The English Garden 201004

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worth 14.99 APRIL A PRIL 2010
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NEW SERIES
Toby Buckland
talks techniques
Somerset to Surrey
fantastic gardens
TULIPS, BLUEBELLS, PEONIES AND IRISES
KEEPING HENS
AS GARDEN FRIENDS
www.theenglishgarden.co.uk
Spring blooms
APRIL IS THE MONTH TO...

Taste a sweet EASTER TEA out in the garden Go visiting with our MONEY-OFF VOUCHERS GROW YOUR OWN WINE or try the UKs best Take an eco-dip - try SWIMMING PONDS
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EDITORS LETTER
Growing veg in raised beds may be a way to allow children to enjoy the run of the patch without causing damage
appy childhood memories are precious and Im so grateful that many of mine were formed in wonderful gardens. One such garden was VANN in Surrey (pg 59). I used to play there with the owners daughter. At the time, I was blissfully unaware of how precious all the dainty woodland plants were and the work that went into keeping such a garden. Im sure I was guilty of squashing the odd primrose - to avoid this in my own garden, Ive told my young son that the flowers are home to little fairies (this works a treat). To me, Vann was just heaven with places to hide, and home to many adventures.
I respect gardeners who want to keep law and order, but it is a gift to allow children to enjoy a garden without too many rules imposed. Theres an art to getting the balance right, and it definitely takes a certain type of gardener and a certain amount of space to achieve this. Im convinced that being able to enjoy a garden and experiment with digging and building dens is how great and inventive gardeners are born. Ive been testing RAISED BEDS (pg 24) - growing veg in raised beds may be a way to allow children to enjoy the run of the veg patch without causing too much damage. On the subject of sharing, we have advice for those who want to keep hens and still have a productive garden (pg 92).
HOWARD WALKER
April has so many delights in store with primulas, bluebells and tulips being highlights for many. PASHLEY MANOR (pg 27) in Sussex is the place to head for a tulip bonanza at the end of the month, while ENYS GARDEN in Cornwall (pg 42) offers one of the most breathtaking bluebell scenes in the country. Im thrilled to be able to welcome TOBY BUCKLAND (pg 15) on board this month. In his NEW SERIES, he will be giving his advice and sharing his wisdom on practical gardening topics, starting with seedling care. Enjoy the issue and have a wonderful Easter - the perfect time to really get cracking on gardening projects.
THE ENGLISH GARDEN AWARDS 2009

Garden Media Guild Gardening Column Of The Year Jackie Bennett Garden Media Guild New Garden Media Talent Of The Year Stephanie Mahon
Tamsin Westhorpe, Editor
2008
Garden Media Guild New Writer Award Joe Reardon-Smith
On the cover:
Pashley Manor, Sussex (pg 27) Photograph: Marie OHara
May 6th - 9th 2010
Come and Celebrate 25 Years of Gardening Ideas with Us

17 Stylish Show Gardens RHS Malvern Floral Marquee 25th Anniversary Celebrations
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The English Garden (UK issue) ISSN no 1361-2840. Printed in England.
Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations
Contents APRIL
10 12
NEW The Rake James Alexander-Sinclairs round up of mustvisit shows and events. Plus what else is on in this months listings
Shopping for the smallholder We bring you the best

bits and bobs for keeping chickens, bees and more
27
:
15 17 24
NEW Talking techniques Toby Buckland starts his new

exclusive series with advice on potting on seedlings
In action Spring has sprung at Houghton Hall in Norfolk and

the team are kept busy with tasks all over the garden
Editors choice: Raised bed kits Tamsin finds out if flatpack kits are any good when it comes to creating an instant bed
32 Focus on Cornwall Gardens, flower shows and a luxury hotel 110 Library leaves Books to inspire artistry, travel and self-sufficiency 130 Guest speaker Alastair Sawday on good communal gardening
Glorious gardens
17
27 : 35 : 42 : 51 :
SUSSEX Eleven days of heaven Visit Pashley Manors

spectacular tulip festival with us - and plan to go this year
WILTSHIRE Attention to detail Order and colour

reign supreme in this young but mature garden
CORNWALL Into the blue English bluebells make this

restored ancient garden and park a seasonal wonderland
SOMERSET A secret no more A charming garden

once hidden behind closed doors is now open for visitors to enjoy
Design
97
105
59 : 67 70 :
DESIGN GUIDE Jekyll genius Plants are the star of this

beautiful garden, first created with the help of Gertrude Jekyll
35
DESIGN BOOK Planting pointers Andrew Duff reveals

how to pick and choose the best plants when designing your plot
DESIGN FEATURES Natural swimming ponds

Swimming pool, wildlife pond and the latest way to take a plunge
Grow & eat

79 : 84 : 89 Otter farm Mark Diacono explains why youll be in good
company if you plant a vineyard in your garden
From the kitchen garden High time for tea and lemon curd Eats &Treats A vineyard, restaurant, caf, garden, shop and
farmers market are all found under one roof in Suffolk
:
92
Keeping chickens Fancy fresh eggs on Easter Sunday? Find

out how having poultry and a flower-filled garden is possible
59
15
PAGE
105
PAGE
89
PAGE
PAGE
51
PAGE
59 35
PAGE
27
PAGE
42
Plants
: :
57 78
9 77 97 105
Plant swatch Three tough flowers to edge a border Eco-watch Much misunderstood lichens, mosses and fungi Plant focus Rare varieties of beautiful ruffle-flowered peonies Iris nursery Bearded irises bring a bit of French charm to the UK
84
79
Offers, competitions & events
: :
Subscriptions Save 31% plus receive a gift worth 19.95 Insurance Special rates for homes and gardens for readers 102 Plant offer FREE* TREE PEONY for every reader 114 Garden vouchers Make a great spring saving of 73.50
with our 2-for-1 entry or free afternoon tea at 16 of Englands most beautiful gardens
42
118 Reader Events 2010 Plan your perfect outing for this year 121 Web page and rules www.theenglishgarden.co.uk special
deals, and our competition and offer terms and conditions
On the cover
PLANT SWATCH
TOUGH EDGING
Path finders
Take your choice of low-growing, front-of-border plants that hold their own against foot traffic
CAMPANULA /GWI - RODGER TAMBLYN SANTOLINA /GWI - FLOWERPHOTOS/GILLIAN PLUMMER LAVANDULA /GWI - JOHN MARTIN COMPILED BY /JACKIE BENNETT
Campanula
Campanula portenschlagiana, the Dalmatian bellflower, is a true-blue stalwart (above). With an Award of Garden Merit from the RHS, it is an easy-to-grow rockery plant that spreads vigorously, making it ideal as a path edging too. Flowers appear from June to September. Height 15cm. Spread up to 90cm.
Santolina
A small evergreen shrub with a Mediterranean pedigree, Santolina chamaecyparissus makes an excellent low hedge. The shoots have a white, downy appearance - hence the common name, cotton lavender - and the leaves are narrow and aromatic with tiny teeth along their edges. It also has white buds (top right) and sunny yellow flowers from mid- to late summer. Height 50cm. Spread to 90cm.
Lavender
For an unusual compact lavender, try Lavandula angustifolia Loddon Pink (above right). Its ideal for the front of a border or grown in a row either side of a path. The almost-pink flowers make a change from blues and the foliage is soft and aromatic. Height 45cm. Spread to 90cm.
GROWING CONDITIONS Lavenders like

well-drained conditions and lots of sun. Clip off the finished flower stems in spring, taking care not to cut into the woody stems. If growing in rows, be prepared to replace one or two plants from time to time.
GROWING CONDITIONS Likes a fertile,

well-drained soil and as much sun as possible. It can be grown at the base of a south-facing wall; in crevices; in between paving stones; and along pathways. It is hardy, but will need water if there are prolonged dry spells.
GROWING CONDITIONS Loves a sunny

position and can cope with poor soil as long as it has good drainage. Cut back the flower stems in spring.
WHERE TO BUY Not widely available, but

try Norfolk Lavender, tel: 0845 3451555, www.norfolk-lavender.co.uk or New Forest Lavender - www.newforestlavender.com - or online at www.shootgardening.co.uk
WHERE TO BUY Widely available at garden

centres or try Perryhill Nurseries, Edenbridge Road, Hartfield, East Sussex TN7 4JP . Tel: +44 (0)1892 770377 . www.perryhillnurseries.co.uk
WHERE TO BUY Widely available or try

Buckingham Nurseries and Garden Centre, Tingewick Road, Buckingham MK18 4AE. Tel: +44 (0)1280 822133. www.hedging.co.uk
The English Garden
news G updates G events G trends G gossip G news G updates G events

any months have di stinctive colours: January can be quite brownish, and April is terribly, terribly yellow. It is the month of the daffodil, when gardens, roadside verges and vases are stuffed full of the irrepressibly cheerful little blighters. Fine while they l ast, but by the end of the month I am longing for something less eggy. That is why the tulip, with its many colours, is so very welcome. This month there are tulip festivals all over the country, organised by the excellent De Jager bulb people - find out whats going on in your region by visiting www.dejager.co.uk James Alexander-Sinclair
AH! AURICULAS
An auricula is basically an extremely superior primrose that became popular in the late 18th century. Interestingly, it was not the gardeners in grand houses but the weavers and miners of Northern England who began breeding and showing them. They were displayed in auricula theatres, which were wooden structures designed to protect them from the weather and show them off at their best. Calke Abbey in Derbyshire houses the only surviving original example. They are beautiful plants with many, many different colours and subtleties. This is the time of year when they flower so hurry, hurry. The National Auricula and Primula Society have shows in the West of England (17 April) and the West Midlands (25 April). For further details, tel: +44 (0)1530 222458. www.auriculaandprimula.org.uk
EATING ASPARAGUS
Do you know Marriott Edgar? He wrote monologues for Stanley Holloway and others: Albert and the Lion is probably the best known. My children can recite one about Mr Ramsbottom going to the races, which has the refrain Ass-sparagus, wot the toffs eat. He wins, has a dressed crab for his tea and buys some asparagus to take home with him. Unfortunately, as he has no idea what it is. He feeds the ends to various rabbits and Mrs R thinks they are sticks for the fire. Anyway, the point of that slightly longwinded story is that British Asparagus Season starts on 23 April, and no longer is it just the Toffs who get to eat this particularly wonderful vegetable. The season only lasts a few short weeks, so go get some. There are recipes and growing advice at the website: www.british-asparagus.co.uk
COURSES AT BARNSDALE
Most of you will remember (fondly) Geoff Hamilton who presented of scrap wood and great organically raised plants. The programme was broadcast from his own garden at Barnsdale, near Rutland Water. The gardens are still thriving and offer a wide range of useful courses. This month you could learn about composting, vegetables, pruning, watercolours and designing with plants (this last one with Chelsea medal winner Adam Frost). Tel: +44 (0)1572 813200 or visit www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk
RAKE ILLUSTRATION /JO DAVIES JAMES ALEXANDER-SINCLAIR /JENNY LEWIS AURICULAS /JOHN SEWELL ASPARAGUS /WWW.SARAHRAVEN.COM BARNSDALE /HAMILTON PHOTOGRAPHY
Gardeners World in the 1980s: lots of sheds knocked up from bits
10 The English Garden
trends G gossip G news G updates G events G trends G gossip G news

APRIL EVENTS RHS MALVERN SHOW
We are just about to launch ourselves into the maelstrom of garden shows. The first big RHS show is the marvellous Malvern Spring Show (Thurs 6 to Sun 9 May). This is probably my favourite show, because the setting is uncrowded and lovely, the show gardens spectacular and the nurseries are enthusiastic. This will be the fifth consecutive year that I run the theatre there, and the 25th anniversary of the show itself. On Thursday, I will be joining Chris Beardshaw when he chooses the lucky designer who will be mentored by him for the next year. Joe Swift and Cleve West are there on Friday and Saturday, so for the first time we will have Three Men Went To Mow: Live. I am not quite sure exactly what we will be doing but I think it will involve Jekka McVicar, some chickens, a number of garden designers, a gaggle of nurserymen and (definitely) some acrobats. Plus food, cookery demonstrations, garden advice and plants for sale. Daily, 9am-6pm. Tickets from 13.50 to 29.50. Tel: +44 (0)1684 584900 or visit www.threecounties.co.uk G Thursday 1 April to 12 September, London A new exhibition and a series of events will be held at the Garden Museum about Christopher Lloyd and his life at Great Dixter. For further details, tel: +44 (0)20 7401 8865 or visit www.museumgardenhistory.org G Friday 2 to Monday 5 April, Suffolk The Suffolk Garden Show, the southeasts largest horticultural event at Trinity Park showground. 9.30am5pm. Tel: +44 (0)1702 549623. www.aztecevents.co.uk G Sunday 4 & Monday 5 April, Hereford A traditional Easter lunch at Castle House, followed by an egg hunt in the garden. To book a table, tel: +44 (0)1432 356321. www.castlehse.co.uk G Sunday 4 & Monday 5 April, Shropshire Plant Hunters fair at the Dorothy Clive Garden. 10am-5.30pm. www.dorothyclivegarden.co.uk G Sunday 11 April, Northamptonshire Growing for success, a RHS lecture with James Alexander-Sinclair at Evenley Wood Garden. 3.30-5.30pm. For tickets, tel: 0845 6121253. or visit www.rhs.org.uk G Friday 16 to Sunday 18 April, Cardiff Held in Bute Park, the RHS show provides inspirational displays and expert advice. To book, visit www.rhs.org.uk G Saturday 17 to Sunday 25 April, Guernsey Spring festival week. To find out more about events, visit www.floralguernsey.co.uk G Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 April, Yorkshire Enjoy the Harrogate Spring Flower Show at the Great Yorkshire Showground. Tickets from 12. Save 2 by booking online before noon on Tuesday 20 April. Tel: 0845 8733303. www.flowershow.org.uk G Tuesday 20 to 27 April, Kent View the spectacular tulips and spring bulbs at Leeds Castle. Tickets 17 .50 for adults and 10 for children - every ticket is valid for 12 months and includes entry to forthcoming events. 10am6pm. Tel: +44 (0)1622 765400.
WAKEHURST /RBG KEW
www.leeds-castle.com
TAKE A WALK AT WAKEHURST

Kews country cousin, Wakehurst Place, covers 465 acres of Sussex, with gardens, woodland and the Millennium Seed Bank. The weekend of 24-25 April sees the first of the Spring Flower Weekends there. Knowledgeable guides lead tours to see bluebells, rhododendrons and wildflowers. For the less mobile, there are minibus tours on the Sunday. Find out more by calling tel: +44 (0)1444 894067 or at www.kew.org
G Thursday 22 April to Sunday 9 May, Derbyshire Bluebells and more at Renishaw. For more information, tel: +44 (0)1246 432310. www.sitwell.co.uk
SHOPPING
FOR THE SMALLHOLDER
Merci beau coop

Show your gratitude to your feathered friends and buzzing honey bees with these deluxe homes and accessories, guaranteed to get them flapping with excitement
COMPILED BY/VICTORIA KINGSBURY
OPPOSITE PAGE The Beach Hut, suitable for four to six hens, 599. Tel: +44 (0)7712 649598. www.happyhenhuts.co.uk 2 Drinker, 24. Brush and scraper, 13.50. Corn scoop, 12. Tel: +44 (0)1359 268322. www.kitchen-garden-hens.co.uk 3 The Eglu Cube. Available in green, pink, orange, red and purple. From 595. Tel: 0845 4502056. www.omlet.co.uk 4 The Bantam beehive, 235. A 1.8m run could be added for 150. Tel: +44 (0)1730 825119. www.newbarntimberproducts.co.uk 5 Bumblebee nester, 22. Tel: +44 (0)1844 217060. www.henandhammock.co.uk 6 Classic duck house. Available in two sizes. From 285. Tel: +44 (0)1300 345229. www.flytesofancy.co.uk 7 Stockholm Duck Island. 2,585. Tel: +44 (0)20 7736 3464. www.birdpavilions.com 8 Wire egg basket, 13. Tel: 0845 2591359. www.notonthehighstreet.com
The English Garden
13
NEW SERIES
Talking techniques
Sowing time
Toby Buckland begins his new column by planning for the future needs of his seeds
y annual struggle for space in the glasshouse is more intense than ever, thanks to another uncharacteristically cold winter. So, as well as trays of annuals for cutting - plum-coloured cornflowers and stripy Mr Magestic calendulas - summer tomatoes and chillies, I also have reinforcements for the flowers that limped through the bitter cold of December. Like most gardeners I like to have a go with plants at the edge and often just beyond what is sensible, and living in a house perched on a south-facing slope in Devon, the range I can experiment with (or, rather, waste my money on) is huge. At the moment, my favourite borderliner is a Madeiran, Geranium palmatum, a shortlived perennial with glossy green leaves, like a scaled-up Herb Robert. The following summer after sowing, it sends up a cloud of shimmering pearl-pink flowers, 1.2m high and wide on wiry stems clad in a velvet-pink down. This year Im experimenting with a homemade potting-on mix for my seedlings, made from peatfree multipurpose and wormpost. Wormpost is the crme de la crme of soil improvers, not nutrient-rich but packed with life: invisible, microscopic friendly bacteria and fungi that boost plant growth by effectively increasing the rooting
I vowed never to buy another new plastic pot... I figured with the hoard stashed under the potting bench I would never be desperate
IMAGE /COURTESY OF EBURY PRESS, GARDENERS WORLD PRACTICAL GARDENING HANDBOOK - JASON INGRAM
area. For a price, you can buy tubs of this natural elixir from garden centres, but it is more economical to make your own. Ive had a wormcomposter (it looks like a stack of crates) for years, and its so simple to look after. In exchange for topping it up with shredded newspaper, leafy kitchen scraps and the occasional sprinkle of wood ash - the calcium stops the wormery becoming too acidic - a free bucket-load of wormpost collects in the bottom every year. Added to the peat-free at about a quarter by volume, Ive found it really makes a difference to growth and makes easy-toover-water peat-free blends more forgiving.
Last year I vowed never to buy another new plastic pot. If I was desperate (and I figured with the hoard of cobweb-covered pots Ive got stashed under the potting bench I never would be), I could source more from the many nurseries hereabout that run recycling schemes, relieving customers of their unwanted containers and selling them on to customers who do. This was only half the plan, as I also invested in a large pack of biodegradable 3in and 4in containers specifically for sowing and growing on seeds. Made from pulped cornstarch or miscanthus, after a two- to three-year working life they retire to the compost heap, or are buried
with the roots that occupy them straight into the borders where they quickly rot away - unlike plastic, which always end up in landfill. Another selling point is the range of tasteful colours they come in, from plum to olive green and baby blue. Theyre just the thing for telling batches of seedlings that look the same apart, such as indoor and outdoor tomatoes, for example, or to monitor different blends of potting compost to find out which is the best. I dont know how I managed so long without them!
Next month: Growing winter cabbages.

The English Garden
15
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APRIL
IN ACTION
Bud and blossom at Houghton

We follow the gardeners at Houghton Halls award-winning walled garden in north Norfolk as they continue their duties for the spring season, combining maintaining the crisp appearance of the garden with tasks such as pruning, planting borders, preparing beds and setting out potatoes
PHOTOGRAPHS RICHARD HANSON WORDS JACKIE BENNETT
ROSE ARCHES
G The bare stems of the climbing roses are already starting to shoot and fill out. The skeleton of the galvanised rose arches will soon disappear beneath foliage and flowers. G Climbers and ramblers (this is Albric Barbier) need to be kept well fed and watered at this time of year. They are given a dressing of blood, fish and bone, mulched with compost and well-rotted horse manure.
herry blossom is sprinkled like confetti on paths this month (above). The trees (Prunus Taihaku) were planted only a decade ago but already are forming an effective tunnel. The long closed season is officially over, and visitors arrive to see the historic house and gardens, which open from Easter Sunday onwards. The statues are unwrapped, paths are weeded and swept, lawns mowed and edges clipped into shape. In the walled garden, the vegetable beds are being prepared for planting and everyone on the team has to juggle the demands of keeping the garden in top condition while continuing to plant, prune and maintain the borders. Elsewhere at Houghton, owner Lord Cholmondeley is developing the grounds with an exciting collection of modern sculpture, and creating rides and walks to an original 18th-century plan.
The English Garden
17
GROUND PREPARATION
G Gardeners James (above) and David (below)
IN THE VEG GARDEN
spend many hours weeding and forking over the soil in the vegetable beds in preparation for planting. The beds are designed to look good as well as be productive, so attention to detail is paramount. Espalier fruit trees, including cherries, plums and apples, form an attractive boundary to this area. The trees will be netted very soon, particularly the cherries and plums, plus the gooseberries and blueberry bushes, which birds love. G The vegetable plots are fed with a blood, fish and bone mixture, which is rotavated into the soil a week or two before planting.
SEASON TO SEASON
The walled garden has thrown off the mantle of winter, and in the rose garden, the four Classical statues of Diana, Pan, Bacchus and Orpheus can be glimpsed in the spring sunshine.
SETTING OUT SEED POTATOES

G Lord Cholmondeley likes to grow a selection of modern and old-fashioned culinary varieties, and the team are planting Rooster, a good all-round red-skinned maincrop variety, and Anya a slender salad potato with a nutty taste. Others tried include Maris Peer, with purple flowers, and Arran Victory, a maincrop with purple tubers that are white when cut open. G The seed potatoes are chitted in trays and put in a cool light place, encouraging them to produce shoots. This helps bring forward the crop by a couple of weeks. G The chitted potatoes are kept strictly in their named batches, marked with large wooden labels (painted white to make them easier to see and less likely to lose). They are planted in trenches 10cm deep, with the shoots uppermost, and covered with a mound of loose soil.
18
The English Garden
APRIL
IN ACTION
Meet the
GARDENER
Working with Head Gardener Mhari Blanchfield is a team of full- and part-time gardeners. Charlotte Fry came to Houghton three years ago and takes special responsibility for the Orchid House. G What were you doing before you came to Houghton? I worked for a garden design company while I was studying for my HND Amenity Horticulture at Easton College. G What work do you enjoy most? Obviously the orchids are really special to me - they are just such a fascinating group of plants and really diverse. I am also involved in propagation, including seed raising and cuttings, which I enjoy.
The team juggles keeping the garden in top condition with continuing to plant, prune and maintain the borders
DIAMOND BEDS
G The diamond shaped box-edged beds beside the south wall have a changing display of colourful planting. This season, they have been planted up with a bright jewel-like mixture of wallflowers (Erysimum Persian Carpet Mix) and tulips, including the pink and white Carnaval de Nice and Rococo. G This planting will be lifted after the tulips have finished and replaced with a summer display of half-hardy pelargoniums and heliotropes, which have been raised in the glasshouses.
And best of all, I love fruit pruning. There is something so satisfying about getting those trees and bushes exactly right and I like that sort of precision work. G What do you enjoy least? Grass cutting. I would rather do anything than grass cutting. Luckily I dont have to. G What are you most looking forward to this year? I am actually getting married in May and we are having the reception in the garden here, in a marquee near the stable block. I am extremely privileged to be allowed to have it on the estate, as this is not really a regular occurrence. I feel very lucky to work in such a magical place and cant imagine having my
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wedding anywhere else!
APRIL
IN ACTION
JOBS ON THE NOTICEBOARD
THE DOUBLE BORDERS

G The herbaceous borders run to 130m, from the glasshouse at the north end to the Rustic Temple at the south. They are backed by high yew hedges and are broken in the middle by a yew roundel. The borders at the
IN THE MAIN BORDER
north end are planted with hot colours, which grade to cooler blues and whites at the south end. Just visible now are the mounds of catmint (nepeta), grown at the front, the first silvery leaves of cardoons and splashes of dark red tulips. The oak rocket-shaped supports offer structures for roses to climb over.
UNDER GLASS
G G G
THE ITALIAN GARDEN

G Pleached limes surround the area known as The Italian Garden, which is divided into four sections, planted with plum trees and underplanted with spring bulbs such as pheasant-eye narcissus and Camassia quamash. G Over the years, the plum trees have not responded well to pruning, and this year are being replaced with two varieties of crab apple - Malus Royalty (red) and Malus Winter Gold (yellow) for spring blossom and autumn foliage.
Mend loose or broken panes Repot orchids as needed Seed sowing and potting on
FRUIT & VEGETABLES

G Set out maincrop and salad potatoes G Continue planting onion sets G Feed all fruit with a granular
nitrogen food G Remove any remaining rhubarb forcers
FLOWERS & BORDERS

G Weeding - all borders G Watch and spray for lily
The borders at the north end are planted with hot colours, which grade to cooler blues and whites at the south end
beetle in the polytunnel and peony beds G Prepare pots of geraniums, fuchsias and helichrysum ready to go out around the rose garden pond after frosts G Seed sowing and pricking out G Deadhead camellias in pots
Coming up next month

A diverse range of salads and vegetables are planted out, and the lilac and wisteria come into flower. Houghton Hall gardens are open from 4 April to 30 September; Wednesdays, Thursday, Sundays and bank holiday Mondays; 11.30am5.30pm. Tel: +44 (0)1485 528569. www.houghtonhall.com
LAWNS
G Cut lawns weekly G Edge lawns weekly
SHOW PREVIEW
Great Spring Gardening Event

Join us as we celebrate with the British Red Cross at its 13th annual garden show on 28 April at the stunning Eastnor Castle near Ledbury, Herefordshire
his year, the much anticipated British Red Cross
Great Spring Gardening Event will take place in the
splendid surroundings of Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire. Visitors will have plenty to see and do, with garden designers on hand to offer advice on layout and planting. With over 100 stallholders (40 specialist plant nurseries), garden and home accessories, gardening equipment, furniture and garden ornaments, its the perfect gardeners day out. Food will also be a feature with stands offering a range of produce from olives, cheeses and preserves to handmade cakes. In the Red Cross marquee, hot and cold lunches will be served, with tea, coffee, cakes and open rolls available throughout the day. The Eastnor Castle Caf and ice cream parlour will also be open. Dont miss the chance to come and say hello to The English Garden team on our stand in the main stalls marquee - we love to meet our readers and find out what you think about our magazine. In addition to the gardening show, youll have the opportunity to tour the castle, gardens and historic arboretum - containing a fine collection of 19th-century conifers collected from all over the world - which is included in the entry price. This years link with Eastnor Castle is particularly poignant, as the current owners grandmother, Lady Finola Somers, was a life-long member of the Red Cross, starting as a Voluntary Aid BOOKING AHEAD A limited number of pre-booked lunches are available in the castles state dining room. To pre-book, call Eastnor Castle estate office on tel: +44 (0)1531 633160. Detachment (VAD) nurse during the First World War, and later as President of the Herefordshire branch.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
G The Castle is 2.5 miles east of Ledbury on the A438 Tewkesbury road. G Alternatively leave the M50 at Junction 2 and from Ledbury take the A449/A438 to Eastnor. G Parking is available on site and coach parties are welcome by prior arrangement.
GREAT SPRING GARDENING EVENT, 28 APRIL 2010

Time: 10.30am - 4.30pm. Admission: 7 .50 or 5.50 after 1pm. Entry free for children under 12. Limited wheelchair access. Dogs are allowed on leads. Details: Call the Red Cross in Herefordshire, tel: +44 (0)1432 272522 or the 24-hour recorded hotline : tel: +44 (0)7547 752197 . www.redcross.org.uk/events
Go to www.redcross.org.uk/events or tel: + 44 (0)1432 272522
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The English Garden
RAISED BEDS
Choice
Editors
Which of these wooden raised beds is highest on the list?

here was I thinking that raised beds were a new thing. After a little research Ive discovered that they were all the rage in the 1970s. There was a fashion for growing vegetables in mounded deep beds but heavy rain would often wash the soil away, so raised beds were used to confine the edges. I suspect that then most were made out of scaffold boards and pieces of spare wood, but now we are spoilt for choice with many purpose-built beds on offer. Growing in raised beds avoids heavy digging, and they are designed to be of a width so that the gardener never treads on the soil and therefore compacts it. There is an argument that raised
beds allow you to fit more crops into a space and the yields are often higher, but once a wheelbarrow-wide path is placed between beds this is often not the case - this issue is a point of discussion between many gardeners. As they have solid sides, it does mean that covering crops with netting and fleece is often far easier; its so easy to net the top of a bed to keep the rabbits off the lettuce. When gardening on very stony ground, by raising the soil level with home-made compost, they have enabled me to grow straight carrots and parsnips. Raised beds can look rather smart and, if deep enough, allow you to grow crops on areas of hard standing (however, you do need to think about
drainage here). From my experience, they are perfect if you would rather hand weed than hoe, especially if you can perch your bottom on the edge. For those gardeners who are wheelchair bound, they make an incredible difference, and raised beds can be thanked for helping many people to garden who otherwise might not be able to. The beds in my selection are all made of wood and come in a range of designs. Im impressed with how inventive some of them are because ultimately they are a very simple concept. I would prefer to pick one type of raised bed and stick to it to allow for a more organised looking garden. Im all for them.
IMAGES /HOWARD WALKER
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The 2-Plank-High Raised Garden Beds are available in many sizes, but all have a height of 360mm. They arrive flatpacked and are made of high quality FSC treated timber that should last for 15-20 years. I was impressed with the personal service offered and the quality of the beds, and its great to know that the company will build beds to your requirements. The wider top edging is solid enough to sit on, which makes for easy weeding. Prices start at 112 for the smallest H360 x L900 x W600mm (delivery costs start at 9 - beds can be delivered fully assembled for a fee). comes with an ingenious purpose-made fitted membrane liner. These beds will surely keep the slugs away. Backed up with a great website that offers growing advice. Im thrilled to see such an inventive raised bed, so the Vegtrug is my EDITORS CHOICE. The 2m-long bed is priced at 149 for a natural finish, 199 for cornflower blue or sage green finish. The 1m bed is priced at 99 for natural and 129 for the coloured (plus delivery).
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Raised beds can look rather smart and, if deep enough, allow you to grow on areas of hard standing
The Raised Wooden Vegetable Bed is basic but does the job at a reasonable price. It has
no bells and whistles but it works. Measuring 1.8m x 0.9m with a height of 220mm and made of high quality pressure-treated wood in the UK. Comes flatpacked and is simple to put together. Each corner has a wooden spike that holds it to the ground. Priced at 24.99 (plus delivery).
The Small Herb Garden would make a welcome addition to a courtyard garden and is
The Recycled Works have some ingenious raised beds and the Single Standard Deep
Raised Bed measures H300 x L900 x W900mm and would be perfect for potatoes or showbench roots. Made of FSC certified wood, the wooden slats can simply be slotted in and out and the corner posts are perfect for attaching crop protection. There are also compost bins and other bed designs in the slot-in range. From 52.16 (free UK delivery).
handy to have outside the back door. Made in the
The Vegtrug will appeal to younger gardeners and has proved perfect for those in wheelchairs.
UK from sustainable timber painted in bone. The dimensions are H900 x L900 x W600mm and the box is lined with plastic. My concern is drainage herbs like a well-drained soil so overwatering may be an issue. On arrival simply screw the legs on. Priced at 149.95 (delivery 9.95).
The beds arrive as flatpacks and are made of treated timber sourced from sustainable plantation-grown fir. They come with plastic feet to protect the wood and are a comfy height to work from. Each bed
STOCKISTS
G 2-Plank-High Raised Garden Beds Available from The Raised Garden Bed Company. Tel: + 44 (0)1805 622661. www.raised-gardenbeds.co.uk G Vegtrug For mail order, go to www.gardenbargains.com or call tel: 0845 4689689. For the nearest stockist, visit www.vegtrug.com G The Small Herb Garden From Sparrow & Finch. Tel: +44 (0)1892 861202. www.sparrowandfinch.co.uk G Raised Wooden Vegetable Bed Exclusive to Webbs. Tel: 0870 2250227 . www.webbsdirect.co.uk
ALL PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRINT
G Wooden raised beds from The Recycle Works. Tel: +44 (0)1254 820088. www.recycleworks.co.uk Please note that all the beds require some self assembly.
The English Garden
25
GLORIOUS GARDENS
SUSSEX
Eleven days
OF HEAVEN
Pashley Manors annual tulip festival celebrates its 17th year this April, promising delightful displays with 22,000 of these cherished blooms
PHOTOGRAPHS MARIE OHARA WORDS CAMILLA PHELPS
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Every year people flock to Pashley to place bulb orders, enjoy tulip displays, high tea and the splendid spring garden here.
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GLORIOUS GARDENS
SUSSEX
he tulip is an extraordinary flower: rich, silky cups in hundreds of lustrous shades with enchanting variations of form. Yet while individually stunning, these blooms are even better seen en masse, bringing an explosion of carnival colours to spring borders. This is the visual feast youll find at Pashley Manor in East Sussex, where the gardens have become synonymous with tulips. At the end of April, the borders explode with sweeping drifts that frame views across the garden to the landscape beyond. Tulips lead you around the garden, through colourful rooms, bursting out of lowgrowing ground cover and containers, offering the perfect accompaniment to sculpture, seating and trees and shrubs not yet fully in leaf. No planted part of the garden is tulip free. Now in its 17th year, the planning, preparation and planting of the spring tulip festival underpins the rest of the gardening year for owners James and Angela Sellick and the team of seven gardeners, led by head gardener Keith Boylett. Its a massive undertaking. Every November, around 20,000 Bloms bulbs are delivered, and, with reasonable weather, the gardeners can plant 1,300 in a day. But last year, with conditions that were completely unsuitable for bulb planting - first wet, then frost and snow - it was a real challenge to keep to the usual deadline of getting all the bulbs in by January. Getting the timing right is difficult. Its crucial to ensure that the bulbs flower at the end of April and that they are at their prime throughout the 11 days of the event. New bulbs every year are essential in order to guarantee a high-quality show, but at Pashley there are no species bulbs as these tend to flower much earlier.
Tulips lead you around the garden, through colourful rooms, bursting out of low-growing groundcover and containers... No planted part of the garden is tulip free
Keith says the best guarantee of flowering times is to plant a little later than usual. In the early years, I used to worry about the flowering time, says James. But Keith, who has worked at the gardens for 14 years, has an encyclopaedic knowledge of tulips and a few tricks up his sleeve. The tulips are usually mid-season Darwin hybrids, guaranteed to flower at the end of April. Occasionally, a mystery bulb turns up, and one year 1,000 bulbs arrived that flower in early April and would have left a huge gap in the display. With no suitable substitutes available, Keith planted them deep, upside down and very late. By stalling their growth in this way, he was able to manipulate the flowering time. But this is a rare occurrence, and the quality of the display owes everything to meticulous planning. It all starts in September, when Angela and Keith survey the garden with Ronald Blom or his sons - James
ABOVE Tulipa Shirley and Tulipa White Dream , underplanted with blue forget-me-nots, beneath the espaliered pear trees in the rose walk. LEFT A colour-themed mix of tulips in the stellata bed at Pashley Manor.
Representatives from Bloms Bulbs are at Pashley for the 11-day festival, so visitors can place orders for tulips if they have seen some varieties they like, and get advice from those in the know.The bulbs are then posted out in autumn. All tulips in the gardens are clearly labelled. TOP LEFT Fringed white Tulipa Honeymoon . . TOP CENTRE Star-blast Tulipa Maytime TOP RIGHT Dark beauty Tulipa Paul Scherer . MIDDLE LEFT Delicate Tulipa Freeman . MIDDLE RIGHT The fabulous folds of Tulipa Flaming Parrot . BOTTOM LEFT Simple but divine Tulipa Barcelona . BOTTOM CENTRE Red-edged luscious yellow Tulipa Jewel of Spring . BOTTOM RIGHT The pointed petals of extraordinary bicolour Tulipa Fly Away .
GLORIOUS GARDENS
SUSSEX
prefers to provide support and encouragement from the sidelines. The trio refer to plans from previous years, making selections based on Bloms availability list, using tried-and-tested planting combinations and showcasing new and interesting varieties. Its a far cry from the first year, when the Sellicks were persuaded to host the festival by friend and Daily Telegraph writer, the late Anne Cambell Dixon. She suggested a tulip festival in 1994 as a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first bulb in Britain. But it was February, and far too late to get any tulips planted. Anne swept us into it, recalls James. He wasnt especially fanatical about tulips and he confesses that there wasnt a single tulip in the garden when he received that first enthusiastic phone call. At first quite incredulous that Anne could be thinking about a festival with such little time to plan it, he and his wife were ultimately persuaded; and in that first year, the displays were largely based around tulip paraphernalia - furniture, botanical art, china - with cut flowers and potted bulbs. By the second year, the Sellicks had found a passion for tulips and forged a relationship with Bloms Bulbs, and the festival became a firm fixture. Now we get about 10,000 visitors over 11 days, says James. But it has really made a huge difference to the whole garden. It shapes the planting for the rest of the year, because we have to keep the open spaces for the tulips and then replace with bedding plants to complement the perennials and shrubs in each bed. So I think it makes it much more interesting. Although not part of the original garden plans, tulips and Pashley are a perfect match. The garden rooms are strongly colour themed, so the extraordinary range offered by tulips fits perfectly with the design ethos.
Tulips and Pashley are a perfect match - the garden rooms are strongly colour themed, so the extraordinary range offered by these bulbs fits perfectly with the gardens design ethos
OPPOSITE The Lutyens bed with, in top right-hand corner, pink tulip Barcelona and white Honeymoon . Bottom right are mid-pink Picture , mixed with pale Pink Diamond . By the berberis are some Palestrina , and, top left, a mix of Dreamer and Pink Dawn . ABOVE Some of the 2,000 cut blooms on display. RIGHT Angela Sellick. FAR RIGHT Paul Blom (furthest right) giving advice.
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GLORIOUS GARDENS
SUSSEX
Signature combinations such as Spring Green and White Triumphator in the Elizabethan garden, and the complementary mahogany and gold colouring of varieties such as Abu Hassan and Helmar in the hot garden are favourites. For visitors, its a wonderful opportunity to see how you can get the best out of tulips in a garden environment, and to view how different varieties of tulips can work together, using height, form and colour to best effect. There are more than 90 different varieties, many planted in groups of up to 600 at a time; others in groups as small as 25. A Pashley favourite, Shirley has become so over the past few years because of the dramatic change in colour as the blooms mature, from cream through white to lilac purple. Keith says: We had them by the pool one year, which gets a lot of sun at one end, and you could see the full colour transition through the flowers in full sun to the ones in shade that were a week behind. In 2010, some of the stars of the show will be the purple Maytime; the white, fringed Honeymoon; and the bright red Jane Packer. Visitors can be inspired by the Pashley displays and then order from Bloms directly at the festival. While the garden revolves around tulips, there are also 100 varieties of roses and an annual rose weekend later in the year with experts from Peter Beales. Lilies also feature heavily in the late summer planting schemes. Other special events at Pashley include the Sculpture in Particular festival, a kitchen garden weekend and a craft fair; but the main event in spring will continue to be the show-stopping tulip festival. Once the celebrations are over and the blooms begin to fade, the team at Pashley must face the challenge of digging up all the bulbs, and continuing the sequence
This style of gardening harks back to another era... the passion and enthusiasm shared by everyone at Pashley Manor for the festival is evident
of colours with seasonal bedding. Planting the bulbs takes approximately four to five weeks, but lifting them can take six weeks or more. The gardeners do this work as early as possible so as not to allow any fading foliage to spoil future displays. The majority of lifted bulbs are donated to local schools, hospitals and hospices. Theres no doubt that in our low-maintenance times, this style of gardening harks back to another era, but the passion and enthusiasm shared by everyone at Pashley Manor for the festival is evident in the glorious displays of this wonderful bloom. Pashley Manor Gardens, Ticehurst, Near Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 7HE. Tel: +44 (0)1580 200888. The tulip festival runs from Fri 23 April every day until bank holiday Mon 3 May. Garden open 1 April to 30 Sept; Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat, bank holiday Mondays and special event days; 11am-5pm. www.pashleymanorgardens.com
ABOVE An array of pinks and whites in the Lutyens borders with the white Tulipa Sweet Love and the white with pink flecks Tulipa Del Piero in the foreground. LEFT The nearly black Tulipa Paul Scherer , darker and closer to black than Queen of Night according to Keith, and Tulipa Fly Away in the hot-coloured herbaceous borders.
GLORIOUS GARDENS
SUSSEX
The notebook
Pashley Manor Gardens cover 11 acres, largely southeast facing on a gentle slope into a shallow valley. The soil is a Wealden clay base with a layer of green sand on top, improved with compost
GROWING TULIPS IN POTS

Keith says to start with fresh, general purpose potting compost and plant the bulbs nice and deep (15-20cm) and only use varieties under 48cm tall - this helps them stand firm in windy conditions. Use plenty of bulbs to get a good display. If you have a small pot you can layer the bulbs - youll find they grow up through each other and can flower at different times since the deeper bulbs will take a little longer to come up.
FOR ARTISTIC TYPES

The festival attracts not just bulb lovers but botanical artists too, who take advantage of the masses of different blooms on show, like Sue Clarke (above).
ON SHOW
The action isnt just in the garden during the festival, as indoors visitors will find about 2,000 cut tulips displayed in vases. Bloms bring more than 50 cut-flower varieties along to make sure every possible vista involves tulips. All of those varieties have to be labelled, and here Sue prepares the labels so people will know what is what (left).
TULIP TIPS FROM PASHLEY

G Plant your bulbs as soon as you receive them (preferably through October and November, but its okay to plant in December too). Plant them as deep as possible - between 5in and 8in. G If you want to delay flowering by a week or so, simply plant bulbs on their side. G If you have wet soil put some grit in the holes before you plant the bulb. G Once planted, ensure bulbs get plenty of water through January and February. G Although at Pashley we dig up the bulbs every year, if you are keeping your bulbs in the ground, then deadhead the flowers (but leave foliage) as soon as they fade, so they dont waste any energy producing seeds, and all the energy goes into the bulb, ready for it to flower again next season. G After deadheading, give the tulips a weekly liquid feed until the foliage dies back - again, to strengthen the bulb for next season.
CONTACTS
OTHER PLACES TO SEE TULIPS AND TULIP SPECIALISTS
G Bloms Bulbs at Chelsea Show Garden, Cambo Estate , St Andrews, Fife KY16 8QD. Open from 29 April to 3 May. Tel: +44 (0)1333 450054. www.camboestate.com G Chenies Manor Tulip Show Garden, Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 6ER. Mid-April to the end of May; Wed and Thurs; 2-5pm. Tel: +44 (0)1494 762888. www.cheniesmanorhouse.co.uk G Constable Burton Hall, Leyburn, N.Yorks DL8 5LJ. Show Garden open from mid-April, with a special tulip festival from 1-3 May. Tel: +44 (0)1677 450428. www.constableburtongardens.co.uk
NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES:

G Hanbury Hall, nr Droitwich, Worcs WR9 7EA. Tulips in 18th-century garden. Tel: +44 (0)1527 821214. www.nationaltrust.org.uk G Lanhydrock, Bodmin, Cornwall PL30 5AD. Tulips flowering during April and May in the formal gardens. Tel: +44 (0)1208 265950. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
GLORIOUS GARDENS
WILTSHIRE
Attention to detail
This young garden has a mature personality, colour and confidence, thanks to the rigorous selection and prodigious talent of its fashion buyer owner
PHOTOGRAPHS HEATHER EDWARDS WORDS JEAN VERNON
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Priory House garden near Bath is a small but perfectly formed plot with colourful spring and summer borders, and wellplanned-out proportions.
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LEFT,TOP TO BOTTOM Double pink Aquilegia Spring Magic Rose and Ivory; Tulipa Abu Hassan; Wisteria brachybotrys . ABOVE Jennys back garden is southeast facing, laid to lawns and beds with Murasaki-kapitan; Clematis Early Sensation a large pergola. OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The plot to the front of the Georgian house; red and pink tulips with aquilegia; Tulipa Dreamland and Sorbet with camassias; wisteria and roses climb over the pergola.
ou never get a second chance to make a then its another third to the bottom of the garden. first impression, so its just as well that the Every plant has been chosen specifically to play a first glimpse of the garden at Priory House, part in the carefully orchestrated design. The herbaceous near Bath, is so captivating, and only a border has been planned so that there is rhythm in tiny taste of so much more in store. The the planting. I do a lot of mirror-image planting - the ground before the Georgian faade showcases formal herbaceous border works because it is a mirror image, beds edged with box, overflowing with exquisite spring- and when you look around the garden you can see how flowering bulbs and pretty herbaceous perennials in a this other third is a mirror image of that, and so on. I fine tapestry of colour, texture and contrast. The neatly love symmetry. Thats why I love Georgian houses. clipped low hedges are punctuated with rich green When it comes to plants, Jenny takes no prisoners. box cones. Its a facsimile, an interpretation of one of If they dont perform or simply dont live up to the windows in the drawing room, says owner and expectations, they are unceremoniously dug up. gardener Jenny Woodall. Its a challenge for me to create a scheme, she says, The whole garden and it never reaches links closely with the Its a challenge to create, and never reaches perfection. I always try architecture of the house to improve. I garden perfection. Im always trying to improve it and proves Jennys eye with colour; colour is for colour and style, which has always served her well in my starting point, and if I have a plant that isnt quite her career as a fashion buyer for John Lewis. With no the right colour, and it doesnt quite tone with its next formal training in horticulture, but a profound appreciation neighbour, then out it comes, and I find something else and love of gardens, she has perfected a captivating and where the two plants work together. I am not very good enchanting garden that not only complements her period with anything that has an untidy habit either. I am a bit home, but also emphasises an intuitive understanding of of a control freak with my plants. perspective, colour and design. Jenny plans out everything, spending her evenings The success of this space lies not only in the looking through gardening books. If Im not absolutely simple proportions that Jenny has used to great effect, certain about what I want to plant in a particular spot, but also her clever use of repetition, symmetry and style. I will go through all my books again looking for Its all been done quite mathematically, she says. whatever it is that I particularly need or something Its a feeling I have without knowing why I am doing that will suit that situation. it. All I can say is that its a third to the edge of the With such dedication to detail, its no surprise that this terrace and then its a third to the end of the lawn and garden looks fantastic throughout the year, but in spring
GLORIOUS GARDENS
WILTSHIRE
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GLORIOUS GARDENS
WILTSHIRE
OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Jenny keeps her garden neat and tidy, with perfect border edges; Rosa , pale pink poppies and Cirsium rivulare Atropurpureum delight in one Felicia; delphiniums, Aconitum Stainless Steel of the beds. ABOVE Priory House itself was the starting point for Jennys design. RIGHT,TOP TO BOTTOM Rosa gallica Versicolor; Iris Master Touch; Astrantia Roma; close-up of a blue delphinium flower.
and summer especially, it really performs for its many older years, including two magnificent tulip trees, visitors, who come to see it under the NGS. In late a large magnolia and a dramatic flowering cherry that spring, the tulips add spice to the already burgeoning carpets the garden with white blossom in spring. The borders, and then by summer the swathes of herbaceous house and garden are within a conservation area, so perennials throughout the garden and drapes of roses the trees cannot be pruned without consent. Anything on the pergola are simply breathtaking. In the open more than 2m tall, and we have to get the conservation season, there are plenty of plant combinations for officer in to see whether I can chop it down. Even visitors to admire and try to emulate. things that are not really beautiful, you have to ask The challenge of opening and making sure the garden permission for here. Because of this Jenny has had is neat and tidy keeps Jenny busy, but she still finds time to work around some plants that she might not to visit other gardens and flower shows. Im inspired by have kept, given the choice. other peoples gardens, she says. I love Sissinghurst, Its a challenge that keeps her on her toes, but one especially the anticipation of walking from one garden that she obviously thrives on, as she is continuously room to another, and working on new ideas with each one having Looking at the established borders, it is hard and evolving different a completely different parts of the garden. to believe that this is such a young garden theme and feeling of It will keep me out atmosphere. Ive tried to design this garden with various of mischief for the next 20 years, she laughs. My sections, but because its a small garden its quite difficult; husband does always worry about what the next project there isnt the space to plant great yews. But once will be. He can breathe a sigh of relief, however, because everything has grown, I hope you cant see all of the I have actually run out of space! garden in one look, and youll need to walk around it to see the different aspects of it. Priory House, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1LH. Looking at the immaculate lawn and established The garden is open for the NGS on 18 April and 1 August, borders, it is hard to believe that this is such a young 2-5.30pm, with teas and homemade cakes on offer. Find garden. Jenny and her husband Tim moved here just out more at www.ngs.org.uk six years ago, when the land at the back of the house It is also open for The Secret Gardens of Bradford on Avon belonged to a neighbour. The current back garden was on 30 May and 27 June, 2-6pm. For information, visit designed and planted more recently, only over the past www.bradfordonavon.co.uk four years, after they purchased the extra land. Turn over for garden notebook Several mature trees give the garden an essence of
GLORIOUS GARDENS
WILTSHIRE
The notebook
Priory House garden in Bradford on Avon covers two-thirds of an acre. It has good, friable soil, mostly acidic but with pockets of alkaline. The garden is in a conservation area PESTS WATCH OUT
Jenny keeps a healthy population of slugs and snails at bay, as walls and hedges (below) provide shelter for these voracious pests. But last year I made a small wildlife pond, and we had huge numbers of tadpoles, so presumably they have grown into frogs and ought to have been out working for me now!
PICTURE PERFECT PERGOLA

The herbaceous borders are delineated with a striking pergola that is clothed in summer climbers (above). It helps divide the garden creatively and adds depth
TULIP CHOICES
Jenny plants hundreds of tulips every year, such as dark Abu Hassan and orange Prinses Irene (above). I now plant the violet tulip Van der Neer and T. Apricot Beauty right through the garden. In one section Im adding Uncle Tom, deep maroon red ones. In the borders, Ill add a colour that picks up whats already in those beds.
and structure to the design. I wanted to go upwards, says Jenny, and so the pergola that runs round the garden has helped to break it up into areas, and once the roses have grown and become much more luxurious they help to make barriers.
CONTACTS
MAIL ORDER PLANTS
Jenny buys most of her plants by mail order from perennial specialists, including: G Beth Chatto Mail Order Plants, Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7DB. Tel: +44 (0)1206 822007 . www.bethchattoshop.co.uk G Claire Austin, Edgebolton, Shawbury, Shropshire SY4 4EL. Tel: +44 (0)1939 251173. www.claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk G Irises from Cayeux, La Carcaudire, 45500 Poilly-les-gien, France. Tel: +33 238 670 508. www.iris-cayeux.com
OWNER JENNY WOODALL S HINTS AND TIPS

G I like planting in threes and fives, but Ive been planting in fours recently, in diamonds, because when planting in fives, well... where do you put that last plant? G Im quite strict with the plants: they have to stand upright and fit the design in my head. I avoid sprawling unruly plants. One of the things I really make myself do is support everything. G In April, I cut my sedums down so they dont grow quite so tall and collapse outwards. With sharp secateurs, I reduce them down to two buds. G I like to label everything because it reminds me of what things are, and because Ive got a lot of things here and sometimes I cant remember what Ive planted, especially in the winter. G Labels are for the visitors and me. I think theres nothing more irritating than going to a garden and theres nobody about to ask.
NURSERIES
G A La Carte Daylilies, Little Hermitage, St Catherines Down, Near Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 2PD. Tel: +44 (0)1983 730512. www.alacartedaylilies.co.uk G Mead Nursery, Brokerswood, Near Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4EG. Tel: +44 (0)1373 859990. www.themeadnursery.co.uk G Pan-Global Plants, The Walled Garden, Frampton Court, Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire GL2 7EX. Tel: +44 (0)1452 741641. www.panglobalplants.com
Into the blue

The oldest in the country, this garden and park have been neglected for many years. But a trust is now slowly breathing life back into the ancient family estate, a must-see for its amazing displays of English bluebells
PHOTOGRAPHS CAROLE DRAKE WORDS PATTI OBRIEN
GLORIOUS GARDENS
CORNWALL
o gasp with astonishment is inevitable when you enter the Enys gardens Parc Lye in May. Laid out before you is the largest stand of bluebells in all of the southwest. Its not only the extent of the show that is unique, as although gnarled trunks and spring-clad boughs of mixed woodland frame the vista, hardly a tree actually punctuates the vast field of flowers. Its certainly not a bluebell wood, and with a spread of five to seven acres, the word glade is surely inadequate - you strive to rationalise the improbable vision, as you behold a lake of serene, shimmering blue gently lapping the shores of an ancient Cornish woodland. Undisturbed since medieval times, the extraordinary display may well have kindled the passion for flowers that inspired so many generations of the Enys family. Owners of this estate since the 13th century, their garden is the oldest recorded in the county. Countless venerable specimens characterise the pleasure grounds that surround the house, including a Peruvian laurel, one of the
LEFT Something old, something blue: the magnificent sight of a carpet of bluebells is a seasonal highlight of the Enys garden. BELOW The gate that leads into Parc Lye, with bluebells and wild garlic.
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GLORIOUS GARDENS
CORNWALL
ABOVE LEFT An arched gateway leads into the Colonels garden from the bluebell-covered woodland. TOP RIGHT The now-abandoned house that has been in the Enys family since the 13th century. ABOVE RIGHT A bluebell-lined path through the grounds at Enys, which, enjoying a mild, temperate climate, allows many tender plants and trees to thrive. BELOW LEFT Wisteria buds in the flower garden.
few specimens growing in England today, and a Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba), said to be the tallest outside of Kew Gardens. Other status symbols of bygone eras endure, including a weathered 12th-century Cornish cross, hugely fashionable in 1848 when it was exchanged with the vicar of Sancreed for a cartload of things. Another treasure, now 200 years old, the Camellia japonica Alba Plena, was once so desirable it commanded 50 guineas (two years wages to the gardener that dug the hole). Its snow-white double blooms still grace the flower garden each spring, despite the glasshouse that was erroneously built to protect it having disintegrated long ago. Early last century, the plant collection here
burgeoned to more than 1,000 species as J.D. Enys, an inveterate traveller, sent home specimens and seed from his exploits in New Zealand. He was the first to introduce the Chatham Island forget-me-not (Myosotidium hortensia). A native of that islands shores, special care is needed to keep the clumps happy in a British garden. The gardeners today incorporate sand into the soil to make it more free draining, and mulch the top with seaweed to feed and protect it. With a new world order established by two world wars, the estates fortunes and labour force fell into swift decline. A girls school briefly rented the house after the Second World War. When they left, Miss Enys (who had moved into the gardeners cottage) locked
TOP LEFT The parkland, known as Parc Lye, is believed to be undisturbed since medieval times, and contains many ancient trees. ABOVE LEFT The lake is edged with bog primulas in pinks and whites. ABOVE RIGHT Part of the Enys estate, the old farmyard lies derelict and is now colonised by wild native plants. BELOW RIGHT Our native English bluebell is recognised by its distinctive arching stem, while invasive Spanish bluebells have an upright habit.
the doors a final time, and took down the sign at the entrance to the drive. The estate fell into a deep, long sleep. For six whole decades barely a human mark was etched. The ghost of a house became colonised by bats, the trout ponds by otters, and the garden by foxes, badgers and ever more birds. Meanwhile, less resilient plants perished, and wild flowers, Rhododendron ponticum and common laurel invaded. Its like a lost world, says Jane Spray, a descendent of the family who helps direct the Enys Trust, set up in 2002 to guide the garden into the future. Strolling through the pleasure grounds, between typically Cornish magnolias, camellias and azaleas, carpeted with bluebells, celandine and wild
garlic, we pause for a moment for her to crush a leaf from the immense Peruvian laurel (Laurelia sempervirens) and enjoy its bayeucalyptus scent. She gestures with pride towards a champion Osmanthus heterophyllus Variegatus (twice the size you might expect) and a 16m-tall mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa), before we head off towards the flower gardens romantic enclosure. The horn of a boat booms, presumably from Falmouth, causing us to look up, over the parkland, into countryside. I realise that theres not a building or a road to be seen - 21stcentury Britain seems totally remote - and how amazingly tranquil this garden is. Jane admits, though, that whats lacking here is the human element, both labour force
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ABOVE LEFT Wisteria arches over a fern seat in the flower garden. TOP RIGHT The flower garden features a mix of shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants - and, of course, bluebells. BOTTOM LEFT A metal pergola frames a central path, where tulips are planted for spring colour and a mature spreading acer provides a longer season of interest.
and people to appreciate the beauty, but sensitively restored to oases of floriferous of primulas to extend the ribbon that lines it is a matter of keeping visiting numbers beauty; New Zealand plantings are reinstated a path along the ponds, and he leads guided down. An odd wish for an open garden, in several areas; and 4,000 snakeshead tours. It has given me so much pleasure, he but one that Danielle Dixon, the head says. When you walk into some gardens, fritillary bulbs have been put into a lawn. gardener, understands perfectly. There is a In a handy stroke of luck, Barry Champion, youre frightened to step on the grass, but relaxed feeling here, she says. We dont the newly retired head gardener of the here its very relaxed - just lovely. want it to become Enys Garden Trust, St too commercialised When you walk into some gardens, youre frightened to step Gluvias, nr Penryn, and prissy. There is on the grass, but here its very relaxed and just lovely Cornwall TR10 9LB. little chance that Tel: +44 (0)1872 will happen while she has just one other paid helper, but with National Trusts famous Trelissick garden, 274536. The garden and tea rooms are open from a dedicated band of volunteers, it is amazing instantly fell in love with Enys on a visit. April to September on Tuesdays and Thursdays, what this real live wire can achieve. The This garden needs to be nurtured, he says, and the first Sunday of the month; 2-4pm. There invasive thugs have been whacked with thats why I find it so attractive. Barry is will be a charity open day on 9 May; 11-4pm. verve and determination; the flower garden now a volunteer, contributing immense Daily openings for the Bluebell Festival: 2-8 May, and walled scented garden have been knowledge as well as propagating hundreds 2-4pm. www.enystrust.org.uk
GLORIOUS GARDENS
CORNWALL
The notebook
Enys Garden covers between 30 and 40 acres, and has acidic clay soil. It comprises woodland plantings with ponds and flower gardens, old farm buildings and even a fascinating Victorian hydraulic system MANAGING THE MASSES
If you want bluebells to spread, make sure the seed has dropped before you cut the spent stems and foliage. To contain them within clumps (which will grow bigger but not spread), cut the stems as soon as the flowers fade.
DANIELLES TIPS FOR BLUEBELLS FROM SEED

G Buy English bluebell seed from a reputable company so you dont end up with hybrids of the super-invasive Spanish bluebell (which is larger and slightly paler). G Sow in autumn in soil enriched with leafmould, and put in a cold frame. G Ensure the seed remains cold and moist for at least two months, as it requires stratification before germinating in spring. G The next autumn, plant the bulbs 8cm deep. They should flower for you within two years.
VIEWS IN THE SUN

One of the first projects for restoration, the summerhouse (below), was rebuilt with timber from the estate. It has far-reaching views over the surrounding parkland and beyond. Danielle Dixon plans to make the most of the suntrap around it by replacing cottagey Geranium macrorrhizum and foxgloves with exotics like agave and aeonium.
CONTACTS
GARDENS NEARBY
G Lamorran Gardens, Upper Castle Road, St Mawes, Cornwall TR2 5BZ. Tel: +44 (0)1326 270800. www.lamorrangardens.co.uk G Penjerrick House, Budock, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5ED. Tel: +44 (0)1872 870105. www.penjerrickgarden.co.uk G Trengwainton Garden, Madron, Penzance, Cornwall TR20 8RZ. Tel: +44 (0)1736 363148. www.nationaltrust.org.uk G Trevarno Country Estate Garden, Crowntown, Cornwall TR13 0RU. Tel: +44 (0)1326 574274. www.trevarno.co.uk
FAVOURITE NURSERIES
BLUEBELL COMPANIONS
In a wild garden, primroses make an earlier spring display, then ramsons (wild garlic) bloom white to contrast with the blue (above). In a more formal setting, try white bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectablis Alba) or late spring bulbs such as pheasants-eye narcissus or tulips like Queen of Night, White Truimphator and, for maximum colour, Texas Flame.
G Burncoose Nurseries, Gwennap, Redruth, Cornwall TR16 6BJ. Tel: +44 (0)1209 860316. www.burncoose.co.uk G Duchy of Cornwall Nursery Plants, Cott Road, Lostwithiel, Cornwall PL22 0HW. Tel: +44 (0)1208 872668. www.duchyofcornwallnursery.co.uk G Hardy Exotics Nursery, Gilly Lane, Whitecross, Penzance, Cornwall TR20 8BZ. Tel: +44 (0)1736 740660. www.hardyexotics.co.uk
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SPOTLIGHT
Focus on... Cornwall

We take a trip to the southwest this month to visit tearooms, an elegant hotel with a twist, and stately home gardens
HAVE A BLEND IN BUDE

The award-winning Rectory Farm Tearooms in the hamlet of Morwenstow, near Bude, offers cream teas and a varied menu using locally sourced, home-cooked produce. Choose from a delicious variety of cakes, soups, quiches, chutneys, Cornish pasties, cheese, jam and fish caught fresh from local waters, not to mention a special menu for gluten-, wheat- and dairy-free diets, catering for everyones needs. Enjoy the large range of loose leaf teas, with The Rectorys own house blend, Smugglers Choice, supplied from local tea specialists Camellia Budd and Tregothnan Garden, the first tea plantation in Cornwall. The tearooms are only a 10-minute walk from the cliffs, offering spectacular views of the coastline. Alternatively, you can visit Hawkers Hut and the Church of St John the Baptist, which dates back to the 9th century. Tel: +44 (0)1288 331251. www.rectorytearooms.co.uk
DELUXE GARDEN HOLIDAYS BY THE SEA

The Nare Hotel in Truro is an elegant country house providing a superb hotspot for a classic English summer holiday by the sea, as well as a retreat for quiet getaway breaks during spring, autumn and winter. The hotel hosts fantastic short garden breaks from February to May every year, to local gardens including Tregothnan, Caerhays, Glendurgan and Trewithen. April and May bring spring bulbs, rhododendrons and azaleas, while June and July offer bright displays of hydrangeas, agapanthus and summer planting. The package comprises four nights accommodation, dinner, breakfast, early morning tea, afternoon cream tea and tickets to three gardens of your choice. Carne Beach, Veryan, Truro, Cornwall TR2 5PF . Tel: +44 (0)1872 501111 or visit www.narehotel.co.uk
With over 70 open gardens, Cornwall really is the garden capital of the world. Our mild sub-tropical climate nurses unique species of plants, trees and flowers that you would normally have to tread on foreign soils to find
Julia Cox, Gardens of Cornwall www.gardensofcornwall.com
COTEHELE HOUSE/NTPL - ANDREW BUTLER SPRING FLOWER SHOW/CHARLES FRANCIS COMPILED BY/VICTORIA KINGSBURY
RIVER DEEP AT COTEHELE

Lose yourself in the valley garden at Cotehele House. It has a medieval stewpond, dovecote, thousands of daffodils, an upper garden at the top of the Prospect Tower, and orchards planted with local apples and cherries. Complete your day by visiting the discovery centre, which tells the story of the Tamar Valley, followed by a relaxing boat trip on the River Tamar. The house is open 13 Mar-31 Oct, SatThurs, 11am-4.30pm.The garden is open all year from 10am until dusk. St Dominic, Nr Saltash, Cornwall PL12 6TA.Tel: +44 (0)1579 351346. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
SPRING STARTS AT BOCONNOC

Be sure to keep your diary free on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 April for Cornwalls Garden Society Spring Flower Show, held in the beautiful surroundings of the Boconnoc Estate, near Lostwithiel. Featuring colourful camellias, daffodils, rhododendrons, ornamental shrubs and trees, as well as displays on several of the countys best known gardens, were certain youll have a fantastic day. Boconnoc Estate, Lostwithiel, Cornwall PL22 0RG. For more information, tel: +44 (0)1209 714488. www.cornwallflowershow.co.uk
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The English Garden 49
GLORIOUS GARDENS
SOMERSET
The pergola at Watcombe is clothed in four different types of wisteria, and leads down to a small, peaceful ornamental pond.
A secret no more
Behind high walls and closed gates, this outstanding garden never got to show its true colours to the world, a crying shame now rectified by its new owners open-door policy
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PHOTOGRAPHS MARK BOLTON WORDS STEPHANIE MAHON
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ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT The Owens have many fruit trees throughout the garden; Wisteria , floribunda Violacea Plena a double variety, is just one of the five kinds here; Iris sibirica; Paeonia lemoinei Souvenir de Maxime Cornu . BELOW Watcombes garden features unusual topiary and great specimens such as this Cornus controversa Variegata , on left.
aphne du Maurier, perhaps, could not have imagined it better. Her blend of intrigue, melancholy and redemption would have perfectly suited the tale of Watcombe, a house and garden not far from Banwell Castle in Somerset. Its story has all the makings of a captivating, if tragic, page-turner, ending with a message of hope and charity. It would be a book about a sheltered, unknown wonderland, the result of a pure and consuming dedication, finally revealed to all to be admired and enjoyed. The present owners, Peter and Ann Owen, probably dont see the case as quite so dramatic and romantic, but they were instantly taken over by the place when they went to view it nine years ago. The estate agent opened the tall wooden gates and we walked through, admits
Ann, and that was it. I didnt even need to see the house. We bought the house because of the garden. This sentiment would be no surprise if expressed by avid hardened gardeners, but the Owens, though not without green-fingered impulses, had never gardened on quite this scale before. They had always had a garden, but this is a whole different thing. Now, they own a National Garden Scheme garden, a creature that demands as much hard work and attention as it gives joy and satisfaction. This transition from being people who like to garden to people who garden full-time was eased by the then gardener, Danny Webber, who continued his weekly visits to Watcombe until two years ago, and his brotherin-law, Jon Saunders, the present gardener, who had also worked on the garden before, for the previous owner. With such steady heads and hands guiding the Owens,
taking on Watcombes grounds was not as frightening and overwhelming as it might have been. A garden of many rooms, set in a mostly classical, formal style with Arts & Crafts influences, its proportions and scale are welcomingly human sized; its lines and features assured and restful. There is always much to do here, whatever the time of year, and plenty of interest in every season. In spring, however, it really comes into its own with masses of bulbs and blossom through every vista. The statuary, hedges and walls, topiary, lime walk and hornbeam alle, ponds and paths and pergolas all offer a strong structure, but this is beautifully balanced with soothing complementary planting and pleasing pockets of unexpected abandon. The original layout and landscaping were designed by the previous owners, a family who had bought the house
in 1937. The garden was created from surrounding plots of land bought piecemeal, as they became available. This is the reason for the rooms - an accidental side effect of buying the garden in parts, though while walking around you never question that it was a purposeful design choice. The family consisted of a couple and their daughter. They became known locally for their exceptionally private ways. Nobody ever saw the garden because of the high walls and large wooden gates, says Peter. The daughter lived here all her life. She never had a job, or got married. Her life was spent looking after her parents, and the garden. It was a bit of a tragedy, actually. She must have been quite content with it, though, says Ann. Jon told us that he used to arrive to find rows and rows of plants lined up, ready to go in. She put everything into the garden - it was her whole world.
ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum Pink Beauty; Wisteria floribunda Rosea; an aquilegia; the blossom of Malus domestica Crawley Beauty . BELOW The lime walk in sping with Narcissus Cheerfulness and Mount Fuji , suggested by the Owens friend Don Barnes, who wrote the book Daffodils.
GLORIOUS GARDENS
SOMERSET
When she sold Watcombe to the Owens, she told them of her plans to move to the south of France and create her own Mediterranean garden, uninfluenced by her parents. She died, however, before realising that dream. We went to her funeral, says Ann, and what we found sad was that the only people there were her gardeners, builders that had worked for her, the man who rented the field opposite, and six members of her legal team. The social incapacities or unwillingness that led to this heartbreaking end yet do good, by illuminating the rewards she reaped in the internal world of her garden, created and tended as fully as if it were kith, kin and career in one. It now becomes her legacy, the lasting mark and memory of what mattered most to her. Unable to keep such a work of art and lifetimes toil to themselves, Peter and Ann were eager to open up the garden and share Watcombe with the world. They took down the tall wooden gates - That was such a shock to people, says Peter. Soon, locals were wandering past at a very slow pace, rubbernecking at the inside of the place that had for so long been a locked-down enigma. When we opened for the NGS for the first time, they were queuing to come in! exclaims Ann. They were all dying
to have a look, and now they come back year after year. Some of their friends in the village have formed a team of helpers for open days, an absolute necessity when offering walkabouts, teas and cakes, and selling plants to visitors. Theres more to opening a garden than anyone ever thinks, says Ann, having it looking good on the day, the time it takes to organise, making the plants and the food. In spite of the tough schedule, this couple couldnt put Watcombe back behind closed doors, and feel a real responsibility to let others in to experience it. As with all the best gardens, they dont even feel it is entirely theirs - rather, in their care, and actually owned by the hearts of the many visitors who fall for its charms, an entity unto itself, to be shared, after so many years in a solitary shroud. A real secret garden, now ready to be discovered. Watcombe, Church Rd, Winscombe, Somerset BS25 1BP. Tel: +44 (0)1934 842666. Open for the NGS Sun 25 April and 16 May, and Wed 9 June; 2-5.30pm. Visitors also welcome by appt April to August. www.ngs.org.uk
OPPOSITE A path from the Neoclassical summer house to the door of the vegetable garden is lined with white tulips and Tulipa Ballerina in spring. BELOW LEFT The one-armed bandit statue is a perfect focal point across the pond at the end of the pleached hornbeam alle. BELOW RIGHT Red-flowered Crinodendron hookerianum welcomes at the door to the greenhouse path.
Turn over for garden notebook
Nobody ever saw the garden because of the high walls and large wooden gates... When we opened for the first time, they were queuing to come in!
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GLORIOUS GARDENS
SOMERSET
The notebook
Watcombe garden in Winscombe covers about three quarters of an acre. It is split into several rooms and includes a vegetable patch, small orchard and a glasshouse. It is mostly north facing, with neutral to alkaline soil SHAPE SHIFTERS
The garden is home to some interesting topiary forms, including this stepped peacock on the front terrace (below). Many of the more ambitious shapes are supported in places by wire, and clipped annually.
EDIBLE WALLS
Some of the rooms are separated with not walls, but espaliered fruit trees such as this Malus domestica
CACTUS CORNER
A section of the glasshouse is taken up by Peters cacti (above) - an accidental hobby collection started by a gift and now added to by friends and visitors. The glasshouse is also home to overwintering plants and pots of seedlings.
Discovery (above). This is a perfect way to have a boundary that also provides interest through the year with blossom and leaf, and then a scrumptious edible reward come autumn.
CONTACTS
OTHER GARDENS IN SOMERSET
G Badgers Acre One acre NGS garden with colour-
GARDEN CAUSE
Plant sales on open days at Watcombe go to the Owens chosen charity, the Alzheimers Society. Having lost people to the disease, both Peter and Ann feel strongly about supporting the Society, and have found that people often buy plants or give more when they find out what the cause is.
themed borders, shade lovers, pond, rockery and potager. Visitors by appt 1 April to 31 Aug. Stone Allerton BS26 2NW. Tel: +44 (0)1934 713159. G Montacute House Formal gardens with roses, mixed borders and sculpted hedges. Montacute, Somerset TA15 6XP . Tel: +44 (0)1935 823289. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
SPECIALIST NURSERY
G Chew Valley Trees Ornamental trees, shrubs, hedging and fruit trees. Winford Rd BS40 8HJ. Tel: +44 (0)1275 333752. www.chewvalleytrees.co.uk
TIPS FROM JON, ANN AND PETER

G When you move to a new garden that is established, wait a while before taking things out. We waited almost two years, and were rewarded with five different tree peonies and four types of wisteria, among others. It was great fun because things just kept on appearing! G Go to visit lots of other gardens, because you will always learn something. G Dont be afraid to prune things. We have to be quite brutal with some plants in our garden, such as Acer negundo Flamingo and Lespedeza thunbergii Summer Beauty, and must really hack them back. G We have problems with slugs in many areas of the garden. To help save clematis, we create a collar from a plastic pot with the base cut out, place it over the new growth, and put some slug pellets inside. G Annuals are valuable colourful additions to beds, and we love schizanthus, poor mans orchid.
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DESIGN GUIDE
PLANTING
JEKYLL GENIUS
Hidden away in the woods of Surrey, Vann is a design gem, which Gertrude Jekyll helped to plant and generations of the same family have gardened
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PHOTOGRAPHS MARIANNE MAJERUS WORDS JACKIE BENNETT
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DESIGN GUIDE
PLANTING
ited down winding lanes in the wooded backwaters of Surrey, Vann is a timberframed 16th-century farmhouse. Its origins go back to Domesday, and its magical enough in its own way, but for anyone interested in landscapes and gardening, the really interesting part of its history begins in 1907, when W. D. Care bought it and added wings in the Arts & Crafts style of the day. Everyone who visits asks owner Mary Care the same question: Is it Lutyens? The answer is no - the renovation of the house and the layout of the garden were all down to W. D., a successful architect. The great plantswoman Gertrude Jekyll was a neighbour (she is known to have worked in more than 150 gardens in Surrey). Mary suspects that it was through word of mouth that W. D. invited her to Vann. The only evidence is in the plant records, which show that she brought 1,500 plants from her own nursery at Munstead Wood for the water garden in 1912, says Mary. The field pond that forms the heart of the water gardens is natural, and Jekyll developed an area below it to create waterfalls, bridges, banks and pools, which were all planted with her well-known palette of plants
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Garden profile
PLACE Vann, Hambledon, Godalming,
Surrey GU8 4EF . Tel +44 (0)1428 683413. Open for NGS, 5 April, 2-6pm; and 6-11 April, 2-9 May and 6-13 June, 10am-6pm. www.vanngarden.co.uk
DESIGNER Garden layout by W. D.

Care (1909). Gertrude Jekyll designed and planted the water garden (1912)
SIZE Five acres STYLE Woodland and water gardens

with more formal areas of hedging and herbaceous planting around the Tudor and Arts & Crafts house.
such as ferns, hellebores, leucojums and Darmera peltata. Above the pond, a rill leads through the yew walk, a Care design. Despite the fact that the details of the rills construction, such as the dry stone walling and on-edge tile bridges, are very Jekyll-esque, the only existing drawing for this feature was done by W . D. The old garden, which is a courtyard formed by the original house and
the 1907 extension, is a pretty area with original brick paths that have stood the test of time. The garden has been developed by Mary and her husband Martin, W . D.s grandson and the third generation of Care architects. The couple came to Vann in 1969, and were the first people to live in it full time. From 1948, the land had been used as a market garden and nursery. We worked on it piecemeal, clearing areas and then planting up what we thought we could manage, says Mary. This process still continues today - nothing stands still in this historic garden. The yew walk, for example, had been planned as a rose garden, but Mary and Martin replaced the roses with foliage plants. They also cut out three large island beds in the open grass of the orchard, and created new double herbaceous borders. Jekyll would doubtless have approved of the white garden, which begins the year with snowdrops, hellebores, narcissi and fritillaries. Spirea, viburnum and late philadelphus create the shrub cover. But just in case the great lady should overshadow the original architect and owner, last year a Centenary Garden was planted to commemorate W . D. Care and his arrival at Vann.
ILLUSTRATION /NEIL GOWER
Natural pathways
Vann is a garden that invites strolling, with meandering paths that lead around the house, through the orchard and down to the ponds and wild areas.
YEW WALK In spring, the rill almost disappears beneath clouds of aquilegia and euphorbia (above). Clipped mounds of yew stand sentinel on either side and visitors can walk the grassy paths beside the tall yew hedges, laid out in 1911 by W. D. Care. THE ORCHARD The grass is left long beneath the fruit trees (left), which include plums, pears and Sturmer Pippin apples. A wide mown path is easy to maintain and good for access.
Gertrude Jekyll made pathways in the local Bargate stone to wind through her favourite plant combinations
THE BOUNDARY Looking out from the wood into the Surrey countryside, beech hedges, a picket fence and two upright beech trees frame the view (above). THE OLD GARDEN Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii straddles the original brick path and the L -shaped beds are defined by clipped yew hedges and blocks of headheight hornbeams (right). THE WATER GARDEN Pathways made by Gertrude Jekyll in 1912 using the local Bargate sandstone wind through her favourite plant combinations: ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris), hellebores and Darmera peltata (above). Many of her choices, such as the darmera and heliotrope, have proved to be rampant and need to be kept under control.
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Santolina is a plant used throughout the garden, wherever a mound of soft, silvery grey-green foliage is needed. It has the added benefit of being aromatic and can be clipped into rounded mounds.
Yucca gloriosa, a Jekyll favourite, gives a bold focus to the border and contrasts with the frothy planting around.
Forget-me-nots are something of a signature plant at Vann and are allowed to form colonies. When they do get a bit exuberant, they are easy to uproot.
Alliums thrive in the neutral soil and make strong upright forms on the sunny side of the border.
DESIGN GUIDE
PLANTING The mown path is kept trimmed and is wide enough to allow two visitors to walk side by side. Bergenias are great garden stalwarts. They can be planted on the edges of beds as their rounded leaves provide ground cover for most of the year and have lovely autumn tints. Left to grow long, the orchard grass has plenty of natural seedheads. It will be cut down in July when the grasses have had time to set seed. Meadow species thrive among the grass including field buttercups, cow parsley and Cardamine pratensis.
L
The island beds

When the Cares moved to live at Vann full time, much of the garden had been used as a nursery and market garden. The vast areas of ground that had once been in production needed to be refigured to a more garden-like scale, so three substantial island beds were cut out of the grass and planted with trees, shrubs and perennials. This one nearest the yew walk still looks in great shape, despite the fact that island beds fell out of favour in the latter part of the 20th century. Paths mown through the long grass give it a 21st-century twist and the planting has been changed over the years.
DESIGN GUIDE
PLANTING
Shady wetland plants

Gertrude Jekylls list for the water garden still survives, but has been amended and added to over the years.The area gets lots of shade from tall oaks and beech trees.The soil is neutral.
BLUE NOTES Surrey is one of the most wooded counties in England, and a good place to see bluebells growing in gardens and in the wild. Here, Mary Care has grouped them around the base of an old acer (above). BESIDE THE STREAM Hostas, pulmonarias and ostrich ferns are some of the main components of this planting on the bank of the stream (left), covering the ground very effectively.
Surrey is one of the most wooded counties in England and a good place to see bluebells, in gardens and in the wild
DESIGNER PROFILE
G Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) is best known for the gardens she designed in collaboration with architect Edwin Lutyens. Active throughout the Arts & Crafts movement, she worked on some 400 gardens, introducing her particular style of colour-coordinated planting. Hestercombe and Barrington Court in Somerset are well-known Jekyll gardens, but she also worked at 150 private gardens in her home county of EVER UPWARDS Mary has planted gunnera beside the water (above), where the extensive leaf canopy makes a striking feature as the season progresses. Beneath it, the jagged leaves of Rheum palmatum are equally as eye catching. GREEN AND WHITE The fresh new fronds of Matteuccia struthiopteris mingle with the white flower heads of wild garlic (right). Surrey, including Vann. Mary Care is chairman of the Surrey Gardens Trust, which is cataloguing these gardens, where Jekyll carried out hard landscaping as well as planting. Copies of her drawings are held in Godalming Museum. For more information on Jekyll, her gardens and drawings, go to www.waverley.gov.uk or www.surreygardenstrust.co.uk
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The English Garden
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DESIGN BOOK
PLANTING
LEFT Tulips add contrasting seasonal colour to this yellow and green scheme. BELOW Rhododendrons are perfect for acid soils, introducing colour and interest to a May garden - azaleas, camellias and acers also thrive in these conditions.
PLANTING
POINTERS
LEFT/ANDREW DUFF RIGHT/JOHN CAMPBELL
Designing your own planting scheme is exciting, says Andrew Duff, garden design director at the Inchbald School, and offers the potential to change your garden when you want
he really wonderful thing about planting is that you can constantly change it. I use my own garden to try out new plants and different planting styles - it keeps the garden fresh, and also means that I am not practising on my clients. At the beginning of a new planting project, the first thing to establish is what you actually want out of your planting. You are basically creating a brief. While you may have created a brief for the design of your garden, I find it helps to also set a brief for the planting. There are a number of things you need to think about. First of all, what you want the planting to do - are you after a scheme that is green, or heavily scented in the summer, or has good winter interest? Most of the answers to these questions will come from how and when you use the garden. For example, if you are using the garden in the evening, there is nothing better than the scent of a daphne or wintersweet in spring.
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DESIGN BOOK
PLANTING
TOP LEFT The soft, frothy foliage of cottage-style plants is ideal for softening path edges. ABOVE It is worth considering what plants look like when theyre not in flower - here, different foliage textures and leaf shapes work well together. TOP RIGHT Dense planting is an effective way to merge boundaries and beds together, and brings the landscape beyond into the garden to create an illustion of a bigger space. BELOW LEFT Evergreen topiary creates year-round interest in a border. Herbaceous plants and bulbs can be interspersed for seasonal interest. BELOW Prairiestyle planting is a popular, low-maintenance choice for many gardeners, providing great summer and autumn colour. BELOW RIGHT Euphorbia, a brilliant plant for borders, has a poisonous sap that can irritate the skin.
Perhaps you only use the garden in the summertime. If this is the case, a predominance of summer-flowering plants would be best. As a general rule of thumb, it is a good idea to think all year round. Most of us are put off by evergreens, but in fact they are invaluable at providing seasonal interest throughout the year. You can then punctuate this with plants that do exciting things throughout the seasons. Think also about who uses the garden - if you have children, it is particularly important to make sure that you do not have any poisonous plants. It is not just the eating of them that can cause a problem - many plants, such as euphorbia, have a very poisonous and irritable sap.
FINDING INSPIRATION
Once you have come up with this brief, you will find it much easier to start to choose your planting. Look through gardening books and magazines to help you decide what style you like. Though some of the gardens youll see appear to be very grand,
dont be put off, as most schemes can be simplified or tailored to meet the size and style of your plot. Cut out the photographs you like and stick them onto a board or into a scrap book to create a visual brief for colour, texture and form. This is a guide only - the chances are that most of the gardens youve chosen will be in different parts of the country, or indeed the world, so your soil type will not be the same. We are using these images as a guide for colour, texture and form. Next, assess what you already have in your garden or in the area to be planted. You might have an existing tree or some plants that you do not want to remove. It is best to be ruthless at this stage, otherwise you will end up with a mismatch of different plants and an incohesive scheme. Do not be afraid to move plants: most happily grow back after a severe cutting down and transplant. Some even grow better. Do not be too sentimental either and feel that you have to keep plants that were Christmas presents or gifts from friends. The next thing to think about is your soil type.
Whether you are on alkaline or acid soil will make a difference to the choice of plants you can have. For example, rhododendrons need acid soil. Alkaline soil suits lime-tolerant plants such as beech trees and Mediterranean-style plants. Look around: it is a good idea to see what grows well in your neighbours garden - its a sure indication of what will thrive in your own. Once you know what your soil type is, its generally half the plant choice removed, which makes choosing plants much simpler, as the list gets shorter.
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND
Find Inchbald School of Design at www.inchbald.co.uk
IMAGES/ANDREW DUFF
Dont be afraid to get planting. Just relax - whats the worst that can happen? A few colour clashes? Not enough height in a border? Your favourite plant being incompatible with your soil? Think of your new planting as a great opportunity to experiment, and remember that nothing you do has to stay the same forever.
Testing the waters

Would you consider a natural swimming pond in your garden? Vicky Kingsbury finds out what makes them interesting, how they work, and gets advice from those who have already taken the plunge
DESIGN FEATURES
NATURAL SWIM PONDS
LEFT Swim ponds are inspired by nature and blend well into country settings. ABOVE The ponds are versatile and each one is individually designed for its garden.
magine the scene - enjoying the summer sun with friends and family in your back garden, with the added bonus of being able to swim in the clear, fresh waters of a swimming pond, with absolutely no chemicals. Think of the incredible sense of peace and tranquillity you would feel bobbing about in the water, knowing that while you are relaxing you are also being good to the environment and kind to your skin. Inspired by nature, the swimming pond was first introduced to the UK at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show in 2001. Although still a relatively new idea in this country, it is well known and extremely popular in Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria, and is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional swimming pool. Today, the huge success of swimming ponds has spread around the world, with many now found in gardens in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. There is no fundamental difference between a swimming pool and a natural swimming pond; they are technically the same, and offer exactly the same possibilities when it comes to swimming. However, a swimming pond has the benefits of looking more natural because its surrounded by aquatic plants, while a swimming pool brings a more traditionally luxurious feature to the garden. If a swimming pond is something you have been considering, then you might be pleased to hear that only basic maintenance is required, as the ponds filtration system does almost all of the work. The skimmer or filter system will need emptying every now and then, and any leaves or pond weed on the surface water will need to be collected, but this is no different to a normal swimming pool. A pond like this is made up of two main components: the swimming area and the regeneration zone, separated by an internal wall. The regeneration zone contains plants that help purify the water, and also add nutrients and minerals, which after a swim leave your skin feeling clean, silky and smooth - unlike after a chlorinated swim.
The English Garden
THIS PAGE /LYNN KEDDIE TOP RIGHT /WOODHOUSE NATURAL POOLS
71
The right choice of aquatic plants for your pond is essential, not only for the pond but to also suit the theme of your garden. Good examples include a variety of water lilies, Phalaris arundinacea var. picta Feesey, Gunnera manicata, Caltha palustris and Pontederia cordata. Its important to cut and remove any faded foliage in the autumn to avoid the plant material rotting down in the water and unbalancing nutrients levels the following spring. A natural swimming pond is an excellent leisure spot but can also provide a home for wildlife such as frogs, toads, beetles, newts and dragonflies - but dont worry, they will have left the pond by the time the water heats up and you want to dip your toes in. Birds come close to the water to drink, while at night local bats find rich sources of food in the insects that live around the edge. If you already have a swimming pool, pond or lake, you can easily convert it into a natural swimming pond. All ponds are individually designed and have low maintenance costs. There are no attached health risks, they are educational for children and are an attractive feature all year, as they dont need cover in the winter. So whats stopping you? Get planning now for super summer swims!
STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS
G Write down any inspirations or ideas you might have for your swimming pond. G Organise a consultation with a professional swimming pond company - see our list, opposite. G Site appraisal - the company will look at factors such as boundaries, surrounding landscape, soil type, existing structures and views from the house. G A plan will be drawn up to assess the opportunities. G Design and technical proposal - this includes planting plans and specifications for the project. G The swimming pond is constructed. G A guide to maintenance will be given.
ABOVE With decking around the edge, its easy to just sit, paddle and enjoy the scenery.
CASE STUDY ONE: HAMPSHIRE - WOODHOUSE NATURAL POOLS

The Bell family live in a Georgian house with about an acre of garden. Their garden had no real water feature and was a classic 19th-century rectory garden with a parterre designed in 1868, leading to a long walk with views over the neighbours estate. One area of the garden had been infested with long-standing honey fungus, and needed to be dealt with, so it was suggested a natural swimming pond would suit the Mediterranean theme of the house and garden combined (left). We use the pond mainly between April and September, and we were advised that we couldnt have fish in a natural swimming pond, says Mr Bell. Although the pond isnt heated by anything but the sun, its amazing how summer seasons, he explains. The trickiest task is to feed the water lilies, which requires pushing the food pellet into the rootball - I normally wait until the summer to do this. Apart from that we enjoy the pond to its full potential.
TOP RIGHT /ZARA NAPIER
warm it can get - reaching around 21C, even during the past two very wet
DESIGN FEATURES
NATURAL SWIM PONDS
CASE STUDY THREE: SUFFOLK - THE SWIMMING POND COMPANY

Tim and Chris first became keen on swimming ponds when a friend cut some articles out of a magazine explaining the benefits of swimming in fresh, chemical-free water. Although they instantly warmed to the idea, they were unsure how a feature would fit into their garden. It offers stunning views of the Deben Valley in the far distance, which needed to be considered in the design. They also wanted to place the swimming pond in an area of the garden where it was going to receive a great deal of sunshine, but also have a degree of shelter from the east coast sea breeze. After realising that the swimming pond wasnt
Birds come close to the water to drink, while at night local bats find a rich source of food in the insects that live around the edge of the pond CASE STUDY TWO: HERTFORDSHIRE - GARTENART
Sacha Coles garden is unfinished and her pond is still new (below), but she has no doubts about her decision to install one. I first saw the concept in a lifestyle magazine, in an article that gave the case for natural swimming pond against conventional swimming pools. For me, there really was no contest, she says. We have an old 15th-century barn, which is listed, so we were limited in what we could do. I wanted to be able to sit and look out from the garden and see nothing unnatural. I also wanted the pond to be part of the view that flowed seamlessly from the garden to the countryside beyond. Sacha was particularly enthusiastic about swimming with plants, although a few of her friends thought she was mad, to say the least. They said it would be freezing cold and would cost a lot to keep clean and maintain, but it doesnt. Even my husband was worried to start with, but he loves it now and my children absolutely adore it. Temperature is not an issue - they just jump in, and so do I. The joy of swimming without chemicals is so refreshing.
going to sit well or look natural due to the garden sloping considerably away from the house, they decided to connect the house and garden together. The garden is now approached via steps from a raised terrace and along a boardwalk that visually divides the swimming pond in two (above left). The first time I swam in it was on Christmas day, which was a bit cold, but last summer we swam on hot and not so hot days. We also spent a lot of time with coffee or wine just quietly sitting and watching dragonflies skim the water, says Chris. I wish we had put in a swimming pond years ago. We recently visited my parents, who have a swimming pool, and it was not nearly as nice to swim in. The chemicals irritated and it was dull compared to the swimming pond, where you are surrounded by plants. Watching all the plants grow for the first time and seeing little creatures arrive is very exciting.
CONTACTS
NATURAL SWIMMING PONDS
G Anglo Swimming Ponds Strayfield Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9JE. Tel: +44 (0)20 8363 8548. www.angloswimmingponds.co.uk G GartenART Unit 7 Block C, Imperial Works, Perren St, London NW5 3ED. Tel: +44 (0)20 7183 3333. www.gartenart.co.uk G The Swimming Pond Company Carpe Diem, Common Road, Bressingham Diss, Norfolk IP22 2BD. Tel: +44 (0)1379 688000. www.theswimmingpondcompany.co.uk G Woodhouse Natural Pools Manna Ash House, 74 Common Road, Weston Colville, Cambridge CB1 5NS. Tel: +44 (0)1223 290029. www.naturalswimmingpools.com
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73
DIRECTORY
WATER FEATURES
Pond & water directory

If youve been inspired by swimming ponds, but want a smaller water feature for your garden, then take a look at our list of suppliers for fountains, features and pond equipment
ACANTHUS STONEWARE
Wimsey Way, Somercotes, Derbyshire DE55 4LS. Tel: +44 (0)1773 540704. www.acanthus-stoneware.co.uk
COULSONS BRIDGES
Broome Hill, Martens Lane, Polstead, Colchester, Essex CO6 5AQ. Tel: +44 (0)1206 262387. www.coulsonsbridges.co.uk
MIMMACK AQUATICS
Woodholme Nursery, Goatsmoor Lane, Stock, Essex CM4 9RS. Tel: +44 (0)1277 840204. www.mimmacks.co.uk
SWELL UK
Unit C, SK14 Industrial Park, Broadway, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 4QF. Tel: +44 (0)1613 514700. www.swelluk.com
ALLISON ARMOUR
Baldhorns Farm Park, Rusper, West Sussex RH12 4QU. Tel: +44 (0)1293 871575. www.allisonsgarden.com
DAVID HARBER
Blewburton Barns, Hagbourne Road, Aston Upthorpe, Oxfordshire 0X11 9EE. Tel: +44 (0)1235 859300. www.davidharbersundials.co.uk
NATURAL COLLECTION
16 Princes Park, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE11 0NF. Tel: 0845 3677003. www.naturalcollection.com
TETRA
PO Box 271, Southampton SO18 3ZX. Tel: +44 (0)23 8060 6070. www.tetra-fish.co.uk
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
Taddington Manor, Taddington, nr Cutsdean, Gloucestershire GL54 5RY. Tel: +44 (0)1386 584414. www.architectural-heritage.co.uk
THE COPPER SCULPTURE DESIGNS IN STAINLESS

Unit 2, Semley Business Park, Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 9AN. Tel: +44 (0)1747 855802. www.designs-in-stainless.co.uk
PRIVETT INTERNATIONAL
Unit 3, Little Shellwood Farm, Clayhill Road, Leigh, Surrey RH2 8PA. Tel: +44 (0)1306 611040. www.privettint.co.uk
21 Froyle Close, Allington, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0RQ. Tel: +44 (0)1622 675078. www.thecoppersculptor.co.uk
AQUAHYDROTECH
Ashbourne House, Waterperry Court, Middleton Road, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 4QG. Tel: +44 (0)1295 273676. www.aquahydrotech.com
WATERFEATURES2U REDFIELDS
Gleneagles, Main Street, Routh, Beverley, North Humberside HU17 9SL. Tel: +44 (0)1964 501988. www.waterfeatures2u.com Unit 1, Cluster Industrial Estate, Rodney, Southsea, Hampshire PO4 8ST. Tel: +44 (0)23 9287 0000. www.redfields.co.uk
DORSET WATER LILY COMPANY

Yeovil Road, Halstock, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9RR. Tel: +44 (0)1935 891668. www.dorsetwaterlily.co.uk
WATER GARDEN REDWOOD STONE

The Stoneworks, West Horrington, Wells, Somerset BA5 3EH. Tel: +44 (0)1749 677777. www.redwoodstone.co.uk 7 Warrior Business Centre, Fitzherbert Road, Farlington, Portsmouth PO6 1TX. Tel: +44 (0)2392 373735. www.water-garden.co.uk
BLAGDON WATER GARDENS

Bath Road, Upper Langford, North Somerset BS40 5DN. Tel: +44 (0)1934 853921. www.blagdonwatergardens.co.uk
FAWCETT POND LINERS

Back Lane, Longton, Preston, Lancashire PR4 5JA. Tel: +44 (0)1772 612125. www.fawcettsliners.co.uk
CHAMELEON AQUIFERS
Holloway Farm, Milton Common, Wheatley, Oxfordshire OX33 1GX. Tel: 0800 0933656. www.chameleonaquifers.co.uk
WATER GARDENING DIRECT STAPELEY WATER GARDENS

Hards Lane, Frognall, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8RP. Tel: +44 (0)1778 341199. www.watergardeningdirect.com London Road, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7LH. Tel: +44 (0)1270 623868. www.stapeleywg.com
HADDONSTONE
The Forge House, East Haddon, Northampton NN6 8DB. Tel: +44 (0)1604 770711. www.haddonstone.com
CHILSTONE
Victoria Park, Fordcombe Road, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0RD. Tel: +44 (0)1892 740866. www.chilstone.com
STEPHEN C MARKHAM
Unit 4, Dominion Works,
WORLD OF WATER
Hastings Road, Rolvenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4PL. Tel: +44 (0)1580 243333. www.worldofwater.co.uk
LANGLEYS AQUATICS
Langleys Farm, White Roding, Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 1RX. Tel: +44 (0)1279 876245. www.langleysaquaticsltd.co.uk
Freshwater Road, Dagenham, Essex RM8 1RX. Tel: +44 (0)20 8590 5619. www.stephencmarkham.co.uk
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The English Garden
GREEN ISSUES
Biodiversity
Eco-watch
T
he United Nations has designated 2010 International Year of Biodiversity to make us all more aware of the pressing need to conserve the variety of life on Earth. Currently, it says, our activities are destroying biodiversity at alarming rates. Species have been disappearing at 50-100 times the natural rate, and habitats such as forests (45% of the Earths original forests have already disappeared), coral reefs and mangrove swamps are most at risk. In the UK, we are particularly concerned about loss of woodland, traditional meadows and orchards, peat bogs, downland and wetlands as well as the 1,150 or so species that are on the list for priority conservation. This makes sobering reading, but we gardeners can make really worthwhile contributions, not just by helping with local and national conservation activities, but by trying to make our gardens as biodiverse as possible. This means minimising or better, cutting out - chemicals, and maintaining as much variety as we can. Having plenty of different kinds of flowering plants is the first thing most of us think about, but in fact non-flowering plants, such as mosses and lichens, and fungi are just as important. you to slip, the RHS recommends removal with a stiff brush or pressure hosing, or using a nonchemical seaweed-based cleaner. LICHEN OR LOVE EM Lichens - partnerships between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria - are found everywhere except the deep sea, and usually arrive in the garden without our help. Again, we should welcome them. They form the base of the food chain on a living organism such as a tree trunk. They are also remarkable indicators of air quality - the golden yellow xanthoria lichen, for example, thrives in polluted air, while elegant grey-green hypogymia will not grow where there is nitrogen pollution. The OPAL survey, which you can take part in, is currently using nine of these indicator lichens to assess air quality across England. For many gardeners, the word fungi means plant killers, such as sudden oak death and honey fungus, or annoying ones such as black spot and powdery mildew. But as Brian Spooner, head of
You may regard them as garden nuisances or worse, but mosses, lichens and fungi are important and beneficial, says Anne Gatti
mycology at Kew, points out: In a garden, as elsewhere, nothing can function without fungi, and the majority have positive and essential roles to play. Not only do microscopic ones perform the essential task of breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients both above ground and below, but at root level mycorrhizal ones give many of our ornamental plants a great kick start. The fruitbodies of many fungi are devoured by small mammals, insects and invertebrates - some 375 species of flies and midges make use of fungi in some way, while some insects use them to breed in. The best lawns for fungi, especially waxcaps, are ones that have not been improved or fertilised with nitrates or treated with moss killers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION G Mosses: www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk G Lichens: www.thebls.org.uk G Take part in the OPAL survey at: www.opalexplorenature.org G Biodiversity Action Plan: www.ukbap.org.uk
Moss in lawns seems to cause us the most hysteria, and we spend hours trying to eradicate it, when we should let it flourish
EMBRACING YOUR MOSS According to the British Bryological Society, mosses, which have no true roots and therefore should not be allowed to dry out, thrive on low soil fertility, poor drainage and shade, so gardeners with those conditions should embrace these cushioning beauties. There are 766 species in Britain, including the amazing stags horn clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum), whose spores are used to make explosive effects in the film industry. In a survey of gardens in Britain, there were an average of 27 moss species per garden, found on trees, rocks, stones, rotting wood, shrubs and lawns, with one garden having an astonishing 108 different mosses. Moss in lawns seems to cause us the most hysteria, and we spend hours trying to eradicate it, when the sensible thing to do would be to let it flourish if the conditions suit. On steps or walkways where it could cause
ILLUSTRATION/MAEVE CLANCY
The English Garden
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78
The English Garden
OTTER FARM
GROWING GRAPES
Down to a vine art

Planting a vineyard is now a possibility thanks to the changing climate, says River Cottage head gardener Mark Diacono, so harvest the manifold rewards
L
The English Garden
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C r e a t i n g y ou r o w n v i n e y a r d
Inspired by the wine I tried, and after an indecently short period of consideration, I planted a small vineyard here at Otter Farm in the spring of 2008. Its 3.5 acres, which sounds small, but after pruning 3,500 vines your hands and back will tell you otherwise.
PREVIOUS PAGE Planting a vineyard at Otter Farm is a labour of love for Mark. THIS PAGE, TOP LEFT Protect young vines from rabbits and deer. TOP RIGHT Check training wires are kept taut. ABOVE Vines need to be pruned each season and tied into the metal or wood training support.
PREVIOUS PAGE /JASON INGRAM THIS PAGE /JASON INGRAM
en years ago, Im not sure I would have even washed my car with most English wine, but now I wouldnt let you spill a drop. A bottle of Camel Valley Cornwall Brut a few years ago sparked my conversion. It sat there in the fridge for some weeks. I wasnt especially enthusiastic about trying it but a sunny day in the veg patch shouted for something cold and dry to go with the first asparagus of the year. It blew me away. None of that onedimensional over-jolliness Id had from the odd taste of English wine at a farmers market or agricultural show. This was top fizz. It got me nosy about other UK vineyards and their wines. I was stunned to find that there are now more than 400 vineyards in the UK, with more than 3,000 acres of vines, from larger vineyards (Nyetimber and Denbies each have hundreds of acres down to vines) to the smaller producers with an acre or two of grapevines. Youll be pleased to know that Ive been diligent in my research, trying many wines, and I can tell you that comparatively few of them have been downright bad, many were excellent and a good few outstanding. We make generally great sparkling wines and wonderful dry whites, some good ross and a few fine dessert wines, but Ive yet to drink a good red. I know that this will get a few producers up in arms, but I havent. And Ive tried. I find them so-so at best, and who wants to drink so-so?
VINEYARDS TIP #1 Training your vines

Metal: Pros - strong, few repairs, long lifespan. Cons - expensive, look cold until vines establish. Wood: Pros - less expensive than metal, looks good. Cons - prone to splitting, twisting, fixings need repairing more frequently, shorter lifespan.
Setting up your own vineyard is surprisingly simple. A survey of the site is vital to ensure that the soil, aspect and microclimate are suitable. Youll need to prepare the ground well in advance - this usually involves deep ploughing for drainage and rotovating the soil into a good tilth to plant into. You can do the planting by hand or employ a team who do this professionally. The prospect of a couple of us trying to plant 3,500 vines, perfectly spaced and in straight lines, scrabbling around on our knees with hand trowels, wasnt overly
appealing. We got the pros to do it. Ernst and his team were in and out in little more than a morning, leaving me staring openmouthed at what was in front of me: a vineyard of 3,500 vines planted with exactly 1.4m between vines, in rows precisely 2.2m apart, perfectly aligned north to south. An intoxicating geometry that wasnt there at breakfast time. There are other choices to be made: to train your vines on a wood or metal framework; whether to put the framework up yourself or get the pros in. And theres the wait for a
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VINEYARDS IN THE UK

G CLIMATE
CONTROL
The sliding scale of greatness is mainly to do with our climate. Generally speaking, grapes dont have to be quite so perfectly ripe to make good sparkling wine, and the better red varieties need longer on the vine in more heat than theyll usually get in the UK. These limitations magnify the further north you go - the later start to spring and the cooler temperatures cut down on the varieties you can grow, but with the right varieties and microclimate you may find you can grow grapes surprisingly far up country. There are even a couple of small vineyards in Scotland.
G USEFUL
VINEYARD TIP #2 Keep on top of pests and diseases

Choice of variety and good vineyard management helps, but it is likely youll need to spray too. Depending on where your sensibilities lie, the level of infection and the particularities of your vineyard, you can use seaweed feed, equisetum spray, garlic liquid or copper spray.
CONTACTS Courses Plumpton College, Ditchling Rd, Nr Lewes, East Sussex BN7 3AE. Tel: +44 (0)1273 890454. www.plumpton.ac.uk Consultancy and supplies Vine and Wine, 1 Putley Green, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 2QN. Tel: +44 (0)1531 670734. www.vineandwine.co.uk Soil and site survey John Buchan Tel: +44 (0)7713 632347. email: [email protected] Trellising construction Vineworks - Contact James Dodson on tel: +44 (0)7740 986617. www.vine-works.com Vine planting Ernst Weiss, Weinbergsbedarf, Eugen Weis, Hartmannstr. 29, 67487 Maikammer, Germany. Tel: +49 (0)6321 5093. www.weinbergartikelweis.de/index_en.htm
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THIS PAGE /TRACTOR PIC AND HAND BY GRAPES - JASON INGRAM PINOT NOIR GRAPE - MARK DIACONO
return: youll have at least three years until any sensible harvest, perhaps six to your first full scale one, and during that time youll be investing a little every month, usually in labour, occasionally in money. You will need to keep an eye out for the various diseases (mostly mildews) that may trouble your vines. Producing grapes does traditionally rely on pesticides and insecticides, but there are some vineyards that are growing organically and producing fabulous wine. My favourite of all UK wines comes from Will Davenports organic vineyard on the
Kent/Sussex border. His Limney Estate sparkling wine and Limney Horsmonden dry white show that growing organic vines is not only possible in the UK but that they can produce wines that are as good as these shores get. Otter Farm is certified organic, so we will be heading down that road, but Wills work encourages us and shows what can be done. As with anything from peas to apricots, your choice of grape variety will have much to say about how the wine tastes. The champagne grapes - Pinot Noir, Pinot
MAIN PICTURE It may be advisable to get help planting the vines.THIS PAGE,TOP It may take six years to get a proper full harvest. BOTTOM The Pinot Noir grape. OVER PAGE Strimming is best to cut grass near the base of vines. A tractor is an efficient way to keep on top of vegetation between rows.
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CARING FOR YOUR VINES

Lay mulch mat along the length of each row to keep the grass down in and around the vines - although youll still need to mow between the rows regularly through spring and summer. Remove all the buds that you dont want to grow into fruiting canes in spring. Vines will need pruning in winter as well as tying in to your chosen training method.
Meunier and Chardonnay - are the most planted varieties in the UK. There are more disease-resistant vines such as Seyval blanc, which are also vigorous and high yielding. Or you can skate a little nearer to the margins of viability with a choice that needs a long sunny season to ripen well. The choice is yours and depends on site, location and (as much as anything) your attitude to a gamble. At Otter Farm, weve spread our bets. Alongside the relatively reliable Seyval blanc we have other less certain varieties of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon blanc and Gewrztraminer. All need more sun than the Seyval to give us good grapes. The safer half should ensure a steady bottom line to the business, with the others offering the prospect of creating some individual and potentially unique wines if they do well. And this spring we are taking things a step further - an acre of new vines for dessert wine. Ive developed an increasingly enthusiastic taste for dessert wines, and while we produce very little of it in Britain, some are excellent.
Vineyard owners are very much a family, happy that someone else is joining in the enthusiasm
youll find a few gems. Last summer I tried wine from Court Lane Vineyard in Hampshire, which produces only 2,000 bottles a year, and it was completely delicious, thanks largely to the old vines and the owners expertise, built up over 30 years of growing grapes. Speak to people doing it: my experience is that vineyard owners are very much a family, happy that someone else is joining in the enthusiasm. And visit plenty of vineyards - Camel Valley in Cornwall (Tel: +44 (0)1208 77959), Three Choirs in Gloucestershire (Tel: +44 (0)1531 890223) and Sharpham in South Devon (Tel: +44 (0)1803 732203) are among those who offer tours, lunch and a taster of some of the best produce we have here in the UK. If you do grow your own grapes, that first harvest promises to be pretty special. You can make your own wine or, if you have a reasonable haul, talk to your local wine maker and see if theyll make the wine for you - you can even add to your harvest by buying other grapes. Whichever way, it wont be long before you have your very own bottled sunshine to enjoy. Next month: Oriental leaves and spices.
So if youre thinking of planting a vineyard, or a few vines of your own at the allotment or in your garden, or if you just fancy trying wine from our island, youve a huge choice. Try as many wines as you can. Be inquisitive and check out the smaller producers and
THIS PAGE /ALL JASON INGRAM
T a k i ng t h e p l u ng e
SEASONAL
FOOD
From the kitchen garden

Everything stops for tea, says Francine Raymond, so this Easter lay the table and enjoy a proper cup with fairy cakes and lemon curd
PHOTOGRAPHS CHARLIE COLMER
y April, with longer afternoons, there should be plenty of time for a post-meridian tea break before the light fades. Sit back and enjoy the garden, either from
summer, or rustle up a little eggy something - herby scrambled eggs on toast, a savoury leek and cheese custard or for a special Easter celebration, a bread and butter pudding made with a sliced hot cross bun, or some lovely fairy cakes (see recipe, opposite) topped with marzipan eggs, hiding another nugget baked inside for a new twist on the old favourite of Simnel cake.
a sheltered spot such as a shed or verandah, or if its still a little chilly, sit indoors gazing through the windows in
admiration of your handiwork. Whether the tea is made with real leaves (my favourite is a blend of China, Darjeeling, Assam and a little Earl Grey for that hint of smoky bergamot) brewed in a warmed pot drunk weak, or builders tea in a mug from a teabag with milk and three sugars, or an elegant home-grown herb tisane, an afternoon tea break is a civilised habit that will refresh and refuel you until suppertime. Add some toasted sandwiches spread with the jam you squirreled away in the larder during the fruity gluts of last
HIGH TIME FOR HIGH TEA

Take time to dress the table with your grandmothers old lace tablecloth, or those embroidered napkins you found at the car boot sale. Lay out pretty porcelain cups and saucers, and pick bunches of sweet-smelling narcissus or vibrant tulips from the cut-flower garden and pop them in a cut glass
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vase, and turn your welcome break into a special occasion.
Crafty ways with wood

WASHING LINE PROP
Freshly washed laundry dancing on the clothes line on a breezy spring day, imbuing your linen with sunshine, blossom and flowery scents, is the stuff that memories are made of. Loosely tie your line securely between two trees - I find fruit trees are best. Peg out your washing, then hoist it out of harms way with a sturdy hazel pole. Pick a stout branch of hazel or any sturdy stick with a fork two thirds along. Trim off the ends and your prop is ready to use.
EASTER FAIRY CAKES

Fairy cakes are an ideal size. A quick bite and theyre gone, a mouthful of heaven. Fun to make and embellish with children helping, their decoration offers plenty of scope for artistic expression. This recipe makes 12 buns. I suggest you freeze any leftovers because they dont have the keeping qualities of larger cakes - but I think youll find they disappear in a flash. G Cream together 4oz/115g softened butter with 4oz/115g caster sugar, either by hand or using an electric blender. G Add two beaten eggs a little at a time, and sift in 4oz/115g self-raising flour plus a teaspoon of baking powder. G Slacken the mixture with a few tablespoons of milk and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. G Divide the mixture into a dozen pretty paper cases in a 12-bun tray. G Pop a tiny rolled ball of marzipan into each cake. G Place in a pre-heated oven at 180C/350F for 15 to 20 minutes. G Cool your fairy cakes on a rack and then top them with royal icing, melted white chocolate or a thin layer of rolledout marzipan, and decorate with a riot of marzipan eggs, chicks, bunnies, lambs or the whole menagerie.
SEASONAL
FOOD
EGGS HATCHING
If you (or your neighbours) dont relish hearing the cockerels early morning alarm call, but you still like the idea of augmenting your flock with a few chicks, you can buy fertile eggs from poultry breeders. Our Hen Party on Easter Saturday is a mecca for those wanting to buy or sell hatching eggs from various breeds, from huge Buff Orpingtons to tiny Pekins. Only set regular-shaped and normal-sized eggs that have been laid within the previous two weeks, and place them under a broody hen or in an incubator to hatch. Calculate hatching day 21 days from the moment the broody hen sits - not from the time the egg was laid. But beware: you could hatch out a whole dawn chorus of cockerels, and no hens at all!
Preserve for the larder

LEMON CURD
Really fresh eggs should be available from farmers markets and farm shops, but if you keep your own hens (or have friends who do), green lights are go in the chicken run and there should be plenty of eggs to spare for small batches of lemon curd, the most luxurious of teatime treats. With luck and a conservatory, you may have lemons growing too, in a sheltered spot warmer temperatures have made citrus growing much easier.
THE KITCHEN GARDEN

Come to The Kitchen Garden on Easter Saturday and visit the poultry tent for fertile eggs, plus a wide range of plant, produce, garden goodies and hen-keeping stalls. Children can join in the egg hunt in the churchyard opposite. For further information, see www.kitchen-garden-hens.co.uk
G Beat two large whole eggs plus two extra yolks in a jug. G Put 4oz/115g cubed unsalted butter, 4oz/115g caster sugar plus the grated rind and strained juice of two lemons in a basin. G Pour the eggs in through a sieve. G Put the basin over a saucepan of simmering water and cook, stirring regularly, until the curd thickens. G Cool and spoon the mixture into sterilised jars. G Try substituting honey for sugar for an especially unctuous curd.
ENGLISH GARDEN ADVERTORIAL
Are you still using peat?

Switch to peat-free compost now to reduce your carbon footprint and save our valuable peatland habitats and wildlife
ardeners have grown with peat since the 1970s - and thousands of us continue to
PEAT FACTS
G Peat is typically about 50% carbon. G It is similar to a fossil fuel as it takes hundreds or thousands of years to form. G Our lowland raised peat bog habitats are home to many rare plants and animals. These areas are a scarce resource in England so need to be saved. G 57% of peat in the UK is currently imported, with the majority from the Republic of Ireland and the Baltics. Reducing our use will also protect wildlife sites overseas. G Soil is the biggest store of carbon after the oceans, and peat is the most significant soil carbon store.
do so. But its time to stop and stop fast. Through the recession, a newer, younger generation of Good Life gardeners has emerged. Aiming for a healthier life, and in order to keep their carbon footprint down, they are growing their own fruit and veg. However, many gardeners are unaware that peat is essentially a non-renewable resource, and when its harvested it damages valuable and scarce lowland raised bog habitats, which are home to many rare animals and plants. On top of this, making the sensible decision to swap from peat to peatfree alternatives would make a significant difference to individual carbon footprints. Three million cubic metres of peat is used every year in the UK for horticultural use including sales of multi-purpose compost. The extraction of peat in the UK alone results in just under half a million tonnes of CO2 emissions that contribute to climate change. Thats comparable to the total annual emissions of over 100,000 homes.
People often struggle to find easy ways to make a difference to protect the environment. Using peat-free products in the garden is one of the simplest ways,
says Diarmuid Gavin, supporter of the campaign
The good news is that with so many effective alternatives, we can do something about this and quickly. Amateur gardeners account for about 70% of the peat used, mainly in the form of multi-purpose composts and growing bags, and this needs to change. The
ALL IMAGES/ NATURAL ENGLAND
argument that there are few alternatives available to us now falls flat. Alternative products, such as those containing wood bark, green waste compost, wood fibre, coir and recycled peat from spent mushroom composts are sold at the majority of garden centres, and continue to be developed all the time. For most uses in the garden, the alternatives are just as effective as peat-based composts - although it is worth checking the instructions on the packaging, as watering and feeding techniques can sometimes differ. When peat-free compost isnt available, look out for products with a lower peat content instead.The new Act on CO2 campaign has revealed that only a disappointing 54% of the market is currently peat free, and around 75 million bags of peat-based growing media still continues to be sold each year. But when asked, many gardeners say that if they had known the damage peat caused to the environment, they would have turned to the alternatives sooner.
CONTACTS
For more information on the Act on CO2 peat campaign, visit:
www.direct.gov.uk/ buyingcompost
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The garden is a happy place, we love ours and hope that our products provide you with enjoyment too. Interesting range Good quality products Friendly customer service from Rebecca and Paul Perfect gifts for gardeners Many items inspired by our gardening heritage Office hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm Office 01989720178 Rebecca 07832138704
www.heritagegardentraders.co.uk
EATS & TREATS

WINE AND DINE
Visiting the vines

On land that has been farmed for generations, the owners of Wyken Hall have created a wonderful multi-faceted business that is thriving in the heart of Suffolk
WORDS CINEAD MCTERNAN
LEFT The romantic gardens that surround the Elizabethan manor house of Wyken Hall. BELOW Wyken Vineyards produces award-winning wines from grapes grown on the estate.
visit to Wyken Vineyards offers much more than its name suggests. In addition to being an award-winning winemakers, youll find a stylish restaurant, caf, shop and farmers market, as well as a beautiful garden, on an ancient 1,200-acre farm estate. Yet, it is not all business for owners Sir Kenneth and Lady Carla Carlisle, the husband-and-wife team behind this garden and food lovers mini-mecca in the heart of Suffolks glorious countryside. Keen to stress that the working farm is also our home, the couples refreshing perspective is probably the reason that the different elements of their empire work so well together. It is important for us that each element of Wyken Vineyards has a genuine connection back to the farm, says Sir Kenneth. We see each part adding to the others rather than detracting from them - we sell wine in the shop, vegetables grown in the garden are used in
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the restaurant, and local farms sell their produce at our farmers markets, which means that for visitors there can be an interest in many separate enterprises. This astute business sense, together with an inherent respect and feel for the land, prompted the Carlisles to recognise the difficulties in farming and think about diversifing. In the spring of 1988, they made the bold decision to plant a vineyard. Carla knew a lot about wines, having lived in France for five years, so we had a head start, explains Sir Kenneth. Closer to home, they worked with local vineyard Shawsgate and other wine growers to learn and hone their skills. We have an East Anglian Vineyard Association that works very well in a friendly way, says Sir Kenneth. For example, we dont have a winery on site, so our red and whites are made at Shawsgate, which is just 30 miles down the road in Framlingham, and the sparkling wine at Chapel Down in Kent. A sizable concern, some 12,000 vines cover seven acres, and the first wines were produced after three years. Choosing grape varieties to suit the climate and sandy loam over chalk, the Carlisles clearly know what theyre doing - Vitis vinifera Bacchus, which makes the Carlisles best white wine, was voted English Wine of the Year in 1992 and Best Wine in East Anglia in 2008. V. Madeleine Angevine, originally from the Loire Valley, is ideal for the UK, being both able to cope in cooler climates and an early ripener - it produces a fine medium dry white wine. V. Kernling, another early ripener, is used for a dry Riesling. With one eye to changing tastes and fashions, the Carlisles now grow V. Auxerrois and the popular V. Pinot Noir for their Wyken Moonshine sparkling wine
Visitors can walk through an ancient woodland to the vineyards to soak up the picturesque scene: row upon row of vines that grow on the south-facing slope
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The English Garden
EATS & TREATS

WINE AND DINE
OPPOSITE PAGE,TOP The 400-year-old barn houses the restaurant and shop. CENTRE The restaurant was recently awarded a coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand. BOTTOM, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT The ancient farm estate is set in Suffolks beautiful countryside; fresh, local produce is available every week at the farmers market; llamas join cattle and sheep on the farm; visitors can wander through the woodland to see the vineyards. THIS PAGE, ABOVE The Carlisles grow several varieties of grapes to make red, white, ros and sparkling wines.
and V. Triomphe dAlsace for their ros, with V. Wyken Pink. Another string to their bow is the own-label beer they now produce, made from their malting barley. Although the vineyard is arguably at the heart of the thriving business, visitors can walk through an ancient woodland to see the vineyard without charge, and soak up the picturesque scene: row upon row of vines that grow on the south-facing slope, which is thought to have once been the site of a Roman vineyard.
WANDER IN THE GARDENS

The Carlisles influence also stretches to the wonderful gardens, which Sir Kenneth began designing in the late 1970s. With the exceptions of the walls and old trees, the gardens have gradually evolved over the past 30 years or so, recalls Sir Kenneth. It amazes me to think that over time, just one project a year can transform things. And there seemed to have been no shortage of ideas for annual projects. Visitors can enjoy wandering through a nuttery, a red-hot border, apple orchard, herb and knot gardens, a maze and wildflower meadows. There is a romantic, informal and natural feel to the gardens, which Alan North, the head gardener of nearly three years, says is a real hit with visitors. The rose garden is densely planted with old-fashioned roses, under-planted with hardy geraniums and delphiniums, which all looks glorious in May and June. But its the kitchen garden, which supplies the restaurant with fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs, that is Alans passion. We love using exciting plants to make the kitchen garden beautiful and productive, he says. Growing produce that is used in the restaurant is great and gives a real sense of satisfaction.
The gardens opened in 1992, as did the Vineyard Resaurant and Leaping Hare shop, both of which are housed in the farms 400-year-old barn. The high ceilings show the old timber frame, and the white tablecloths and elegant tableware make the restaurant the perfect place to go to celebrate a special occasion or as a treat. Not surprisingly, it has been awarded a coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand. We serve local food sourced mostly from the estate and local farms. Pheasant, pigeon, venison and seasonal vegetables feature on the menu. A caf is also part of the story here and is the perfect place for a delicious lunch after a tour around the garden. The shop holds a great variety of goods, including locally made pottery and crafts, and design-led gifts from stylish crafts, wool throws and blankets to braided rugs from North Carolina, seasonal clothes in linen and wool, bronze sculptures, jewellery and cards. The farmers market, which is held weekly in the old livestock stables, makes Wyken Vineyard a must-visit on Saturdays, with a delectable selection of carefully vetted produce - bread, vegetables, cheese, meats and cakes from the best local sources. Visitors seem to love it. But then, they love all the other elements too, and who can blame them? A trip to Wyken Vineyards is a great day out. Wyken Vineyards, Wyken Road, Stanton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 2DW . The gardens open daily, excluding Saturdays, from Easter until the end of September, 2-6pm. Restaurant, caf, and shop open daily, from 10am-6pm; Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm. The Wyken Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 9am-1pm. Tel: +44 (0)1359 250262. www.wykenvineyards.co.uk
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GARDENERS GUIDE
POULTRY
Keeping chickens
Plants and poultry can live side by side, and you might even find that these feathered friends are the perfect way to control slugs and snails. But picking the right breed is key, writes Tamsin Westhorpe
ets start by being completely honest - a plantsmans garden and chickens dont go hand in hand. Although the thought of having a fleet of feathered friends running about the borders seems like a romantic idea, the truth is that they will cause some damage. However, if youre keen to share your garden with a few girls then information about the different breeds is the key. Fall for the wrong breed and your garden may never look the same again. Re-homing those that dont suit your purpose is hard, and youll find it nearly impossible to even give away feisty cockerels. Youd be wise to buy a few to start with and see how you get on. Most gardeners will opt for hens that are classified as large birds as these provide the most useful eggs for the kitchen. If youre more interested in the look of the bird or have a very small garden, then bantams take some beating. These birds are cheap to keep and have great personalities. If a steady supply of eggs is required, the various hybrid birds are bred for the purpose. Warrens, Black Rock or Speckledy are a few examples of the more commercial breeds, but they can thrive in garden environments and are much cheaper to buy. Most hens come into lay from four to five months old, but in winter months it can take longer. When a hen is about five or six years old, the egg-laying cycle is much reduced and will almost cease. At this point you may need to consider replacing them. Having chickens in the garden brings another dimension to your outdoor space, and brings many advantages to the gardener. They are entertainers, pest controllers, soil improvers, egg providers and great friends. Before long, theyll be feeding out of the palm of your hand and attempting to pop in through the back door.
ILLUSTRATION / ALLEGRETTO DREAMSTIME.COM TAMSIN WITH CHICKEN /VICTOR WESTHORPE RIGHT /TORY MCTERNAN
LEFT Golden Buff Orpingtons are very showy birds and are fairly gentle on the garden. BELOW Cotswold Legbars are said to be great garden hens and very friendly.
BREED PROFILE
G Orpington (buff, blue, black or white) This breed is friendly and docile, beautiful to look at, so would complement a garden. These birds dont wreck everything in sight but the downside is that theyre not the most prolific egg layers. They tend to go broody very easily. G Maran A friendly bird that produces the most incredible matt brown eggs. This breed has a tendency to clear anything green, so needs to be kept in a run or only allowed to roam under supervision. If you want to clear the ground of weeds they will be perfect for the job. The cockerels are not suitable for gardens where children play. If you like the look of them then the Cotswold Legbars are similar but less rough with your plot. G Welsummer These birds are fiercely independent and fairly difficult to tame. Great foragers and have no regard for your garden. The eggs are incredibly brown but theyre not so keen to lay in the winter. The perfect hen for a stable yard or farm. Avoid the cockerels in a family garden. G Wyandotte If youre looking for hens with a placid nature, theyll be perfect. Attractive birds with beautiful feathers of silver, black, blue and gold. Suited to a garden where the requirement is for three birds. They can be contained easily as theyre not great flyers. The eggs will be varied in colour with delightful markings and they could be described as average layers. G Sussex (below) Perfect as a family pet - they are friendly and calm. Lay well throughout the whole year. Not being keen flyers they are easy to contain in a garden and if you only have a few your plants should be left alone - these hens will adore titbits and attention.
ABOVE If apples arent good enough to store (this apple rack is from www.coxandcox.co.uk), the hens will love them. BELOW LEFT A very smart Sussex cockerel.
The organic gardener will benefit greatly from the presence of a few hens. Their manure is the perfect addition to a compost heap and they will simply adore devouring the slugs and snails that you collect. With chickens though, come foxes. Most chicken fanciers have had an experience or two with foxes. If you think youre free of them in your area, then bringing in the hens will soon change things. Foxes can jump and scramble up most boundaries and it is seldom that they come for one hen - theyll take or kill them all. You will be devastated - and experienced poultry keepers will always say that if you are keeping hens you have to be prepared to kill them quickly if they are very badly injured. Whatever size garden and however many hens you have, there are a few essentials that you must provide. A well built, fox-proof hen house is vital with perches and nesting boxes. These can become a garden feature themselves if chosen with care. The plastic and rather ingenious Eglu and similar more modern houses have proved very popular. Whatever house you choose it is vital that its easy to clean, as chickens do get mites (mite
THIS PAGE, TOP /COX & COX BOTTOM LEFT /GARDEN PICTURE LIBRARY
GARDENERS GUIDE
POULTRY
Chickens are entertainers, pest controllers, soil improvers, egg providers and great friends
powder is available). Youll also need water drinkers and spaceship-style feeders that keep the feed dry. Feed is something that you must not skimp on. Chickens will enjoy kitchen and garden scraps but that wont help them much with egg production. For great eggs, you need good quality layers pellets. Dont worry about birds eating poisonous plants, as they tend to know what to avoid, so keeping hens will not restrict your plant choice.
THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER

Its a known fact that chickens like company, and if left on their own suffer terribly and often die. For this reason, always plan to keep three or more. Another fact that most will know is that you dont need a cockerel unless you want to hatch your own chicks - you will still get eggs without them. It seems obvious, but this is the most commonly asked question among new hen keepers. If tempted by a cockerel, then only buy one as they will enjoy a good fight. Cockerels are stunning, and having one wandering about the garden may seem very regale, but their wake-up call is sure to annoy the neighbours, they can be a little vicious, and your
THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT /ALAMY ALAMY GRANT BRERETON
clutch of hens may appreciate not having an amorous male on the prowl every day. It is most important that you are prepared to get up and let them out every morning and shut them up at night. When your hens arrive, put them straight in their house and shut them in whatever time of day - only let them out the following morning, as this ensures they know that the hen house is their home. Dont, whatever you do, let them straight out into the garden. One thing is for sure, you will never look back after having chickens, and you wont be able to imagine a garden without them. And just think of all those wonderful fresh eggs...
TOP LEFT AND RIGHT Many of the classic brown hens are hybrids and breed for egg production not the birds for an avid plantsman. ABOVE LEFT White Wyandotte Bantams.
WHERE TO BUY HENS

Our sister title Country Smallholding magazine now comes with a 36-page specialist poultry supplement, which features a breeders directory. Buy a copy from the news stand or country stores, or subscribe by calling tel: 0844 8482892.
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PLANT FOCUS
PEONIES
RARE BEAUTIES
Peonies are known to flutter the heart of many a plantsperson, but for collector Veronica Cross, seeking out the rarest of varieties is the focus of her passion
PHOTOGRAPHS AND WORDS NICOLA STOCKEN TOMKINS
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PLANT FOCUS
PEONIES
PREVIOUS PAGE Paeonia. suffruticosa Guardian of the Monastry . ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT P . Nike; unnamed hybrid peony from Swedish breeder, Hermann Krupke; . suffruticosa KamadaP fuji; P . LAurore . LEFT . x lemoinei LEsprance . P BOTTOM LEFT Paeonia suffruticosa Ariadne .
eonies, with their exquisite flowers, cannot fail to court admiration, as one of their most ardent fans knows only too well. As each one opens, it seems more perfect than the one before, says plantswoman and collector Veronica Cross. Ive always loved peonies for the extravagant luxury of the flowers, and some of the largest are just so wonderfully vulgar. Veronicas passion for plants is infectious and she has searched far and wide to collect the 200 or more different tree peonies that thrive amongst the terraces, woodland, beds and borders in her 5.5-acre garden. Theres something very special about the shape of the flowers, and the open-faced way they look up at you, she adds. Hers is an extraordinary collection, encompassing both herbaceous varieties and tree peonies, originating from all over the world. Some have a provenance dating back centuries, while others are highly sought-after modern hybrids. The majority of Veronicas tree peonies have been sourced overseas, from specialist nurseries in Germany, Sweden, the USA and France. Many have been supplied by mail order, but others she has collected in person. Of her most treasured peonies, two varieties stand out, being so rare that they are incredibly sought after: P. LAurore, with its unusual single raspberry blooms, golden centre and finely divided leaves, tinged red; and P. x le mo ine i LE sp ran ce, with sublime single smokey yellow blooms, but sadly is a weak grower.
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
Peonies are long-lived, but according to an old adage, they take their time to settle in: Peonies first sleep, then creep, and in their third year, leap. P. suffruticosa Gu a r d i a n of t h e Mo n a st r y is one such example, taking a while to establish. Once it has, however, a show of mauve, semi-double blooms with a deep purple blotch at the base of each petal is stunning and well worth the wait. Veronica takes great care when planting to ensure good health in later life. I always dig a large hole, and
PLANTING TIPS
Well-cared-for peonies will outlive their owners, so its worth taking time to thoroughly prepare the site. G Choose a sunny, well-drained location with fertile, friable, well-drained, deeply dug soil. G Although peonies need a cold snap to encourage flowering, their roots hate to be waterlogged. G Peonies tolerate a wide PH range, but slightly acidic to neutral soil is ideal. G Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root system - about 60cm deep and 60cm
Theres something special about the shape of the flowers, and the open-faced way they look up at you
fill it with loads of good compost and Vitax Q4, she says. Providing they dont become waterlogged, peonies thrive in her good, rich clay and, once planted, she doent feed for another two years. You can overfeed them, and its best to give them time to adjust and seek out their own food. If they look sad, I take heed, but otherwise I leave well alone. Among the most vigorous are two golden tree peonies - the voluptuous but fairly ordinary P . x l e m o in e i C h r om a t e l l a and P . x le m oi n e i S S o u v en i r d e Ma x i m e C o r n u . Eyecatching for their heavy blooms that hang downwards, they happily thrive in the sunken garden, having been transplanted from Veronicas previous garden against all perceived wisdom. I moved them with enormous rootballs while they were in full flower. I was astonished to find that they were absolutely fine. I suppose, since plants dont read the gardening books, they dont realise that they shouldnt be moved! Her collection includes peonies of every colour except blue, a development that has so far eluded even the most talented of breeders. There is the lateABOVE P . Age of Gold . ABOVE RIGHT P . x lemoinei Chromatella and P . x lemoinei Souvenir de Maxime Cornu .
across - adding loads of compost and a fertiliser such as Vitax Q4. G Allow more than 1m between bushes to encourage good air circulation - this helps deter fungal infections that can occasionally strike during cold, wet springs. G With herbaceous peonies, young buds or eyes should be immersed 5cm below the soil. G All tree peonies are grafted, and the graft joint must be planted 15cm below the ground. G Mulch the root area with compost each autumn, avoiding the crown so as not to cause rot. In spring, push mulch away from new shoots to help air circulate. G Protect young foliage and buds from late spring frosts with horticultural fleece. G Support large-flowered cultivars against downpours or shake rain off after a soaking. G Do not over-fertilise: a dose of wellbalanced, slow-release fertiliser once every several years is sufficient. G In autumn, remove or burn any dead stems and foliage - never compost. G Once established, dont fuss over peonies; they thrive on a little healthy neglect.
L
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PLANT FOCUS
PEONIES
Dont overfeed them - its best to give peonies time to adjust and seek out their own food
THIS PAGE, LEFT, FROM TOP P . Hesperus; P . Golden Bowl ; P . Black . suffruticosa Pirate; P Maxine; LEFT P .x . lemoinei Chromatella
CONTACTS
WHERE TO SEE PEONIES
G Kiftsgate Court, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6LN. Tel: +44 (0)1386 438777 . www.kiftsgate.co.uk G The National Plant Collection of rare Edwardian and Victorian Paeonia cultivars, Green Cottage, Redhill Lane, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 6BS. Tel: +44 (0)1594 841918. www.peony-ukgardeners.co.uk
NURSERIES SUPPLYING RARE AND UNUSUAL PEONIES

G Binnys Plants, Binny Estate, Ecclesmachan, West Lothian EH52 6NL. Tel: +44 (0)1506 858931. www.binnyplants.co.uk G Kelways Ltd, Langport, Somerset TA10 9EZ. Tel: +44 (0)1458 250521. www.kelways.co.uk G Klehms Song Sparrow Nursery, 13101 E. Rye Road, Avalon, Wisconsin 53505, USA. www.songsparrow.com G Pivoines Riviere, La Plaine, 26400 Crest, France. Tel: +33 (0) 475256098. G Guldsmedsgrdens Plantskola HOV, S-524 95 Ljung, Sweden. Tel: +46 (0)513 50040 or email [email protected]
flowering, deep claret P . B l a c k P i r a te , and the large, double P. H e spe ru s, with its silky ruffles of rose pink petals. The pale mauve, frill-edged semidouble P . su f f rut icos a Ka mad a- f uj i is a flamboyant addition to a border. When it comes to yellow there is a range of tones to suit all tastes. The strong-growing and rather striking P . s uf f r ut i co s a A r i a d n e has a complex colouration of peachy yellow with red and maroon veining through the flower, while P . Gol den Bowl is more demure. A medium-sized hybrid derived from P. lutea, it has yellow single flowers with red central flares. The delicate P. Roman Gold has a golden boss of anthers highlighted against maroon inners. However, being so rare, not all Veronicas peonies are easily identified. One such variety has the loveliest, crepe-like white petals. I was expecting the pink double P. Kishu-Caprice, but this definitely isnt it, she says. Veronica seems more excited by the discovery of this unique unknown than the missing pink double she believed was coming. Other gems in her collection include the beautiful P. Guillaume Tell, its petals a rich pink chiffon. And then theres the recently introduced and much soughtafter hybrid P. Nike, with deep purple flares. Its one of my favourites, Veronica says, because the colouring is most unusual - a sort of biscuit colour - but then I like the weird and wonderful, she laughs. Veronica Cross peony collection is open by appointment only with a personal introduction. Write in the first instance to Lower Hopton Farm, Stoke Lacey, Bromyard, Herefordshire HR7 4HX. For more information about varieties and care of peonies and tree peonies, you can join the Peony Society by visiting www.peonysociety.org
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THE ENGLISH GARDEN

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Total FREE! 4.45 postage 9.99 14.99 9.99 7 .49 14.98 5.49 Total Cheques payable to The English Garden Offers OR (Please delete as applicable) Cheque/Maestro/Mastercard/Visa
FREETREE PEONY ROU FU RONG WORTH 14.99 Tree Peony Hu Hong 1 bareroot Tree Peony Hu Hong 2 bareroots SAVE 4.99 Peony Edens Perfume 1 bareroot SAVE 3 Peony Sorbet 1 bareroot Peony Sorbet 2 bareroots + a third one FREE Peony Fertiliser 100g
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Name ................................................................................... Address ................................................................................ ........................................................................................................ ..................................................... Postcode ........................... Telephone ............................................................................. Card number .........................................................................
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Plants will be dispatched from April 2010. All orders will acknowledged with a dispatch date. Delivery to UK addresses only. If in the event of unprecedented demand this offer is oversubscribed, we reserve the right to send suitable substitute varieties. Offer closes 30 April 2010. Please note that your contract for supply of goods is with Thompson & Morgan (Young Plants) Ltd (terms and conditions available upon request). All offers are subject to availability. Offers available to UK mainland residents only.
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102
The English Garden
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Receive a free picnic table or teak cheese board with your order Visit: www.walkham.co.uk or call free NOW: 0800 298 8076 for our brochure and price list Walkham Teak Ltd Walkhampton, Devon PL20 6LW Member of The Forest Trust
PLANTS
IRISES
LEFT Vive la France , a tall bearded iris bred by the famous French Cayeux nursery. ABOVE Julian Browse, owner of Seagate Irises, and caretaker of the National Plant Collection of Historic Bearded Irises.
IRIS CHARM
Seagate Irises in Lincolnshire brings a touch of the Mediterranean to Britain with its penchant for classic tall bearded irises, on show and on sale
WORDS JACKIE BENNETT
here is something about bearded irises that lifts the spirits. Perhaps it is their Mediterranean origins, that somehow remind us of sunshine holidays. In Britain, a land known for its grey skies, their fabulous yet fleeting flowers can never be taken for granted. One of the most important collections of historic irises in the UK is housed in a small roadside nursery in Lincolnshire. Ten years ago, Julian and Wendy Browse arrived back in the UK after living in France for a decade, and put their minds to turning a hobby into a business. At first, they considered selling cottage garden plants, but realised that to have any chance of success, they needed to specialise. Unlike in France, there were very few specialist iris nurseries in England, so they began to look at the Fenland areas around the Wash for some land - partly because of its reputation for dryness and partly because there were lots of slips of land, sold off when big fields were cut through by roads, and too small for commercial agriculture. In 10 years, their original list of 100 tall bearded irises has now grown to nearer 1,200 different varieties, including modern, water irises, sibiricas and species. But it is for the collection of 350 historic bearded irises that Seagate Irises has become best known. I collect anything that is pre-1965, says Julian. Thats the time that the shape of irises changed. From
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ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Nibelungen; Oulu; Kiss of Summer is a modern variety - very tall, reaching 1m; a richly coloured pre-1965 bearded iris, Gypsy Jewels flowers mid-season. BELOW LEFT The historic iris beds at Seagate nursery, with dark purple Draco. BELOW RIGHT Plants like Bouzy Bouzyare sold in two-litre pots.
the 1960s onwards, the tendency was to breed for ruffles and frills - more flouncy, I suppose. My interest is in the older varieties that were bred for vigour, colour and the unique patterning on the petals. Irises are not a new interest for Julian. I had started collecting them in France, where of course they grow fantastically well, but it was not until I came back to England that I took it up seriously, and then discovered that I couldnt find many of the old varieties. He turned to a growing international community of iris lovers, and built up links with gardens like Myddleton House in Enfield, Parc Floral de la Source in France and the Presby Iris Gardens in New Jersey, swapping stock and keeping each other up to date on discoveries. He has close links with the Historic Iris Preservation Society in America (HIPS), and the famous Cayeux nurseries in France. However, as Julian would agree, not many people buy irises for their history - they buy them because they like them, and because they are seduced by their velvety petals and rich, sumptuous colours. They also have a variety of perfumes, such as a light, citrus scent. Most gardeners think about irises in May or June when they come into flower, so our display beds are designed to show them off at their peak. Half of Seagates irises are bought in pots at this time, but enthusiasts will order from the catalogue in March or April, before they come into flower, ready for delivery in August and September when the stock is divided and put into pots. All the stock at Seagate is in two-litre pots and ready to go into the ground.
PLANTS
IRISES
HOW TO GROW BEARDED IRISES

G Irises work well grown in rotation as they need splitting and moving every three to four years. This is why they are often grown in kitchen gardens, and potatoes grow well in their place. G They are greedy feeders, so add garden compost or well-rotted manure to the bottom of the planting hole. This is particularly important in sandy soils. Top dress with bonemeal or blood, fish and bone in subsequent years. G Plant the rhizomes in a sunny position, on the surface of the soil with the roots firmed in. Dont cover the rhizomes with soil as they need to be exposed to the sunlight. G Weeding must be done carefully with a hoe to avoid disturbing the roots. G Divide rhizomes after three or four years. By then they will have formed a large clump, which is dead in the middle - all the living parts are around the outside. Look for the side shoots and replant those parts of the rhizome that have healthy shoots. G Dont chop the leaves off in autumn. This should only be done when they have been divided and replanted to prevent the wind rocking them out of the ground and loosening the roots. Research has shown that they will produce less flowers if the leaves are regularly cut down.
PREVIOUS PAGE /RICHARD HANSON THESE PAGES /NIBELUNGEN & DRACO BED SEAGATE IRISES ALL OTHER IMAGES - RICHARD HANSON
I make a point of dispelling as many iris myths as possible, Julian says. For example, many people believe that irises dont need much rain. They can survive without water, but they do much better when watered. Likewise, because they will survive on poor soil, people dont think they need feeding, but in fact they actually respond well to fertilisers. Its hard to pick favourites, he says, but in the iris world, breeders aim for something called the Dykes Medal - the top prize awarded since 1927 by the American Iris Society. The first winner was San Francisco, followed by many classics including Blue Rhythm (1950), Sable Night in 1955, up to the current day classics like Dusky Challenger, which won in 1992. Seagate try to stock as many US Dykes irises as possible; a sure sign of quality. In 2009, Julian acquired 300 more varieties from Italy, America and France. The Oxford Botanic Garden have also given us a lot to grow as their reserves, because they are running out of space! Business at the nursery has always been by word of mouth. A limited mail order service is available for some of the choice varieties, and as time goes by Julian has found that his motivation is something more than making a living. I now want to make sure that the iris gene pool stays replete, he says. Thats why I am so interested in the historic varieties. Within their genetic make up are qualities and character that could be lost - thats why I collect. The National Plant Collection of Historic Bearded Irises (pre-1965), Seagate Irises, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, PE12 9RX (on the A17). The display garden and nursery open April to mid-July, daily, 10am-5pm (and at other times if you call ahead to make an appointment). Tel: +44 (0)1406 365138. www.irises.co.uk
ABOVE Helper Steph Royal packing irises for dispatch. BELOW, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Bred in the 1950s, Tarn Hows is a mix of pinks and amber; Iris Ever After has a burnt orange beard on the pinkish-purple falls; Dandy is a tall bearded with creamy yellow standards, bred in 1959; a French-bred iris, Ambroisie flowers late in the season, well into June.
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BOOK REVIEWS
Library leaves
This month, we review volumes on the fine art of botanical drawing, self-sufficiency, practical gardening and Dorsets best
SPECIALIST BOTANY FOR THE ARTIST

(Dorling Kindersley, 25) This is a very well presented book, with beautiful drawings and excellent photographs. It is large, weighty and glossy with high quality image reproduction. The author, Sarah Simblet, is an artist who has previously published books on anatomy for the artist and drawing, and this book shows her evident skill at botanical illustration. The drawings are excellent - they have personality and depict living plants perfectly. In the opening section, she discusses everything from where to find plants, and how to store them, to the drawing tools and materials used by botanic artists. Plant definitions are explained, and we are brought through examples of both non-flowering and flowering plants. From this point on, the structure of the book intersperses classification and explanatory sections on plants with drawing classes from the author and masterclasses from noted botanic artists throughout history, including such greats as the German painter and engraver Albrecht Drer of the early 16th century, and contemporary artists such as the Australian Mali Moir. These masterclasses not only show how botanical art has changed and developed over time, but also explain the varied techniques of these artists; painters such as Ferdinand Bauer, who travelled with scientific expeditions during the 18th century, and were a vital part of documenting the exciting new plant discoveries of that era. In contrast, Arthur Harry Church explored the anatomy of plants in the 19th century from the confines of the University of Oxford Botanic Garden. These biographies are fascinating, and really open up the subject of botanic illustration, its history and development. The drawing classes in each section are clear and concise. The author covers structure, building up a drawing, mark-making, and how to retain the vibrancy of a plant in the final piece of work. There are some excellent tips and the lessons are very easy to follow, in a clean layout. As a professional artist, I found the tips really enlightening and well illustrated. The classes do demand an existing knowledge and experience of drawing, particularly observational. I read this book cover to cover, and I can imagine using it again and again, which is perhaps the highest praise I could give. An excellent book for the botanical artist, be they professional or amateur. Maeve Clancy, visual artist
BOOKS IMAGE /KELLY WEECH
It shows how botanical art has changed and developed over time, and explains the varied techniques of famous artists
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Books for closet smallholders
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO BACK GARDEN SELF-SUFFICIENCY

(Timber Press, 14.99) Learn how to do everything from milking a goat to making dandelion wine, and grow 60lb of fruit and 2,000lb of vegetables on a quarter acre in a year.
CHICKEN MANUAL NEW URBAN FARMER

(Quadrille, 14.99) A mix of allotment vegetable growing tips and stories with a whole load of interesting recipes to use up your harvest. Wellpresented and enjoyable. (Haynes, 19.99) A definitive reference book for those interested in having some poultry in the garden for eggs and meat. Written step-by-step for people fresh to fowl, but still good for hardened chicken owners to have to hand.
THE NEW COMPLETE BOOK OF SELF SUFFICIENCY

(Dorling Kindersley, 25) A new edition with lots of extra content on growing your own food, this well-known classic does exactly what it says on the cover, and tells you everything you need to know.
GARDEN GUIDE THE GARDENS OF DORSET

(Frances Lincoln, 25) A coffee-table sized tome, this book explores one of the most beautiful counties in the UK. Dorset is home to many great gardens and the 37 ones featured in here represent just a handful of them. The map at the front is essential. However, the book does not include opening times and prices, so youll still need to double check on these before you set off to go visiting. The writer, Roger Lane, explains the history and style of the gardens featured in a very easy style, and the photographs demonstrate clearly what to expect when you visit. The mix of gardens covered demonstrates the diverse range of gardens that the county has to offer. Three notable examples include The Secret Garden at Hilfield Friary, the world-famous Compton Acres, and the gardens belonging to Canford School in Wimborne. This is the type of book you would be thrilled to find in your Dorset holiday accommodation. But a rather frustrating thing is that its very unclear if all the gardens are open to visit. Some are small private gardens open under the NGS, but to find this out I had to do a Google search. To be fair, this is a display book that would make a great gift, but it needs to be backed up with more precise garden information. Norah Williams, garden writer
Toby Buckland seems to live, and must breathe, plants and gardens... his guide is a great general book
HOW TO PRACTICAL GARDENING HANDBOOK
(BBC Books, 18.99) A chirpy chappy and our new columnist (see pg 15), Toby Buckland seems to live, and must breathe, plants and gardens. Dedicated to getting Britain digging, the TV presenter has now written this how-to-do-everything book, covering plant care, propagation, vegetable and fruit growing, design, pests and a few projects. Aimed at a more experienced or ambitious gardener than the pots-in-acourtyard urbanite, this guide would suit someone who has been bitten by the gardening bug and wants a great general catch-all book with information about the most common things to do and deal with in an earth-based garden (not a container in sight). There are handy tips, and good-looking photographs that show how to do everything from building a stone wall to pricking out and scarifying the lawn. Stephanie Mahon, books editor
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GARDEN
In the MAY issue
THE ENGLISH
SPRING STARBURSTS
Carol Klein picks striking umbellifers
RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2010 Getting your hands on an ex-show garden Crocus nursery prepares - Raymond Evison celebrates 50 years - top show design ideas
PLUS
G FIVE stunning early summer gardens G Ride-on mowers put to the test G Garden furniture - Toby Buckland - oriental
greens - best blossom and much more
More money-off garden entry vouchers - WIN a super Hayter mower
On sale 13 April
Sold in selected Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and WH Smith
READER OFFERS
Great savings on days out with our exclusive
GARDEN VOUCHERS
Celebrate the arrival of spring by visiting our selection of beautiful and inspiring gardens around England. In the first of a two-part series, we bring you 16 gardens that are exclusively offering The English Garden magazine readers 2-for-1 entry or a free tea-for-two. Visit all the gardens listed here and youll SAVE 73.50!
WOLLERTON OLD HALL GARDEN

A series of 16 rooms set over four acres including a shade, rose, orchard and sundial garden, as well as a yew walk and lime alle. Plenty to satisfy plant lovers too, with collections of clematis, salvias, phlox and roses. Tea room and plant sales.
CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN

A beautiful walled garden in the heart of London, with exceptional collections of herb and medicinal specimens, as well as Perfumery and Aromatherapy borders and botanical order beds. Caf and shop. Open in April on Wednesdays,Thursdays
*TEG OFFER:
Free strawberry scone and pot of tea, from 2 April-31 May 2010
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry 1 April-31 May 2010
Open Fridays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, from 2 April to 30 September, 12-5pm. Adults 5.50. Wollerton, Market Drayton TF9 3NA. Tel: +44 (0)1630 685760. www.wollertonoldhallgarden.com
& Fridays, 12-5pm; Sundays & Bank Holidays, 12-6pm. See website for other opening times. Adult entry 8. Swan Walk, London SW3 4JJ. Tel: +44 (0)20 7352 5646. www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
HIGH BEECHES GARDENS

Set in 27 acres, the gardens offer plenty of year-round interest for plant enthusiasts. Highlights include a woodland tree trail, natural wildflower meadow and water garden. Tea room.
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDENS

*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry from 1 April-1 May 2010 The oldest botanic garden in the country, featuring over 7 ,000 plants, glasshouses, as well as a Grade I listed walled garden, herbaceous borders and a water garden. Open daily all year round. March,
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry throughout April 2010
Open daily, except Wednesdays, from 21 March to 31 October, 1-5pm. Adult entry 6. High Beeches Lane, Handcross, West Sussex RH17 6HQ. Tel: +44 (0)1444 400589. www.highbeeches.com
April, September & October, 9am5pm; May to August, 9am-6pm; January, February, November & December, 9am-4.30pm. Adults 3.50. Rose Lane, Oxford OX1 4AZ. Tel: +44 (0)1865 286690. www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk
*TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Cut out the vouchers and present to the participating garden to redeem the value of the offer as stated on the voucher, i.e. entry for two adults for the price of 1 full-paying adult, or a free tea and cake for two. They can only be used at participating gardens included in this feature, Garden Vouchers in the April 2010 issue of The English Garden. The validity of the offer varies from garden to garden, so check before you travel. Vouchers do not apply to purchases made from nurseries, shops and cafs at participating gardens. Photocopies not accepted.
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FORDE ABBEY AND GARDENS

Thirty acres surrounding a former Cistercian monastery featuring the Mermaid pond, home to the Centenary Fountain with its 160ft-high water jet; spring bulb displays; a kitchen garden, rock garden; arboretum; and bog garden; with large collections of primulas and lobelia. Open daily throughout the year, 10am-6.30pm. Adults 8.50. Chard, Somerset TA20 4LU. Tel: +44 (0)1460 220290. www.fordeabbey.co.uk
KIFTSGATE COURT
Plenty of year-round interest for plant enthusiasts in addition to a wonderful collection of Mediterranean specimens that benefit from a sheltered climate in the lower garden. Open in April on Sundays, Mondays & Wednesdays, 2-6pm. See website for May-September opening times. Adults 6.50. Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6LN.Tel: +44 (0)1386 438777. www.kiftsgate.co.uk
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 garden entry from 1 April-31 May 2010.
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry throughout April 2010.
PINSLA GARDEN AND NURSERY

Imaginative, artistic garden with plenty of ideas for smaller spaces with grasses, shrubs, trees - including Japanese acers and spring-flowering Acacia pravissima grasses and alpines all set among a maze of paths, sculptures and garden art. Open daily from 23 February to 31 October, 9am-6pm. Adults 2.50. Glynn, Near Cardinham, Bodmin, Cornwall PL30 4AY. Tel: +44 (0)1208 821339. www.pinslagarden.net
MARLE PLACE GARDEN AND GALLERY

Ten acres of formal and informal planting in this artists garden, featuring ancient woodland, orchards, Victorian gazebo, Edwardian rockery, walled fragrant garden, a restored 19th-century greenhouse with orchid collection, and ornamental ponds. Open daily from 1 April to 3 October (excluding 22 May and 31 July), 10am-5pm. Adults 5. Brenchley,Tonbridge, Kent TN12 7HS. Tel: +44 (0)1892 722304. www.marleplace.co.uk
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry from 1 April-1 May 2010.
*TEG OFFER:
Free homemade cake and pot of tea for two, from 1 April-1 May 2010.
RODE HALL AND GARDENS

Set in landscaped gardens originally designed by Henry Repton in 1790. April highlights a spectacular woodland filled with rhododendrons, azaleas, bluebells and lily of the valley. Dont miss the Italianate and kitchen gardens.
MILL DENE GARDEN

*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry from 5 April-1 May 2010. Hidden paths wind up from the mill pool and stream in this sloping valley garden with grotto and potager. During April, the rose walk is lined with daffodils and the yellow tulip Golden Apeldoorn. Open Tuesdays to Fridays, from
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry from 1 April-1 May 2010.
Open Tuesdays to Thursdays, Saturday 1 May, and bank holiday Mondays from April to September; 2-5pm. Adults 4. Rode Hall, Scholar Green, Cheshire ST7 3QP .Tel: +44 (0)1270 873237. www.rodehall.co.uk
1 April-30 September, 10.30am6pm. Adults 5. Blockley, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9HU. Tel: +44 (0)1386 700457. www.milldenegarden.co.uk

Vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Cut out the vouchers and present to the participating garden to redeem the value of the offer as stated on the voucher, i.e. entry for two adults for the price of 1 full-paying adult or a free tea and cake for two. They can only be used at participating gardens included in this feature, Garden Vouchers in the April 2010 issue of The English Garden. The validity of the offer varies from garden to garden, so check before you travel. Vouchers do not apply to purchases made from nurseries, shops and cafs at participating gardens. Photocopies not accepted.
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115
READER OFFERS
THE WALLED GARDEN AT SCAMPSTON

Contrasting with the contemporary Walled Garden designed by Piet Oudulf, the new mile-long Cascade Circuit Walk takes in the traditional rock and woodland gardens and Capablility Brown Lakes. Open Tuesdays to Sundays and Bank Holidays from 2 April to 31 October. 10am-5pm. Adults 5 entry to Walled Garden, 3 for Cascade Walk. Scampston Hall, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 8NG. Tel: +44 (0)1944 759111. www.scampston.co.uk
HELMSLEY WALLED GARDEN

A five-acre walled garden built in 1758 with impressive apple and vine collections as well as over 250 clematis varieties. New improvements include a physic garden, an exotic border and a 100m-long herbaceous border. Plus plant nursery, caf and shop. Open daily, 1 April to 31 October, 10.30am-5pm. Adults 4. Cleveland Way, Helmsley, North Yorkshire YO62 5AH. Tel: +44 (0)1439 771427. www.helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry to the new Cascade Circuit Walk from 1 April-1 May 2010
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry entry from 1 April-1 May 2010.
EAST LAMBROOK MANOR GARDENS

Created by plantswoman Margery Fish, this quintessential, Grade I listed English cottage garden is filled with rare and unusual plants, as well as a noted collection of hardy geraniums. Dont miss the excellent specialist plant nursery. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays & Bank Holiday Mondays to 30 October & daily in February and from 1 May to 17 July. Adults 4.50. South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5HH.Tel: +44 (0)1460 240328. www.eastlambrook.com
HIDDEN VALLEY GARDENS

This four-acre display garden and specialist plant nursery is sure to inspire. Themed areas include cottage garden beds, a Mediterranean and 'hot' border, a pond garden, Japanese area, potager, Fairy Well and a fernery. Open daily, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 20 March to 15 October, 10am-6pm. Adults 3. Treesmill, Par, Cornwall PL24 2TU. Tel: +44 (0)1208 873225. www.hiddenvalleygardens.co.uk
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry throughout March and April 2010.
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry from 20 March-30 April 2010.
STILLINGFLEET LODGE
Colour-themed cottage gardens created around a late 18th-century farmhouse. Herbaceous borders, wildflower meadow, rare small trees, a pear tree garden and a natural pond attract plenty of wildlife. Rare poultry breeds roam free.
KNOLL GARDENS
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry from 1 April-30 September 2010. Well-known grass specialist with superb display gardens, showcasing naturalistic planting, a Mediterraneanstyle gravel garden and the recently replanted Mill End. Plant sales. Open Wednesdays to Saturdays from
*TEG OFFER:
2-for-1 entry from 1-30 April 2010.
Open Wednesdays, Fridays, and first and third Saturday and Sunday each month from 3 April-29 September. Adults 4. Stewart Lane, Stillingfleet, York YO19 6HP .Tel: +44 (0)904 728506. www.stillingfleetlodgenurseries.co.uk
November to April, 10am-4pm; and Tuesdays to Sundays from May to October, 10am-5pm. Adults 5.50. Hampreston, Wimborne BH21 7ND. el: +44 (0)1202 873931. www.knollgardens.co.uk

Vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Cut out the vouchers and present to the participating garden to redeem the value of the offer as stated on the voucher, i.e. entry for two adults for the price of 1 full-paying adult or a free tea and cake for two. They can only be used at participating gardens included in this feature, Garden Vouchers in the April 2010 issue of The English Garden. The validity of the offer varies from garden to garden, so check before you travel. Vouchers do not apply to purchases made from nurseries, shops and cafs at participating gardens. Photocopies not accepted.
The English Garden
117
READER EVENTS
THE ENGLISH GARDEN

For 2010, we have arranged an exciting and exclusive series of events at some incredible venues. We hope you will join us...
POTTERY
Theme: A day at the famous Whichford Pottery, a chance to work with clay and see the private pottery garden. When: Tues 27 April and Tues 21 September Number of places: 15 Start time: 9.30am-4pm Venue: Whichford Pottery, Near Shipstonon-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 5PG. www.whichfordpottery.com Cost: 95
Enjoy a guided tour of the workshop, then join the lively morning tea break with the pottery team. Have a go at working with clay by decorating a house or name plate (items can be collected at a later date or delivered at cost). After a picnic lunch (provided by yourself), youll take a guided tour of Jim Keelings private garden. This will be followed by a container-planting demonstration with head gardener Harriet Rycroft. Finish the day with tea and cakes, and an opportunity to shop at a 10% discount - flowerpots, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and garden accessories.
A GARDENERS SUPPER
Theme: A day of quick and easy recipes with the emphasis on using home-grown produce, at The Orchards Cookery School in Worcestershire. When: Fri 28 May Number of places: 16 Start time: 10am-9.30pm Venue: The Orchards, Salford Priors, Nr Evesham, Worcestershire WR11 8UU. www.orchardscookery.co.uk Cost: 190 (includes all ingredients)
a luxury kitchen. The school, run by sisters Isabel and Lucy Bomford, was voted one of the top 25 cookery schools by Waitrose. The afternoon will be spent preparing an evening meal in the fully equipped kitchens, which are in a renovated 18th-century pantry and old stables. Champagne and canaps are served at 7.15pm, followed by a homecooked five-course meal. B&B is available at the School at a cost of 35 per person.
GRASSES, THE GARDEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Theme: A day with RHS Chelsea gold medallist and grass expert Neil Lucas at Knoll Gardens. When: Wed 15 Sept and Wed 13 Oct Number of places: 20 Start time: 10.30am-4pm Venue: Knoll Gardens, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7ND. www.knollgardens.co.uk Cost: 95, to include 10 lunch voucher.
The perfect day for the gardener-cook. Start with a tour of the kitchen garden that belongs to the Georgian farm house, and then enjoy cooking a four-course lunch in
118
The English Garden
After a welcome tea or coffee, youll tour
the exquisite four-acre garden, which is at its best in late summer and autumn, and famous for its use of ornamental grasses. This is followed by an ornamental grasses masterclass led by the gardens owner, Neil Lucas, M.I.Hort, author, RHS judge and the UKs leading authority on ornamental grasses. Lunch is at the Haybarn Coffee Shop, just under half a mile from Knoll. The restaurant is part of Littlemoors Farm Shop, which stocks more than 600 local products, from cheese to biscuits. Spend your 10 voucher on a buffet lunch and youll also receive a 10% discount on any purchases in the shop. After lunch, Neil talks on Why saving the planet starts in the garden. This is the first course that Neil is running on behalf of the new Knoll Gardens Foundation. It looks at how to take Knolls naturalistic style of gardening one step further, combining beauty with wildlife and environmental factors. To conclude the day, youll have the chance to browse the nurserys fabulous collection of grasses and perennials.
WHICHFORD /LIZ EDDISON
Events Calendar 2010
BOOK NOW
to reserve your place
FROM THE EDITOR

We are thrilled to be offering our readers seven exclusive reader events throughout 2010. Im convinced there is something here for everyone, and buying a day for a friend or relative would make a great gift. I have personally visited all the venues and met all the hosts, so you can feel confident that each day will be professional, informative, fun and practical. I plan for either me or a member of the team to join you on each day, so we look forward to
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Jim Keeling, the founder of Whichford Pottery, at work; the stunning house and garden of The Orchards Cookery School; Knoll Gardens; the nursery at Knoll; and a basket of goodies from Littlemoors Farm Shop.
sharing great experiences with you.
EVENTS IN BRIEF
DESIGN
Theme: A day with garden designer and writer James Alexander-Sinclair, at Hampton Court Palace, Surrey. When: Fri 17 Sept Number of places: 15 Start time: 10am-3.30pm Venue: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU. www.klc.co.uk Cost: 130
nurtured. Lunch at the Tiltyard Caf (included in the price) followed by an afternoon lecture on plants that will change your life, followed by Q&A with James.
27 April - Whichford Pottery (Warwickshire) 95 28 May - Cooking a gardeners supper (Worcestershire) 190 15 Sept - Knoll Gardens (Dorset) 95 17 Sept - Design day (Surrey) 130 21 Sept - Whichford Pottery (Warwickshire) 95 9 Oct - Baking for gardeners (Worcestershire) 140 13 Oct - Knoll Gardens (Dorset) 95
BAKING FOR GARDENERS

When: Sat 9 October Number of places: 16 Start time: 10am-5.30pm Venue: The Orchards, Salford Priors, Nr Evesham, Worcestershire WR11 8UU. www.orchardscookery.co.uk Cost: 140 (includes all ingredients)
Would you like help on everything from choosing plants, framing views, placing the perfect terrace or sorting out that annoying bit of garden where nothing will grow? Experience all of this and more at Hampton Court Palace with KLC School of Design and leading garden designer James AlexanderSinclair who is our new columnist The Rake (pg 10) and discover how to make the most of your garden. Coffee followed by an introduction and talk, and an illustrated insight into How gardens are born and
BOOK NOW
Please call Vicky Kingsbury, tel: +44 (0)1242 211073 or email Victoria.kingsbury@ archant.co.uk to reserve your place, or to find out more information.
Enjoy a tour of the kitchen garden at The Orchards Cookery School and then get stuck into cooking a four-course lunch. After lunch, take a walk around the garden, then its an afternoon of baking cakes and goodies to take home. Conclude the day with afternoon tea. The kitchen and atmosphere are very friendly and incredibly professional. B&B accommodation is available at the School at 35 per person.
The English Garden
119
RULES/WEB
On our website...
GREAT VALUE PRICES ON BOOKS, PLANTS AND TOOLS AT WEB EXCLUSIVE SHOPPING OFFERS
These new lightweight breathable nylon fabric gauntlet gloves are perfect for spring pruning. Protecting hands and arms from thorns, they also have a durable synthetic suede on the palm and are reinforced with a rubberised grip on the fingers. The fabric is snag-resistant and machine washable. ETHEL ROSE GAUNTLET RRP 22
G SPECIAL ONLINE PRICE 19.99
THE ENGLISH GARDEN COMPETITION AND OFFER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

G The publishers reserve the right to add to, amend or waive any of these rules at any time. These rules apply to all competitions in any magazine published by Archant Ltd. G No competition prize can be transferred or assigned to any other person and no cash alternative or alternative prize is available. In the event of the advertised competition prize being unavailable for whatever reason, The English Garden is not responsible and is not required to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value. G Entries are to be made on the official form printed in the magazine, or in the manner described in the magazine. Incomplete entries are invalid. G Where an entry fee is specified in the magazine, entries must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Entries not accompanied by the appropriate fee are invalid. G Entries that contain false or misleading information are invalid. In particular, where a minimum age limit is stated in the magazine, any entrant who gives false information will be disqualified. G The closing date for entries is as printed in the relevant issue of the magazine. Where no closing date is shown on offers and competitions, the closing date is the last day of the month shown on the cover of the magazine. Entries received after the closing dates are invalid. The publishers reserve the right to vary the closing date for entries at their absolute discretion. G The winner will be the first correct entry or entries to be drawn after the closing date. G All winners will be notified individually by post or email, or the winners details may be published in the magazine, at the publishers discretion. G It is a condition of entry that entrants consent to their name and photograph being published in the magazine without fee if they win. G The publishers decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into. G The prize is as stated in the magazine. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in the printed details of the magazine. G The publishers reserve the right to offer the same prize or prizes in different titles and or different editions of the same magazine. G The value of the prize stated in the magazine is an approximate only; it is based upon the sponsors or suppliers full recommended retail price, and may include carriage, handling, fitting etc charges where appropriate. G The publishers and sponsors reserve the right to change the prize in the event of the sponsor failing to supply the advertised prize for whatever reason. G The prize, or part of the prize, is subject to availability. The publishers and sponsors reserve the right to substitute it with another, at their absolute discretion. G The prize is not transferable, and cannot be exchanged for goods and services. No cash alternative is available. G The publishers reserve the right to withhold the prize where, in their sole judgement, none of the entries reaches a sufficient high standard. G Proof of postage of goods to the winner constitutes supply of the prize. G The publisher and/or sponsors will not be liable for loss or damage of the prize in transit. G The publishers will not be liable for accident, injury or loss caused by the prize, or resulting in any way from entry into the competition. G The publishers make no warranty as to the quality of the prize, its fitness for any particular purpose, or the standard of workmanship where applicable. G The competition is void where prohibited by law.
(plus 3.95 P&P)
EXCLUSIVELY FOR OUR READERS 3 EXTRA MONTHS FREE MEMBERSHIP FOR FRIENDS OF KILVER COURT
SPECIAL ONLINE DEALS!
For the perfect gift or as a treat for yourself, why not join Friends of Kilver Court for a year and receive an additional three months for free. The benefits include 10% off all your purchases in the Sharpham Park farm shop and 10% discount in the Mulberry factory shop (situated next door). Kilver Court, the Secret Garden of Somerset, is not to be missed. Single membership 15 per annum. Family membership 25. Offer ends August 2010. For the code to receive this discount, go to www.theenglishgarden.co.uk
Our website is packed with design tips, photography, competitions, events and advice on jobs to do now. Fully interactive, you can have your say too. Visit us at...
The English Garden
121
GARDENS to enjoy
DYFFRYN GARDENS
St Nicholas Vale of Glamorgan CF5 6SU Tel: 029 2059 3228 Email: [email protected] Website: www.dyffryngardens.com Dyffryn Gardens, set in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan Countryside, is an exceptional example of Edwardian Garden design. Within the 55-acre gardens is a series of stunning outdoor garden rooms, an impressive arboretum, formal lawn areas, a fernery and much more, all of which helps to make Dyffryn one of Wales number one gardens. Please check out the website for upcoming Easter events as well as further events throughout the season.
OUTSIDE ART - GARDEN SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

Outside Art Russells Quarry Garden & Avondale Library Garden Mill Hill Bagington Coventry CV8 3AG T: 07799311438 E: [email protected] Sponsored by
www.thegardeningwebsite.co.uk www.outsideart.org.uk
Outside Art has quickly established itself as one of the 'must see' sculpture exhibitions of the year. Set in lovely surroundings, the artwork is wide-ranging in style and appeals to all tastes and budgets. There are over 300 sculptures on display and for sale. Exhibition Dates: 12 -27 June 2010 Opening hours: 11am - 4pm Admission fee: 5.00
TITSEY PLACE HOUSE AND GARDENS

Address Titsey Hill Oxted Surrey Information Line: 01273 715359 www.titsey.org Admission charges House & Garden 7, Garden Only 4.50, Children Under 16 1, Woodland walks Free and open 365 days. Titsey Place, with its stunning garden, lakes, woodland walks, walled kitchen garden and park offering panoramic views, enchants visitors. Enjoy the fine family portraits, furniture, a beautiful collection of porcelain and a marvellous set of four Canaletto pictures of Venice. After visiting the mansion house and grounds, why not relax in our new tea room where light refreshments are available. Opening Times - Mid May to end of September: Wednesdays, Sundays. May and August Bank Holidays 1-5pm. Garden only on Easter Monday. Garden only open every Saturday during opening season. Open exclusively for groups by arrangement. The Church of St James is open from Easter Sunday - 31st October each Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank holidays.
WATERPERRY GARDENS
Waterperry, Near Wheatley, Oxfordshire OX33 1JZ Tel: 01844 339254 Fax: 01844 339883 [email protected] www.waterperrygardens.co.uk Opening times: 10am to 5.30pm March to October 2010. 10am to 5pm November and December 2010. Closed between Christmas and New year. Party bookings welcome by arrangement. 8 acres of inspirational landscaped gardens featuring rose, alpine and formal knot gardens, a water lily canal, riverside walk and one of the finest purely herbaceous borders in the country. This beautiful estate in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside also has a quality plant centre, art gallery, teashop and museum and is famous for apple juice produced from our own orchards. Arts, crafts and gardening courses are also available and theres a full programme of annual events including outdoor theatre. For more information and ticket prices visit
www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
For more information visit us at www.theenglishgarden.co.uk
BROCHURE DIRECTORY
ELIZABETH BRADLEY DESIGNS

Beautiful Needlework and Accessories Red Poppy New Botanical Design from Elizabeth Bradley Designs.
Stand No. A14, Hampton Court
More beautiful new designs available now at www.elizabethbradley.com Email: [email protected] or call 01865 339 050
THE DIRECTORY
ACCESSORIES
Beautiful, practical supports for the garden, including designs for herbaceous perennials, roses, shrubs and climbing plants.
To advertise contact Emily Lucas tel: +44 (0) 1242 216081 email: [email protected]
Made in England
Leander Products, Idridgehay, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 2SL
TO ADVERTISE IN THE CLASSIFIED SECTION PLEASE CALL EMILY LUCAS ON 01242 216081
Traditional Seed boxes & Storage Racks

Brand your own:
Family Name, House Name, Garden Name, Business Name
From 6.50 each + p&p

(minimum order 6 for seed boxes)
From 24 each for storage racks. Allow 28 days for delivery Tel: 01653 692055 or Mob: 07980 276820 Over the Garden Wall Sithean Mor, Achnaha, Kilchoan, Argyll, PH36 4LW
For more information visit us at www.theenglishgarden.co.uk The English Garden
THE DIRECTORY
ARTS AND CRAFTS BRIDGES COURSES
A CERAMIC MODEL OF YOUR HOME

Call me or visit my website Richard A. Rogers
RAR Ceramics Tel: 01777 703711

Email: [email protected] Web: www.rarceramics.co.uk
BLINDS & CURTAINS
GREENHOUSES
TO ADVERTISE IN THE
CLASSIFIED SECTION PLEASE CALL
EMILY LUCAS ON 01242 216081

PET SERVICES
The English Garden
THE DIRECTORY
GARDEN DESIGN WILDLIFE
NURSERIES
TO ADVERTISE IN
Sally Court, Dip ISD, FSGD,
RHS award winning designer, provides a professional, creative design service for all garden styles from the smallest backyard to several acres, formal or cottage, from scratch to restoration. A personal approach to complement clients individual requirements.
Courtyard Garden Design, The Workshop, 32 Broadway Avenue, East Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 1RH Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 8892 0118 Email: [email protected]
THE CLASSIFIED SECTION PLEASE CALL
EMILY
LUCAS ON 01242 216081

HOPES GROVE NURSERIES
HEDGING AND TOPIARY
THE HEDGING PLANT SPECIALISTS

Our full colour brochure is FREE on request and includes:
HEDGING, YOUNG TREES, AZALEAS & RHODODENDRONS, CONIFERS, CLIMBERS, GROUND COVER, ORNAMENTAL GRASSES, SPECIMEN TREES, TOPIARY & FRUIT. VISITORS WELCOME BY APPOINTMENT
HOPES GROVE NURSERIES, SMALLHYTHE ROAD, TENTERDEN, KENT, TN30 7LT Tel: 01580 765600 Fax: 01580 766894
Email: [email protected] Web: www.hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk All enquiries and Credit/Debit card orders welcome. Mail order specialist: nationwide delivery. Nursery open 9-5 Mon-Sat. Closed Sunday. VISA, SWITCH, M.CARD, DELTA, AMEX
The English Garden
THE DIRECTORY
PLANTS
131 Theobalds Park Road, Crews Hill, Enfield, Middx EN2 9BB, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 8367 8809 [email protected]
PONDS
WATERLILIES & AQUATIC SPECIALISTS
ROSES
Bog and moisture loving plants Butyl pool liners and accessories
Please send 2x1st class stamps for catalogue to:
Mimmacks Aquatics
Woodholme Nursery, Goatsmoor Lane, Stock, Essex CM4 9RS (Dept TEG10) Telephone: 01277 840204
www.mimmacks.co.uk
TO ADVERTISE IN THE
Specimen plant nursery and garden design centre. We supply architectural specimen trees and shrubs including olives and hardy palms. Also wide selection of colourful perennials, and drought-tolerant grasses.
CLASSIFIED SECTION PLEASE CALL
WWW.PARAMOUNTPLANTS.CO.UK
EMILY LUCAS ON 01242 216081

POTS & ORNAMENTS
PERHILL PLANTS
Worcester Road, Great Witley, Worcestershire, WR6 6JT tel:01299 896329 email:[email protected]
HEDGING AND TOPIARY
Specialist growers of rarer more unusual perennials.

Online shop @ www.perhillplants.co.uk Mail order catalogue available.(six 2nd class stamps please). Open most weekdays, 9am-5pm (Closed weekends)
NURSERIES
Encourage wildlife to your garden. Plants and seeds of wildflowers, native trees, shrubs, climbers, bulbs, meadows, etc.
Visitor centre open April 1st-Sept 30th, 11am-5.30pm daily at Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Notts.
Colour catalogue and growing guide, send 4x1st class stamps. Naturescape (EG), Maple Farm, Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Notts, NG13 9HP
FOR MORE ADVERTISERS PLEASE VISIT THE ONLINE

DIRECTORY AT WWW.THEENGLISHGARDEN.CO.UK
Tel: 01949 860592 Fax: 01949 869047

www.naturescape.co.uk email: [email protected]
Established 1978
The English Garden
THE DIRECTORY
BUILDING AND REFURBISHMENT WEB SERVICES
Our NEW 2009 Seed Catalogue and VegBook offers around 4,500 items covering every horticultural interest.
Tel: 01229 581137 Email: [email protected]
www.chilternseeds.co.uk
ROSES
Happy Birthday
For Every SPECIAL OCCASION

Tel: 01939 210380 OVER 1000 Varieties to Choose From
Special Anniversary
www.countrygardenroses.co.uk
CLIMATISED COATINGS
ELIMINATES HOUSE PAINTING
Climatised coatings are a superb range of external wall coatings that are tough, flexible, durable and weatherproof
T: 01629 630139 www.stonewarehouse.co.uk
DECORATIVE GRAVEL DIRECT FROM THE QUARRY
MowWithUs.com
For all your garden machinery needs
www.gardenlines.co.uk
Lawnmowers, Hedgecutters, Strimmers, Garden Furniture
jo thin e
COMPOST ALL
COOKED AND UNCOOKED
KITCHEN WASTE INCLUDING MEAT AND FISH
SmartSoil Ltd

High build breathing coating suitable for all types of external walls All latest colourings available Nationwide service with 30 years experience Guaranteed not to flake, peel or chip for 10 years Not affected by acid rain or a salt laden atmosphere Breathing Coating
Tel: 01639 701888 Web: www.smartsoil.co.uk
PLACES TO STAY
Park Road, Grange over Sands LA11 7HQ Tel: +44 (0) 15395 33026. www.clarehousehotel.co.uk
We offer rest & relaxation, delightful meals, a garden to sit in, a promenade to saunter along and wonderful bay views and look forward to welcoming you to our family run hotel. Early Season Special Offer until April 30th Any 4-days 280.00 PP DB&B, Additional 5% discount until April 16th.
CLARE HOUSE
This resurfacing is applied by high pressure spray by our own fully trained staff All our work is done by our own highly trained personnel,to an exceptionally high standard of detail, rarely seen these days.
Name . Address
.......................................................... .......................................................... ............................................................... Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

To: Climatised Coatings (UK) Ltd, Freepost, Chester CH2 1ZZ or telephone Chester (01244) 378488
www.climatisedcoatingsuk.co.uk
DELIGHTFUL COTTAGE peaceful location with stunning views towards Exmoor sleeps 4 1 double 1 twin both ensuite large sitting/dining area very well equipped kitchen private patio garden. Excellent base for visiting RHS Rosemoor, Marwood, Knightshayes and Glebe Cottage Garden. The beautiful N. Devon coast and Exmoor within easy reach. Tel: 01598 740203 www.sannacott.co.uk
The English Garden
GUEST SPEAKER
Whether wall building and dances or disagreements over trees, Alastair Sawday cant imagine any plot better than his neighbourhoods communal garden
Alastair Sawday is the founder of the Sawday's Special Places to Stay series of guide books
ne day the wall fell down into the lane that divides our communal garden from another. There it lay for months until the council added concrete and scaffolding to prevent further falls. The path, much loved and used, was now blocked. For about a year there was stalemate. Nobody wanted to do anything, to avoid an implied acceptance of responsibility for the wall. Meanwhile, nobody passed. Then, one day, we had a Eureka moment. Lets just DO it. So the community rallied around; a local engineer told us how to do it; the men made coffee and carried stones while the women placed them. We now have a beautifully rebuilt wall and some fine memories of a weekend spent communally. I remember it all with great fondness - working together is more fun than working alone. Thus it is with our garden, a long, wide, shared space that stretches for the length of 22 houses and across a wide lawn, down a wooded slope, and through brambles and bushes to the lower wall fringing that path, and another shared garden below. We have sycamores aplenty, tall and handsome, but somehow never entirely loved. We have maples, limes, silver birch and ever-optimistic young elm. Our centrepiece is a magnificent copper beech, so loved as to be
snowdrops, aquilegias and countless flowers that individual residents have popped into the ground, sometimes whimsically. We have, more purposefully, planted hazel, field maple, dogwood, spindle and chestnut. An elderly yew tree has for decades served as viewing platform and play area for generations of the Crescents children.
This communal garden nurtures feel-good moments the way it nurtures trees... Let the rest of the world put up fences
forgiven by the residents who live close by for shading their houses. A great ash fell in a wind and the garden was big enough to accept its fall without damage. A mulberry bush decorates the gardens centre and the clothes of those who flirt with it in season. We have hellebores in the spring, a fine magnolia tree, and a cotoneaster that on one glorious day recently fed all its red winter berries to an invading horde of field fares and redwings. Spring gives us daffodils and
The two handsome lawns are fringed with shrubs, bushes and little trees. Upon them, as I write, lies a motley collection of halfburned Christmas trees, survivors of the Twelfth Night burning party. During the summer months, there lies a motile collection of sunbathers, many of them students revising for, or recovering from, exams. The summer has often brought out the best in us, organising garden parties and even marquees to dance in. Our parties are famous locally, and last year a couple
Next month: our Guest Speaker is Andy McIndoe
MARK BOLTON
married in the marquee and then handed it over to the rest of us for celebrating other things. Perhaps what I most love about this communal garden is the way it both unites and divides us. Long ago, a kind-hearted woman planted a small tree in the garden to replace a dying one. The resident opposite crept out and ripped it up. The diplomatic efforts and skills applied to the unblocking of this impasse were worthy of the Middle East Peace Process. We came together, failed to find a genuine solution, but dealt with it - and that felt good. Trees divide us like nothing else. For months, we have wrangled over whether or not to remove the limes that are growing up under the great sycamore. But we have come to a decision, to take them out, and that is it: another feel-good moment. This garden seems to nurture these moments the way it nurtures trees. Sure, we cannot grow our own vegetables, but we grow relationships and childhood memories. Let the rest of the world put up fences.

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What are some of the plants and trees mentioned in the garden?

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How do the residents interact with each other?

How do the residents interact with each other?

GARDEN

FOR EVERYONE WHO LOVES BEAUTIFUL GARDENS

TULIPS, BLUEBELLS, PEONIES AND IRISES

APRIL IS THE MONTH TO...

THE ENGLISH GARDEN AWARDS 2009

Tamsin Westhorpe, Editor

May 6th - 9th 2010

Come and Celebrate 25 Years of Gardening Ideas with Us

01684 584 924

NORTH AMERICAN AD SALES

Archant Specialist Managing Director Miller Hogg Email: [email protected]

Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations

Shopping for the smallholder We bring you the best

NEW Talking techniques Toby Buckland starts his new

In action Spring has sprung at Houghton Hall in Norfolk and

SUSSEX Eleven days of heaven Visit Pashley Manors

WILTSHIRE Attention to detail Order and colour

CORNWALL Into the blue English bluebells make this

SOMERSET A secret no more A charming garden

DESIGN GUIDE Jekyll genius Plants are the star of this

DESIGN BOOK Planting pointers Andrew Duff reveals

DESIGN FEATURES Natural swimming ponds

Grow & eat

Keeping chickens Fancy fresh eggs on Easter Sunday? Find

Offers, competitions & events

GROWING CONDITIONS Lavenders like

GROWING CONDITIONS Likes a fertile,

GROWING CONDITIONS Loves a sunny

WHERE TO BUY Not widely available, but

WHERE TO BUY Widely available at garden

WHERE TO BUY Widely available or try

The English Garden

news G updates G events G trends G gossip G news G updates G events

Gardeners World in the 1980s: lots of sheds knocked up from bits

10 The English Garden

trends G gossip G news G updates G events G trends G gossip G news

WAKEHURST /RBG KEW

TAKE A WALK AT WAKEHURST

Merci beau coop

COMPILED BY/VICTORIA KINGSBURY

The English Garden

Next month: Growing winter cabbages.

THE GABRIEL ASH SUPERIOR GREENHOUSE

Was 3,320 Now 2,650 Save 670

The only greenhouses endorsed by the RHS

was 2,445 now 1,850

was 8,330 now 4,995

was 775 now 599

Patio Glasshouses & Coldframes

For a brochure call

or visit our showroom at Monument Farm, Farndon, Chester CH3 6QP.

0800 0851 652

Bud and blossom at Houghton

IN THE VEG GARDEN

SETTING OUT SEED POTATOES

The English Garden