing.

ALITAG PLANT LABELS Andrew Crace
www.andrewcrace.com
www.alitags.com
Annual labelling is a thing of the

past with Alitags. Simply write
on Alitags aluminium labels
with Alitags or HB pencil. The
pencil will react with our
specially made aluminium tags
and become permanent.
Alitags labels can also be

punched with Alitags character Chinoiserie Wheelbarrow Seat painted White
punches & jig.
Copper, Teak, Bamboo labels

are also available.
Alitags, 32 Bourne Lane,

Much Hadham,
Hertfordshire SG10 6ER, UK.
Tel 01279 842685
Peacock 3 Seater
Gifts & Gardens www.giftsandgardens.com

Bamboo Cloches
Heavyback Chinoiserie 3 Seater painted Green

Boulder Stone Pots Hanging Wooden Signs : 60 Texts
Made of bamboo woven into an open

dome and available in 5 sizes plus a
tunnel cloche. These attractive cloches
protect plants & seeding from damage
by animals, footballs, light frost and
wind-chill. Fleece & newspaper can be
used to cover the plants inside the
cloches during periods of heavy frost.
The micro climate inside the cloches
promotes growth and allows rain
through to the plants.
Large Lutyens Seat

GARDEN FRIENDS
Made of aluminium sheet that will not rust, and hand
painted with a very resilient finish on both sides.
Bespoke Refectory Table & Indian Lattice Chairs
GENUINE BRITISH PRODUCTS

MADE IN BRITAIN
Wooden Keyrings : 90 Locations Made from Oak or Iroko

32 Bourne Lane, Much Hadham
32 Bourne Lane, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire SG10 6ER, UK. Tel 01279 842685 Herts SG10 6ER, UK. Tel 01279 842685
BOOKS
The Jam Makers Garden Botanical Sketchbooks Topiary, Knots and Parterres
by Holly Farrell, by Helen and William Bynum, by Caroline Foley,
Frances Lincoln, 17.99 Thames & Hudson, 29.95 The Pimpernel Press, 50
It is reasonable to suppose that much For certain characters, the union of In the genre of the classic English
of the material in this book would adventure, botanical discovery and the garden, topiary is an invaluable element.
have been common knowledge 100 or compulsion to draw must be one of the From providing a focal point and
even 50 years ago. Yet for those new headiest imaginable. structure, to introducing an element
to gardening and indeed to trend-led It certainly was for the likes of of wit, its functions are manifold. And
jams, jellies, pickles, chutneys, butters, Thomas Baines, born in Kings Lynn, having been in use since at least the time
cordials and syrups The Jam Makers whose position as the official artist of of Pliny the Younger in the 1st century
Garden makes a fine starting point. the Cape Frontier Wars in South Africa AD, it is worthwhile, then, to know
At the front of the book, growing in the 1850s afforded opportunity to something of the history of topiary,
notes are concise and cover basics, sketch local flora almost unknown to which is what author Caroline Foley
but are not so exhaustive as to be European botanists. Exploration in traces in Topiary, Knots and Parterres.
off-putting. Farrell touches on kitchen Australia followed, before he returned In the first book to cover the entire
garden design, root-stocks for fruit to southern Africa on an expedition to history of the subject, spanning its
trees, and the basic principles of sowing the Victoria Falls. use by the Romans to designs by Tom
and planting. Later, kitchen notes His is but one story in this publication Stuart-Smith (whose work regularly
consider types of sugar and such things that draws together the sketches, rather appears in The English Garden) Foleys
as scum, temperature and bottling, and, than the finished works, of botanical intention is to knock topiary off its
crucially, some trouble-shooting. artists in various fields. To get the perch as the grandee of gardening
From there follow recipes and measure of this substantial topic, the techniques. It is a medium that
growing notes arranged by season and authors have categorised it into themes. deserves to be in every gardeners box
plant. At first, strawberries, gooseberries Baines and fellow explorers fall into of tricks, and the techniques should be
and blackcurrants, but the work also Made on Location; Carl Linnaeus and at the disposal of every horticultural
notes more unusual preserving crops Beatrix Potter may be found in Doing student, she says. Foley herself is the
such as carrots, beetroot, beans, garlic Science; John Constable and Charles editor of Topiarus, the pan-European
and rhubarb. A chapter on herbs and Rennie Mackintosh appear in Making journal of the European Boxwood and
flowers is provocation to consider Art; and in A Pleasing Occupation find Topiary Society, and so is well-placed to
flavour more carefully. John Day and Annie Morse. Locations make such a survey.
The book is well illustrated with include Italy, America, Australia, Japan, The result of her labour is a
a combination of line drawings and China and India. magnificent hardback comprising
images of fruits, leaves and styled shots Illustrations cover the gamut of authoritative text matched with
of preserves. The layout is engaging. artefacts, from letters and herbarium excellent, well-researched illustrations.
The Jam Makers Garden sheets to notebook pages and works It offers inspiration to seek out the
something of a misnomer: of 53 recipes, on vellum. As such it is a transporting many fine examples of topiary in this
13 are strictly for jam is a reminder work, worthy as much for its factual country and across Europe, as well as
that bottling was borne of making do, contribution as its capacity to stir in encouragement to emulate something
and offers encouragement to return to the imagination visions of far off lands of those great and varied gardens in
those practical but satisfying origins. and adventure. smaller domestic settings.

BESPOKE PROMOTION
1 2 3
4 5
Get set for summer

Care for plants, kit yourself out and get ready to enjoy summer in the garden
1 BACKDOORSHOES 3 ORIGINAL KADAI FIREBOWL All-weather Rattan and shower-proof cushions,

Backdoorshoes are delighted to be celebrating Be inspired by the innovative Wilstone Kadai their sofas will withstand the weather to provide
their 10th anniversary this year. Their outdoor Firebowl designed by multi-award winning a comfortable place to relax year after year. Also
garden clogs are lightweight, waterproof, durable Kadai Firebowls. With the Gothic High & Low perfect for a sunny conservatory or garden room!
and feature many unique prints suitable for Men Stands you get the best out of your Kadai, use Enjoy 10% off with code SOFA10.
or Ladies; an example of our Bluebell design is the Gothic High Stand for barbecuing and then Tel: 01993 845559
shown in the picture. Mens Chunky Tread include transfer to the Gothic Low Stand to continue www.gardentrading.co.uk
Grass, British Brogues, Nuts & Bolts (Ideal for using your Kadai as a fire bowl well into the
Fathers Day) and more... night. Prices from 215.00 Part of an array of
Visit www.backdoorshoes.co.uk for our full range. unique and beautifully hand crafted, ethical
5 OXFORD PLANTERS LTD
and sustainable furniture, lighting, sandstone Oxford Planters Ltd are designers and
2 LEANDER PRODUCTS and garden products.. Visit us at Chelsea, manufacturers of hardwood planters,
tables, benches, obelisks & garden gates.
Leanders fabulous new Tree Guards in rusted Chatsworth and Hampton Court Flower Shows.
iron are perfect for protecting your specimen Enjoy 10% off with code EGJUN17. The hardwood products are all individually
trees from sheep and ponies. The guard is Tel: 01694 771800 handmade to order in the companys
1650mm high x 1030mm wide, and comes in two www.kadai.com Oxfordshire workshop and are available in Oak,
halves which can easily be bolted together. Also Iroko and Accoya.
available as a single half-guard for restraining 4 GARDEN TRADING Tel: 01608 683022 - 07765 188725
large back-of-border shrubs. Made in England. Garden Tradings stunning range of Garden www.oxfordplanters.co.uk
Tel: 01773 550495 Sofa Sets allow you to enjoy your garden in info@oxfordplanters.co.uk
www.leanderplantsupports.co.uk luxurious comfort this summer. Crafted using
BOOKS
Q&A
Natural Selection A Year in the Garden is a month-by-month collection of
landscape architect Dan Pearsons gardening columns from The Observer
I could only accommodate one or two in my garden

in Peckham. Gardening in Somerset was a case of
looking up and looking out, whereas in London
I was looking in and looking down. When you
garden in a bigger space you have the same amount
of energy but it goes into a wider range of things.
Gardening is as difficult in a small space as a large
space. In a small space you have to think about
keeping things calm and clear. In a bigger space the
challenge is to try and pace it. I am conscious of not
doing too much and of trying not to make too much
of a mark.
Your articles display an acute observation of the

seasons. Is this instinctive or is it something you
have learned?
The changing seasons are something that I have
always thought about. Ever since I was young I
wanted to be outside. There are differences in
gardens between months and weeks, days and even
hours, right down to the detail of minutes. It might
How did it feel to follow in the footsteps of Vita be that the light falls in a way that it never will again
Sackville-West and Christopher Lloyd in writing and I am keen to observe these nuances.
for The Observer?
It felt like a luxury and a privilege. I never dreamt What is the best thing a gardener with a small
that I would end up following in the footsteps of urban plot can do to remain aware of the
people who for me were writing mentors. I love how changing seasons?
they brought gardens to life by the way they wrote. Make sure that every season is celebrated in the
garden. Having interest all year round doesnt have
Did the transition from having a tiny garden in to involve having 52 plants so that one looks good
London to 20 acres in the country change the every week. Many plants work extremely hard and
way you wrote about gardening? have three or four seasons of interest, whether in
Inevitably it did. It was a very different space and you bark, flower or berry. Make sure you find room for
always have to bear in mind your audience because a plant for each season, and choose plants that work
the reader needs to feel like they can take something hard and do not just have one moment of glory.
away from each piece. Writing about plants in detail
helps me achieve this. I read once that Christopher Which topics have generated the strongest
Lloyd used to take a sample of a plant he was writing feelings among your readers?
about and bring it to his writing desk in a pot so he I think readers warmed to the idea of growing with
could observe it at close quarters as he wrote. I do nature and not against it. Also, I hope that my forays
this too wherever possible. into guerilla gardening encouraged people to be
confident in gardening against the odds. I think that
IMAGE JASON INGRAM
How have you changed as a gardener since today there is a wider consciousness of the need to Natural Selection: A
moving from a small garden to a large one? garden in urban areas, and that you can do it in your Year in the Garden
I now take a longer-term view of the garden. When own way. You can break the rules. There are 100,000 by Dan Pearson
I moved to Somerset I started planting trees in tens. different ways to grow a plant. Faber, 20

BESPOKE PROMOTION
GARDENS TO VISIT
Kickstart a season of wonderful garden visits with these
inspirational gardens at their peak in early summer
THE BISHOPS PALACE & GARDENS, WELLS

Off Market Place, Wells, Somerset BA5 2PD
Tel: 01749 988111 | www.bishopspalace.org.uk
Over 14 acres of spectacular RHS partner gardens, with wonderful summer flowers, including
picturesque, romantic, formal and Victorian styles, a wild flower arboretum, specimen trees, a
contemporary Garden of Reflection and Community Garden alongside waterfalls, well pools, a moat with
resident swans and a stunning medieval Palace. Dont forget the Garden Festival from 9-11 June.
OPEN: Daily 10am-6pm.
ABBOTSBURY SUBTROPICAL GARDENS

Bullers Way, Abbotsbury, Dorset DT3 4LA
Tel: +44 (0)1305 871 387 | www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk
A recent winner of the HHA/ Christies Garden of the Year Award and described by Alan Titchmarsh as
one of the finest gardens I have ever visited. Established in 1765 by the Ist Countess of Ilchester as a
kitchen garden for her nearby castle. It has developed since then into a magnificent 30 acre tropical
paradise with many exotic features including a Burma rope bridge.
OPEN: 7 days, 10am to 5pm summer, 10am to 4pm winter. Last admission one hour before close.
HEVER CASTLE & GARDENS

Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG
Tel: 01732 865224 | www.hevercastle.co.uk
Discover glorious award-winning gardens at the 13th century castle, best known as the childhood home
of Anne Boleyn. Experience Hever Castle at the height of its summer beauty, with one of the finest
displays of roses and summer blooms in the Garden of England. Hever in Bloom (26 June 2 July)
showcases the glorious gardens with free guided tours led by the gardening team and floral displays in
the Castle.
OPEN: Please see our website for details.
ROSE CELEBRATION AT BORDE HILL GARDEN

Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1XP
Tel: 01444 450326 | www.bordehill.co.uk
Visit the award-winning Garden between 19-25 June for a week of Rose celebrations to mark the 21st
anniversary of Jay Robins Rose Garden. RHS gold medallist Robin Williams designed Jay Robins Rose
Garden with 450 David Austin English roses, and there are now over 750 roses in this exquisite garden
room. The week of celebrations includes guided tours with Head Gardener Andy Stevens, and several
rose-themed artworks being displayed as part of the 2017 Sculpture Exhibition. Art societies have been
invited to record the Rose Garden on canvas, and Monday-Friday there will be guided tours of the
Elizabethan mansion (home to the Stephenson Clarke family, and rarely open to the public).
BUCKFAST ABBEY
Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0EE
Tel: 01364 645500 | www.buckfast.org.uk
Discover the award-winning gardens at Buckfast Abbey as it heads towards its millennium year in 2018.
The beautiful and tranquil environment is carefully tended to with organic gardening methods that work
with nature and keep the gardens lusciously green year-round. An interesting and unusual element of the
gardens are the three self-contained areas each alluding to the history of monastic horticulture. The
Lavender Garden, the Physic Garden and the Sensory Garden.
OPEN: The gardens are open year-round with frequent walk & talks available.
OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST OF BRITISH NURSERIES
GRAFTON NURSERY BEE GARDEN PLANTS
Small, evergreen screening trees Nestled in the surroundings of
(4m - 7m tall), tolerant of swampy Stydd Gardens, Bee Garden Plants
ground, cut foliage for floral art or offers a unique combination of
grow your own firewood logs. All carefully selected bee-friendly
the above is achievable with our plants and old fashioned roses
hardy-Eucalyptus trees. We which are available online and by
specialise in over 60 different mail order. We may be small in size,
species, each one with a unique set but we have an abundance of top-
of useful properties. quality plants many of them
Delivery available throughout the unusual grown by owner and
UK & EU. Call or email for help and gardening author Maureen Little.
advice. Informative website packed A wide variety of bee and garden
with information about each related gifts are also available from
species. For free Rootgrow 60g The Bee Garden Shop, which like
mycorrhizal fungi worth 2.50 with the caf and other shops on site is
your order, use Promotional Code: open from Tues-Sun. (Closed
EG05. Offer ends 30 July 2017. Mondays except Bank Holidays.)
Tel: 07515 261511 Tel: 07960 769940
office@grafton-nursery.co.uk beegardenplants@hotmail.com
www.hardy-eucalyptus.com www.beegardenplants.co.uk | www.stydd.com
Hardy-Eucalyptus, Grafton Nursery, Grafton Flyford, Worcester WR7 4PW Stoneygate Lane, Ribchester, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 3YN
SPRING REACH NURSERY DARCY & EVEREST

Spring Reach Nursery Visiting us at shows, open weekends
grows a fantastic or online you will see new unusual/
range of clematis, rare small perennials and alpine
trees, hedging, ferns, plants. We grow all our plants on
shrubs, fruit, site from cuttings, division and
perennials, roses, seeds so you can be assured of
climbers and grasses. quality on each purchase. For those
STARRING NOW who would like to know more about
Roses, Philadelphus our growing techniques or are just
Belle Etolie, Star interested in the working side of a
Jasmines and
family nursery, please book on one
Pennisetum Karley
of our nursery tours. Separate tour
Rose.
dates can be booked for gardening
Visit one of Surreys groups and clubs. We also supply
finest nurseries a complete packages of alpine rock
gardeners paradise! gardens in the form of our alpine
Just five minutes from bowls which can be seen at most of
RHS Garden Wisley.
the shows we attend.
Tel: 01483 284769 Tel: 01480 497672
info@springreachnursery.co.uk | www.springreachnursery.co.uk www.darcyeverest.co.uk | www.alpinebowls.com
Spring Reach Nursery, Long Reach, Ockham, Surrey GU23 6PG Pidley Sheep Lane, Pidley, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3FL
BLUEBELL ARBORETUM & NURSERY GLENDON NURSERY

Specialists in hardy trees, shrubs The National Garden Scheme
and climbers including a huge provided the impetus for
selection of unusual and rare propagating and over the years Ive
species and varieties. Expert taken plants to The Hardy Plant
advice is available from our Society and Plant Heritage fairs.
helpful staff. Over the past 40 years, shade-
The nursery is open to the public loving plants have become much
and surrounded by a lovely nine- more widely-grown I specialise in
acre woodland garden (RHS foliage, ferns, hostas, deinanthe and
Partner Garden). Visitors are other plants for shady spots.
welcome all year round. I am an obsessive collector always
Informative website and a reliable attempting to push the boundaries
mail order service is available if of hardiness in cold greenhouses in
you would like plants delivered. the Midlands. My most recent
passion is Chorizema illicifolia, with
startling orange and pink flowers
scrambling around for ten months!
Tel: 01536 711732
Tel: 01530 413700 rosiebose@gmail.com
sales@bluebellnursery.com | www.bluebellnursery.com
1 Glendon Hall, Kettering, Northants NN14 1QE
Annwell Lane, Smisby, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 2TA
Shop with us FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT US AT
WWW.THEENGLISHGARDEN.CO.UK
AUTO VENTS HOLIDAYS
Island Cottage
Holidays
MANUFACTURED
Isle of Wight & Dorset Cottages
IN THE UK
IN DERBYSHIRE
The Bayliss range of Autovents opens and closes greenhouse vents

automatically without the need for electricity by using the warmth of the sun
2 Year Guarantee Credit Cards Accepted Online Ordering Free UK Delivery
For a FREE brochure telephone or visit the contact us page
Delightful holiday cottages in
01335 342981 beautiful coastal &
01983 403377
TO ADVERTISE TEL: 020 7349 3700 EMAIL: info@chelseamagazines.com
www.baylissautovents.co.uk
Bayliss Precision Components Ltd, Airfield Ind Estate, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1HA rural locations www.islandcottageholidays .com
COURSES
ACCESSORIES GREENHOUSES
rses Gardening
Gardening
Courses
Courses
Home-study
Home-study
Horticultural The Horticultural
rrespondence Correspondence
College College
For leisure
Gardening
Over 30 courses
Foror leisure
For
Overin
or
Courses
a for
forleisure a career
career
or for a career
30 Gardening,
courses in Gardening,
Garden Garden
Design,
Design,
Over 30Home-study
courses in Gardening,
The Horticultural
The Horticultural
Correspondence
Arboriculture,Arboriculture, Forestry, Floristry

Forestry, Floristry
and more
and more
Correspondence
College College
For leisure
uals.
Many orGarden
courses Design,
for a career
prepare
Many Arboriculture,
courses
youprepare
for RHS
you foror
RHSRFS/ABC
or RFS/ABCquals.
quals.
Over 30 courses
rticultural
pondence
in Gardening,
Forestry, Garden and
Floristry Design,
more
Arboriculture, Forestry, Floristry and more
College
HURDLES, GARDEN PRODUCTS AND BASKETS
FOR CATALOGUE 020 8247 3700
220
Free
777
info
Many FREEPHONE
courses prepareFree
you forinfo
RHS FREEPHONE
0800quals.
or RFS/ABC
Many courses prepare you for 083
0800
9191
083 9191
or 01409
or 01409220
220 777
777
The Horticultural The Horticultural WWW.CHAIRWORKS.INFO INFO@CHAIRWORKS.INFO
Correspondence Correspondence
Or
o.ukemail: info@hccollege.co.uk
RHSOr email: info@hccollege.co.ukwww.hccollege.co.uk
www.hccollege.co.uk
The Horticultural The Horticultural The Horticultural
or
0800RFS/ABC quals.
Having Dog Problems?
College College
Having
PET SERVICES Dog Problems?
Correspondence Correspondence Correspondence
Free info FREEPHONE 083 9191 or 01409 220 777 College College College

The Horticultural
Correspondence
Or email: info@hccollege.co.uk www.hccollege.co.uk

The Horticultural
College
Correspondence
College
Free info FREEPHONE 0800 083 9191 or 01409 220 777 Having Dog Problems?
Do You Need To PACDOG Control System
Secateurs, hedgeshears
Or email:and the worlds finest www.hccollege.co.uk
The Horticultural The Horticultural The Horticultural
info@hccollege.co.uk DoYou
You Need To PACDOG Control ToSystem Experts PACDOG Control S
Correspondence Correspondence Correspondence
Do YouHave Need
The Horticultural
Experts the Solution

SystemFor
College College College
PACDOG Control
Correspondence
Do
Do You Need To PACDOG Control ToSystem
College
Need To Do You
Experts Need
Have the Solution For PACDOG Control
the S
pruning saws in superb, tempered Japanese steel
GARDENING TOOLS DoStop
YouDogs
Stop Need
Dogs ToFromFrom
Straying
Straying YourYour
Property YouHave
PACDOG
Do
Experts Youthe Solution
Control
Need
Have theTo SystemFor You
Solution For
Experts
PACDOG
Experts
Have
Control
Have the S
You
TheSecateurs,
English Garden 3x2.indd 1 hedgeshears and the worlds finest 02/06/2015 09:53
Stop
Help Dogs Straying From
with Training, Recall Your You
ishHCCGarden English
3x2.indd
Garden 3x2.indd
1 1 02/06/2015Worrying
Stop 09:53
Property
Dogs
Property of Straying
Farm StockFrom
etc. Your 02/06/2015
Experts
You
StopHave
Stop
Dogs
Electronic
Dogs
Electronic
DogDog
09:53
Straying
Dogthe
Fence
Straying
Solution
Training From
02/06/2015
From YourFor
Your
Systems
Experts
You 09:53
Have the
pruning saws
Secateurs, in superb,
hedgeshears andtempered Japanese
the worlds
KST230 finest steel Help with Training, Recall
Stop
Need Dogs
Help To
PropertyCure Straying From
NuisanceRecall Your
Barking.
Electronic
You Property
Stop
Electronic
Bark Dogs
Dog
Fence
StrayingSystems
Fence From Your You
with
Worrying Training,
of Farm Stock etc. HelpControllers
Property
Electronic Dog Training,
with Training Recall Electronic Dog Fence
pruning saws in superb, tempered Japanese steel Property
Help Property
Electronic Dog Fence
Needwith
Worrying Training,
of
To Cure Farm Recall
Stock
Nuisance
Keep Your etc.
Barking. Help
Bark Night
Dog Safe and Visible with
Controllers
Worrying Training
Training,
of
or Day Farm Systems
Recall
WithStock
Our etc. Vis
High Electronic
Dog Trainin
KST 230 Help
Needwith
Worrying Training,
of
To Cure Farm Recall
Stock
Nuisance etc.
Barking.
Dog Electronic
Help
Electronic
BarkLong
Collars, Leads and Dog
with
Dog
Controllers
Worrying
Line Fence
Training,
Training
of Farm
Training Recall
Systems
Stock
Leads etc. Electronic
Dog Trainin
Need To Cure Nuisance Barking. Bark Controllers
KST 230 Worrying of Farm
Need To Cure Nuisance
Contact etc. us now forElectronic
Stock Barking. Bark Dog
Worrying
Controllers
sales and Training
of Farm
expert Systems
Stock etc.
advice:
Need To Cure Nuisance Barking. Electronic Dog Trainin
Bark Controllers
Need To Cure Nuisance UK Barking.
Freephone: Bark Controllers
Need
0800 To Cure
028 Nuisance
4325 Barking. Bark Controllers
Keep Your Dog Safe and Visible Night or Day With Our High Vis
Keep Your Dog SafeIrl
DogDog
Collars, andLowVisibleCall
Night1890
or Day 361
With 361
Our High Vis
Keep Your Dog Safe and Visible Night or Day With O
Safe Leads and Long Line Training Leads
KST 217
Keep Your
DogDog
Collars, and Visible
Leads Night
and Long or Day
Keep
Line With
Your Dog
Training Our High
Safe
Leads andVis
Visible Night or Day WithLO
KST 217
Keep Your Safe and Visible Night or
Keep Dog
Day Collars,
With
Your Dog Our Leads
High
Safe andVisand Long
Visible Night Line
Shop at www.pacdog.co.uk
Training
or Day WithLO
KST 217
Dog Collars, Leads and Long Line Training Leads
Dog Collars, Leads and Long Line Training
KST 103
Silky
SilkyFox
Fox Saws
Saws Contact us now
Dog Collars, for
Leads sales
and Longand
Line expert
Training advice:
Leads Leads and Long Line Training L
Dog Collars,
KST 103 Silky Fox Saws Contact us now for sales and expert
Contactadvice:
us now for sales and expert a
KST103
Foxley Estate Office,
Foxley UKusFreephone:
Contact 0800
now for sales 028
and 4325advice:
expert
Contact us now for sales and expert a
EstateEstate
Office,Office, UK
Contact usFreephone:
now 0800 028 4325 UKusFreephone: 0800 028 4325a
Lowfor
Callsales and expert advice:
Foxley Contact now for sales and expert
Hayauchi Hayauchi
Mansel
Mansel Lacy,Lacy,
Mansel Lacy, UK Irl
Freephone: 1890
0800 361
028361
4325 UK Freephone: 0800 028 4325
UK Irl Low Call 1890
0800361
028361
Hayauchi
Freephone: 4325UK Irl Low Call 1890 361 361
490
490 490
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford HR4 7HQ
HR4
HR4 7HQ 7HQ Irl Low Call 1890 361 361 Freephone: 0800 028 4325
Irl Low Call 1890 361 361
Tel: 01981
Tel: 01981 590224
590224 Irl Low CallShop at361
1890 361 www.pacdog.co.uk
Irl Low Call 1890 361 361
Pocketboy
Pocketboy 170 170 Tel: 01981
Fax: 01981
Fax: 01981
590224
590355
590355
POND PRODUCTS
Pocketboy 170
Fax: 01981 590355
enquiries@silkyfox.co.uk
Visit
Visitsilkyfox.co.uk
silkyfox.co.ukto to
find your
find local
your stockist
local stockist Aquaplancton
Visit silkyfox.co.ukDORSET
to find your local stockist & DAYS OUT
ATTRACTIONS Voted Home and Garden Product of the Year
Aquaplancton
Pondbefore
Pond before Pond
Pondafter
after
The Blue Pool
Purbecks unique and tranquil beauty
spot and one of Dorsets best-loved
attractions since 1935.
The Blue Pool and The Tea House
are surrounded by 20 acres of heath,
woodland and gorse crossed by a
network of sandy paths, where visitors
can wander at will through leafy glades Votedhas
Aquaplancton Home
been and Garden
clearing ponds ofProduct of the
blanket weed, Year algae,
duckweed,
and secret nooks to experience the
Aquaplancton
green has been
water, sludge, clearing
slime, odourponds of blanketlters,
and clogged weed,for
duckweed,
over 20 algae,
years.green
People
rich flora and fauna.
water, sludge,
re-order timeslime, odour
and time and clogged
again lters,
which says forfor
a lot over 20safe,
this years.natural
People remedy.
re-order
Open from Easter until the end of time and time again which says a lot for this safe, natural remedy.
October from 10.00am. www.aquaplancton.co.uk
www.aquaplancton.co.uk
www.bluepooluk.com Tel:
Tel:01298 214003
01298 214003
The Blue Pool, Furzebrook,
Wareham, Dorset BH20 5AR
Tel:01929 551408 www.theenglishgarden.co.uk
Coming next issue in
ON
SALE
21 J U N E
Summer scent and splendour

Magnificent formality at Bruern Abbey in Oxfordshire
IMAGES CLIVE NICHOLS; JOE WAINWRIGHT; LYNN KEDDIE; DIANNA JAZWINSKI
Stylish planting in a Cheshire garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith

A steeply sloping plot in Sussex with curving borders and wildflower meadows
A tiny city garden with echoes of Great Dixters exuberance
How to grow gorgeous martagon lilies
PLUS Lavender advice from a Somerset farm, plants for butterflies,

and an expert guide to choosing and positioning sculpture
Dont miss out. Buy single copies or subscribe now at

theenglishgarden.co.uk or telephone 01858 438854

LAST WORD
A Reason to Garden
Katherine Swift ponders the many motivations that drive us when we
create a garden, and what, ultimately, our gardens all have in common
W
hat is a garden for? And
what is it that we do when
we garden? Sometimes, of
course, it just goes with
the territory. You buy a
house and there is a patch of ground attached.
You are busy with a budding career or a young
family, and you are thankful for the garden as a
sort of outdoor room, where you can do many of
the things you do in an indoor room reading,
relaxing, just hanging out plus some others that
would be harder indoors, such as sunbathing,
trampolining or playing football. Gardening,
if you have time for it at all, is a sort of green
housekeeping, with weeding standing in for
dusting, and mowing the lawn the horticultural
equivalent of vacuuming the carpet.
But then perhaps you start to notice the
plants, and (more insidiously) the plants in other
peoples gardens. This is when an element of
competitiveness creeps in. You have a choice so
many choices! And it is then that the principles

of interior design start to be applied. You scan
the magazines and the garden centres, choose the
colours and shapes of plants for your garden with
as much care as furnishing a room.
A few years down the line, and perhaps it is Gardening infinity pool. Or your garden becomes somewhere
where you can be happily invisible instead, wearing
food youre after. You are sick of supermarket links all the your oldest clothes, hair a mess. The garden as retreat.
vegetables, or havent enough space for all the
Cavolo nero your clean eating requires. You dig selves you are But whatever sort of garden you have, whatever
sort of gardening you do move house every
up the lawn and register for an allotment. Pigeons
and cabbage white butterflies haunt your dreams.
and all the few years, re-invent it (or yourself) half a dozen
times in the course of a lifetime you finally find
This is gardening as paranoia. selves you yourself surrounded by plants that remind you of
But later on you turn the garden over to wildlife
entirely, planting buddlejas for the butterflies and
have been. other people and other places: that slip of lavender
given by a friend and grown now into a hedge;
It brings out
ILLUSTRATION JULIA RIGBY PORTRAIT RICHARD BLOOM
teasels for the goldfinches. You leave dead wood that handsome variety of squash or poetically-
lying about for the beetles and build a bugs hotel.
This is gardening as nature conservation.
the best in named bean, given as seed and treasured up to be
planted anew each year; the cutting of a cutting of
Then perhaps you fall in love. With bearded all of us. a rose from Spain, its name long lost, but its giver
irises or French lavender, African marigolds or remembered. Your garden fills with memories.
old fashioned pinks, it doesnt matter what: youre And this, I think, is what gardening is all about,
hooked, and every year you buy more. You seek and why it is so uniquely satisfying. It links all the
out rarities. You make a Collection. selves you are and all the selves you have been. It
Or perhaps you decide to make a Statement: you links past and future, man and nature, wild and
build a Japanese teahouse or install a stainless steel cultivated. It brings out the best in all of us.

The only timber greenhouses
endorsed by the RHS
Traditional Cedar Greenhouses

Enhanced by Technology
See us at the
GARDENING
SCOTLAND
FLOWER SHOW
2nd-4th June
& RHS CHATSWORTH

FLOWER SHOW
7th-11th June
Stand No: 84
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT MAKES GABRIEL ASH GREENHOUSES SO SPECIAL

CALL 01829 271890 OR VISIT www.gabrielash.com
The Royal Horticultural Society. Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262
T H E H I G H E S T O F R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S
ENDORSED BY THE RHS
The Victorian Villa, Sussex
The Grange, Pennsylvania, USA Grow & Store, Lancashire Hartley Planthouse 8, London
RHS CHATSWORTH RHS HAMPTON RHS TATTON PARK

FLOWER SHOW COURT FLOWER SHOW FLOWER SHOW
Come and visit us at the Come and visit us at the RHS Come and visit us at the
RHS Chatsworth Flower Show Hampton Court Palace Flower Show RHS Tatton Park Flower Show
7th - 11th June - Stand number 83 4th - 9th July - Stand number 493 19th - 23rd July - Stand number 427
For information about our greenhouses please call 0800 783 8083
or visit www.hartley-botanic.co.uk
The only aluminium

greenhouses endorsed
by the RHS The Royal Horticultural Society. Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262

The English Garden June 2017 PDF

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Оригинальное название

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

The English Garden June 2017 PDF

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

IRN

JUNE 2017 For everyone who loves beautiful gardens www.theenglishgarden.co.uk

Celebrate early summer 4.40

Unusual flower and foliage HERBS

Clare Foggett, Editor

Wain, photographed Store for iPhones,

JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 3

Tel: 020 7349 3700 Fax: 020 7349 3701

The English Garden (UK issue) ISSN no 1361-2840. Printed in England.

133 HALCYON IMAGININGS Cottage

141 INCREDIBLE EDIBLES At The Pig

16 SHOPPING Presents for Fathers Day

6 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017

131 WHITE LIGHT Adrian Bloom

153 THE REVIEWER New book releases

162 LAST WORD Katherine Swift mulls

Offers EXTERIORS | INTERIORS | BIG SPACES

8 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017

Arts and Crafts garden restored

Garden Museum reopens

Meet The English Garden

LOOKING AHEAD: GARDEN FESTIVALS & FAIRS

10 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017

Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0JF

Grow your own salad MONTHLY

Make sure the

12 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017

Appearance The great spotted woodpecker is relatively

Late-spring care Butterflies under threat

JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 15

V-neck smock, 72.

Chasseur leather-lined boot,

Argentinian polo belt,

high-tech tools to traditional kit

Gardening gloves, 14.99.

Stanley flask, 32.99.

16 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017

Its a fantastic mower and I would definitely

Electric Mowers Petrol Mowers Lawn Riders Lawn Tractors

HappySweeds Honey umbrella,

Vented bee helmet, 21.22.

Get the Buzz Beehive house, 15.

Do your bit in the garden to help Tel: 0333 014 8000;

WBC Beehive, 490. Monthly honey subscription,

Collins Beekeepers Bible,

JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 19

I dont have an ego, says garden designer Right Jo Thompson.

normal working life, and involves

20 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017

The water is amazing, its like Gartenart Swimming Ponds

WORDS VICTORIA SUMMERLEY PHOTOGRAPHS CLIVE NICHOLS

JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 23

24 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017

JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 25

but I like it best then

26 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017

with aesthetic appeal

JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 29

WEEDING THE HOUSE

PORCINE APPEAL WENDY HOUSE

30 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017

With the Hayter Old Mower Amnesty, theres never been

See www.hayter.co.uk/amnesty for details