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52 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 The summer borders at Oxleaze Farm are filled with Onopordum acanthium, pink peonies, white foxgloves, Philadelphus purpurascens and Alchemills mollis.
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 53 Dating back to the 1700s, the garden at Oxleaze Farm reflects the inspirations of generations of gardeners, not least its current owners, Chris and Chipps Mann WORDS ANNETTE WARREN PHOTOGRAPHS CLIVE NICHOLS Country CHORALE OXLEAZE FARM
54 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 T HE ANCIENT FIELD GEOMETRIES OF rolling ridge and furrow form a fitting agricultural backdrop to Oxleaze Farm, situated on the border between Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. Dating back to 1700, the organic farm has been worked by the Mann family since 1946. A cluster of mellow Cotswold stone buildings is presided over by the Georgian farmhouse where current owner, Charles Mann, was born and raised. In 1983, Charles and his wife, Chipps, moved into the farmhouse which has been the family home ever since. The gardens of Oxleaze Farm exude a gentle English charm. A wood and iron gate dripping with the twisted stems of the Clematis armandii growing beside it leads to a stone terrace where white valerian (Centranthus ruber ‘Albus’) spills in profusion across the path, much of it self-seeded and bursting through the cracks in the slabs. “Nature knows better than me,” remarks Chipps. “You know that when plants self-seed, that is where they want to be.” Similarly, the daisy-like Erigeron karvinskianus, not content with its intended home – an ancient stone trough beside the house – now springs from every conceivable crevice. When Chipps and Charles first moved to Oxleaze they were mindful to respect the mature garden Above A mixed perennial border is filled with rose ‘Bonica’, Hebe ‘Pagei’, Astrantia major ‘Claret’, Teucrium, Elaeagnus ‘Quicksilver’, giant scabious and Acanthus. Right Yew topiary defines this small garden where Vitis coignetiae rambles over golden privet.
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 55 qualities of this compost. Here the pink shrub rose ‘Bonica’ flowers continually throughout summer, complemented by other cottage garden favourites such as Astrantia major ‘Claret’, Acanthus mollis, giant scabious (Cephalaria gigantea) and the cool blue blur of Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium. Silvery Elaeagnus ‘Quicksilver’ and soft mounds of Hebe pinguifolia ‘Pagei’ provide structure and form against the tumbling tapestry of summer pastels. Beyond the borders, an arch cut into the yew leads to the sunken garden, an ambitious project started by Chipps in 1996. Seized by her idea, she earnestly set about digging with a spade only to be quickly defeated by the sheer volume of the which had been the creation of Charles’ mother. Gradual changes were made, starting with the sweep of lawn which was previously bordered by narrow beds. Chipps set out to soften the garden by increasing the depth of the borders and introducing a tall yew hedge, which screens the large vegetable plot from the main garden. “The bones of the garden were already here, for which I am grateful,” she says. Inspired by the ancient topiary at nearby Ablington Manor, the former rose garden was given a new lease of life with box hedging. Charles remembers saying to Chipps, “Why can’t we have a hedge like that?” and the idea was sown. In this part of the garden, a swing seat and vast stone table are surrounded by a variety of topiary shapes, all maintained by Charles. “Charles started going mad with the clipping trying to give it an aged look, which has worked, I think,” says Chipps, in explanation of the unusual shapes that have evolved. The central stone table sitting atop staddles was formed from the base of an old trough from the farm. A mere 10cm of soil lies above a half-metre depth of Cotswold brash and, beneath this, solid stone. “We are forever ploughing up slabs of stone in the fields. All the terraces are essentially excavated slabs from around the farm,” explains Charles. The softened borders around the lawn are the epitome of an English country garden. To nourish the thin soil, Chipps fertilises with compost sourced from the local council ‘green bin’ scheme. “I call it black gold because it is completely weed free,” she explains. Aided by a watering system, the packed borders are testament to the magical Above left The garden at Oxleaze complements the Georgian farmhouse in which Charles Mann was born and raised. Above right Nodding heads of brilliantly coloured poppies enliven a scheme. Below Self-seeded Centranthus ruber ‘Albus’ spills over a The softened garden path. borders around the lawn are the epitome of the English country garden
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JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 57 BLOOMS FOR A COUNTRY GARDEN A medley of annuals and perennials mingles with shrubs grown for their flowers and scent PAPAVER RHOEAS SHIRLEY GROUP Grow Shirley poppies for flowers in soft shades with varied forms. They are easily sown directly into the soil in autumn. ROSA ‘RAUBRITTER’ A vigorous mound-shaped rose that reaches 1m tall. In summer it is covered in a profusion of rounded flowers. ALLIUM ATROPURPUREUM Plant bulbs in autumn for purple drumstick flowers that bridge the gap between spring and summer. SISYRINCHIUM STRIATUM A champion self-seeder bearing fanshaped clumps of grassy leaves from which the sti flower spikes emerge. PHILADELPHUS PURPURASCENS This desirable species of mock orange has sweetly-scented white blooms with prettily contrasting purple calyces. PAPAVER ‘MOTHER OF PEARL’ A cultivar of corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas), with delicate, pale pink-mauve tissue-paper flowers; great in meadows. ROSA MUTABILIS Pretty flowers open apricot-yellow and age to pink, making for a multicoloured display on an airy shrub 2.5m tall. ANTIRRHINUM MAJUS A bedding staple that is good for filling gaps and injecting colour in sweet-shop shades of pink and pastels. CARPENTERIA CALIFORNICA Bold, fragrant white flowers adorn this evergreen shrub in summer – perfect grown against a warm, sunny wall.
Mitton Manor Location: ST19 5QW (2 miles west of Penkridge) At the Texaco island on the A449 in Penkridge turn west into Bungham 3HUL;\YUYPNO[H[[OLLUKVM)\UNOHT3HULHUK[OLUPTTLKPH[LS`SLM[2LLWYPNO[H[[OLMVYRHM[LY[OLZPUNSLÄSLIYPKNL ;OLOV\ZLPZñTPSLZMYVT[OLIYPKNLVU[OLYPNO[*HYWHYRPUÄLSKILMVYLOV\ZL It really is a magical time of year at Mitton Manor. The cherry trees are truly spectacular and visitors can also enjoy the rest of the gardens, with its many varying styles, formal box & topiary, woodland and stream. In addition to our regular NGS open day in July, we are excited to announce additional open days that will give all garden lovers the opportunity to see V\YILH\[PM\SNHYKLUPUNSVYPV\ZISVVT For more information please visit: www.mittonmanor.co.uk Refreshments: ,UQV`[LHJVќLLJHRLZVYHJOHTWHNUL HM[LYUVVU[LH^OPSZ[SPZ[LUPUN[VSP]LT\ZPJ Admission: £5. No charge for children under 12 Email: [email protected] Gardens 4P[[VU5LHY7LURYPKNL:[HќVYKZOPYL:; ffi8> Please note, opening early this year cherry trees are We’re opening on: April 30th, 11.30am - 4.30pm May 1st, 11.30am - 4.30pm May 7th, 11.30am - 4.30pm July 2nd, open for the NGS - 11.30am - 4.30pm
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 59 GOOD IDEAS FROM OXLEAZE FARM OVERWINTERING “I am experimenting with dahlias, Verbena bonariensis and other hollow-stemmed plants by not cutting them back for winter,” says Chipps. “It occurred to me that the hollow stems make perfect receptacles for winter wet which funnels down the stem to the tuber or root, causing rot and death.” As soon as the plant starts growing again, the tatty tops can be removed.” BULBS IN POTS “In autumn I plant masses of bulbs, such as Crocus tommasinianus and Chionodoxa, five to a pot. These can then be planted out when in flower, which is when you can see where gaps are and where the flowers should be,” Chipps says. DESIGN Chipps has used topiary and evergreens to provide structure. “Structure is vital to a garden,” she says, “as half the year is devoid of flowers. Keep formality near the house; allow the planting and structure to soften towards the edge of the garden in a gradual transition between man’s manicuring and the wilder countryside.” task. Luckily Charles came to the rescue with a digger and today the Sunken Garden is a quiet oasis of water and bog-loving plants such as blue Iris sibirica, Gunnera tinctoria, Angelica, yellow skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), fritillaries, hostas and candelabra Primula. “The Sunken Garden is probably my favourite part of the garden,” reveals Chipps. “It attracts birds, bees and butterflies. Long-tailed tits and even a tiny goldcrest visit the pond.” The entire garden is surrounded by a handsome stone wall. Two individual sets of ornamental gates set into the wall each lead to a wildflower meadow interspersed with fruit trees. Mown paths wind casually through the long grass punctuated by wild flowers where bees work industriously in the hives, kept by Chipps since 2010. “It is a lovely symbiotic thing. It is super seeing my bees working in the garden,” she adds. A stately greenhouse flanked by topiary overlooks low box ramparts which divide the vegetable garden. The vegetable garden is intersected by mown paths and softened with arches, some with apple trees trained over them and others planted with abundant Clematis ‘Perle d’Azur’ and ‘Duchess of Albany’ which climb through purple and silver-leaved vines, climbing roses and golden hop (Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’). “A potager style garden makes sense,” explains Chipps. A ready supply of farmyard manure enriches the soil where Allium cristophii and later dahlias provide bolts of floriferous colour. Chipps sources dahlias from Sarah Raven, who is sharing her knowledge at a forthcoming workshop in the lecture barn at Oxleaze later in the year. In the sundial garden near the house, the wedding cake tree (Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’) overlooks a stone seat set within a neat clipped box bench. Further harmonious planting is achieved nearby with vigorous pink ‘Raubritter’ roses growing through the creamy white flowers of Philadelphus ‘Belle Étoile’. “A match made in heaven when nature took the upper hand,” remarks Chipps. Favourite rose varieties include the blush-pink shrub rose ‘Felicia’ and velvety purple ‘Munstead Wood’. Chipps inherited her love of gardening from her grandmother. “When you have a garden of your own, a passing interest turns into a passion,” Chipps observes. The gardens open by appointment. Filkins, Lechlade, Gloucestershire GL7 3RB. Tel: 01367 850216; thecoach-house.com Paths wind through long grass punctuated by wild flowers where bees work industriously Above Abundant beds of mixed shrubs, carefully shaped yew and clipped box line the walk to the potting shed.
OXLEAZE FARM NOTEBOOK A relaxed garden where plants set seed around rustic features for charming country style SPACES FOR SUMMER ENTERTAINING Chipps and Charles enjoy entertaining in the garden and have created several areas in which to enjoy alfresco dining. The Cotswold stone terrace in front of the house overlooks the lawn and is planted with Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica) surrounded by box domes and Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea. SUNDIAL GARDEN The formal sundial garden beside the house is mainly green and planted with variegated Euphorbia, Philadelphus, Buddleja alternifolia, yew and box, and presided over by Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’. SELF-SEEDING FLOWERS In the terrace and sundial gardens, self-seeded flowers appear abundantly. The most prolific include Icelandic poppies, Campanula, Sisyrinchium striatum and Erigeron karvinskianus. THE GARDEN GATE The heavy old iron and oak gate leading from the garden towards the orchard oers a glimpse into a wilder part of the garden. This unique gate bears a satisfying rusticity and is fashioned from responsibly sourced oak. It was made by Winterborne Zelston Fencing in Dorset. Tel: 01929 459245; winterbornezelstonfencing.co.uk ■ LECTURE NOTES Charles and Chipps host various events on their farm and welcome groups to the garden throughout summer. Sarah Raven visits the farm to speak on bulbs and the harvest garden on 18 and 19 October respectively. For details and to book see sarahraven.com 60 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017
Growers of the finest quality bulbs and plants since 1860 Negrita Pretty Princess Avignon Mount Tacoma Blushing Girl Little Girl Favourites of the English Show Gardens PICTURED HERE, are some of the year-on-year favourite Tulips chosen by many of the show gardens up and down the country. Interestingly, these varieties have also become Bloms Bulbs’ best sellers to the gardener. Why? it may be just that gardeners are still being inspired by their splendour at the shows, but also that they are well proven and top quality success stories, ensuring the hard work of preparation and planting in your garden, is truly rewarded. As one of the founding growers at the Keukenhof gardens, Bloms Bulbs offer the highest quality bulbs available and each variety is grown, trialled and shown, ensuring gardeners receive well proven bulbs from exactly the same stocks as those exhibited at award winning displays. Bloms Bulbs autumn collection is out now! The autumn collection, of course, includes the year-on-year favourite Tulips, as well as an array of new varieties and other spring flowering bulbs, promising to inspire this year’s spring planting. fie autumn catalogue is available by calling 01234 709099, or by emailing: [email protected] just ask to be added to the mailing list! www.blomsbulbs.com Abu Hassan Paul Scherer National Velvet Princess Irene Beauty of Spring Crystal Star 1948-2016 WINNER OF 65 GOLD MEDALS AT RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW You can order your spring bulbs today! choosing when you would like them delivered, by visiting ... Favourites of the English Show Gardens
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The gardens at Ardmaddy Castle in Argyll were once a trial ground for rhododendrons but, after 45 years in the care of Minette and Charles Struthers, they now form a nurtured, tranquil setting WORDS GREG LOADES PHOTOGRAPHS RAY COX ENDURING LOVE A R D M A D D Y CASTLE Nestling in a sheltered, coastal position, Ardmaddy Castle dates from 1737, but incorporates the vaulted basement of a 15th-century castle. JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 63
64 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 T HE ARDMADDY ESTATE HAS HAD ITS fair share of historical tumult. In the mid-17th century, the estate was owned by the Earl of Argyll, after he seized it from its former owners, the MacDougalls of Lorne. The Earl led a failed uprising against King Charles II and was executed for his part in it in 1685. Later, Ardmaddy was used to imprison Jacobites after a failed uprising of 1745. Fast forward a quarter of a millennium and tumult is replaced with tranquility. Crisp views of a calm sea to the west of the estate, backed by the high hill of the Isle of Scarba, are framed by the bright early summer blossom of the rhododendron, the glorious bastion of so many of Scotland’s finest gardens. Surrounded by woodland on three sides, with the west opened up to the usually calm waters, this is a garden of serenity, never more so than in May. The garden’s fine collection of rhododendrons leaves an indelible mark at this time, and they have their own intriguing history. Ardmaddy’s walled garden was rented to tenants after the Second World War and one of these was Above With hills and woodland sheltering much of the garden, and its west-coast location, Ardmaddy boasts a mild microclimate. Bill Davidson, a solicitor from Edinburgh who used the land to indulge in his hobby of hybridising rhododendrons, which thrived in the estate’s acidic soil. Bill used the land as his trial ground and devoted an acre-and-a-half of the garden to growing rhododendrons. Sitting in a mild microclimate, unlikely to be hit as badly by frost and snow as gardens to the north and east, it was the perfect site for experimentation. The Estate was owned at this time by Major Jim Struthers, who passed it on to his son Charles in 1962. Charles and his wife, Minette, built up a holiday cottage business on the estate and, some 10
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 65 Above Original box hedging and mature trees are a legacy of Ardmaddy’s previous incarnations. Left Minette Struthers moved here in 1962. years later, Bill moved to the Scottish borders, taking most of his rhododendron collection with him. With the garden having been emptied of its main planting, this experimental ground was let to local enthusiasts as four allotment plots, but after a couple of years, enthusiasm waned and the ground reverted to nature’s inclination, as brambles and perennial weeds encroached and enveloped the space. At Ardmaddy there is a rhododendron in flower every month of the year
66 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 Behind the garden, the hill of the Isle of Scarba helps visitors keep their bearings as they meander through the rhododendrons.
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 67 The only plants of note in the one-and-a-halfacre walled garden were the remaining rhododendrons – Bill left his largest plants behind – and the original structural box hedges. Charles and Minette had to make a decision. “It was ‘Do we let the sheep in or do we garden?’” recalls Minette. The latter was chosen, although she concedes that the garden’s development had a slow beginning. Minette and Charles had to focus their attention on renovating the house, and the garden couldn’t be made a priority in terms of financial investment. “If I wanted £5 to spend on plants, it was too much,” says Minette of this time. Instead, friends and relatives donated plants and cuttings and these were to be the sum total of the new additions to the garden for the first decade. Although the majority of the rhododendrons had been removed, Bill left an enduring legacy: at Ardmaddy, there is a rhododendron in flower almost every month of the year. But as to the names, many are unknown and have never been widely cultivated. Bill would sell some of his rhododendron hybrids to friends but never embarked on a full-scale commercial programme of breeding and selling. Various experts have visited the garden to help identify the cultivars, and Bill himself has revisited the garden, but his memory failed him and so some remain unnamed. As work restoring the castle and outbuildings progressed, Minette was able to buy a few plants. She sourced these in tens from a commercial grower, which allowed her to plant in groups and sell the spares at the door. “At the time I wanted anything except rhododendrons,” she recalls. Bravely deciding to open the garden for charity in the late 1970s, Minette says she nearly killed herself making the garden half presentable, only to see it pour with rain on the day; hardly a soul turned up. Unperturbed, she then opened the garden for two days a week as part of local open garden days. “It is a two-mile drive on a single track to the garden so I used to give Charles the sign to put out when he went to work and then hope that he would remember to bring it back when he came home. Then it just got to the stage when we didn’t take the sign down.” Forty years after that resolution, it is still open to the public. “As you travel along the drive to approach Clockwise from top The ornate octagonal tower is a Victorian addition to the castle; white alliums burst from borders; views over the calm waters of Ardmaddy Bay; aquilegias are an early-summer favourite, guaranteed to fill gaps with colourful blooms.
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JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 69 Ardmaddy, you look down onto the walled garden. I always think that if the drivers are in a bit of a nervous state after two miles of driving on a single track road, the view makes up for it.” The house sits on a rocky knoll overlooking the garden and six islands, so people touring the garden below don’t impinge on Minette and Charles’ privacy. “Looking back now, I recollect how empty the garden was in the early days,” Minette reminisces. “I am more ruthless now. If a plant is looking tired I will take it out, whereas early on there were so few plants that I would give them all a second chance before taking them out. Now I realise how much the trees and shrubs that we planted have grown.” In hindsight, Minette wishes she had started a replacement programme for the rhododendrons, because she is now faced with some old specimens that are losing their lustre. One silver lining of this is that as the old stems have become bare and leggy, Minette has been able to underplant them with ground cover perennials. When the garden was used for breeding rhododendrons, the area around the base of the plants was sprayed with a systemic weedkiller. “You could say it was ‘immaculately kept’ but Above As the rhododendrons have aged, Minette has started underplanting their leggy stems. Right Large-leaved Rodgersia thrives by one of the garden’s ponds. Looking back now, I recollect how empty the garden was in the early days. I am more ruthless now than I was then
70 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 SUMMER BLOOMERS Inheriting a garden that had spring as its main season of interest, Minette was keen to include more summerflowering plants. Airy perennial Thalictrum aquilegifolium is perfectly suited, faring well in moist, acid soil and unveiling its fluy pink blossom. HARD WORKERS Planting Clematis through rhododendrons is of one Minette’s favourite tricks for making the large amount of space the rhododendrons occupy work harder. Doing so also creates contrasting colour combinations. CENTURY-OLD BOX Box hedges demarcate the six rectangular sections into which the garden is split. The hedges are at least 100 years old and, despite the occasional late frost after they have had their early summer prune causing a little damage, they have proved to be disease free. NATURAL PONDS Thick clay is prevalent along the seashore on the Ardmaddy Estate. The clay was used to form a natural lining for this pond, one of two in the garden. Damp-loving Rodgersia, Ligularia and candelabra primulas thrive here. ARDMADDY CASTLE NOTEBOOK Old features and new additions are skilfully merged in this mature, well-settled garden we stopped using weedkiller when we took over the garden.” Combining difierent types of plants in a confined space is a favourite trick of Minette’s. “I like growing climbers through things. After they’ve flowered most rhododendrons can fade into the background in the garden, so I plant climbers underneath them.” Minette’s pièce de résistance is a Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris growing up a sycamore tree. “I kept hearing that nothing would grow up it and people kept telling me it wouldn’t work but it has. When they are both in full leaf, it is a mix of true green and lime green.” Minette gardened on her own, with the help of a handyman, until two years ago, when she took on a full-time gardener, John McLean, whom she describes as fantastic help. “This is very much a working garden and a home garden. As you walk around you will see a polytunnel and the compost heaps. I sometimes look at some gardens open to the public and you never see any sign of anybody working. Our garden isn’t like that. It has a ‘lived in’ feeling.” And having lived and breathed the garden for the last 45 years after inheriting another gardener’s legacy, Minette and Charles have now created one of their own. ■ The garden is open year round, with an honesty box, from 9am to dusk. Ardmaddy Castle, Oban PA34 4QY. Tel: 01852 300353; ardmaddy.co.uk Below Many of the Bill Davidson hybrid rhododendrons are unnamed but they can be relied upon for delivering vivid colour.
Beautiful gardens waiting to be discovered The 12th Century Leeds Castle sits within 500 acres of magnificent parkland and formal gardens. Amongst many horticultural delights, visitors will discover tranquil woodland walks, exotic Mediterranean terraced gardens and the beautiful cottage style ‘Culpeper Garden’ with shapes, colours and scents to enjoy across the seasons. Weekly garden tours available between April and September. leeds-castle.com 28096J1 LC Gardens TEG 129h x 202.indd 1 29/03/2017 11:37
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G A R D E N E R S ’ COTTAGE For Jim Buckland, head gardener at West Dean Gardens in West Sussex, tending the small, intimate garden around his home is a satisfying complement to a demanding day job WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS NICOLA STOCKEN A Gardener’s GARDEN A circular lawn forms the heart of this garden and from it radiate several paths. JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 73
74 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 A T FIRST LIGHT, THERE IS A SENSE OF theatre about Jim Buckland’s garden. As shafts of light illuminate an ancient stone column rising above a wildflower mound, they radiate through a leafy canopy to penetrate labyrinthine paths that converge on this central stage. “I see the garden as a series of scenes, and it feels rather like walking on and off a stage as you pass through the different spaces,” explains Jim from his small, serene and secluded retreat in West Sussex. It is home to Jim and his wife, Sarah Wain, the head-gardener duo at West Dean Gardens. It was 1991, shortly after the Great Storm had wreaked havoc throughout the historic gardens, when the couple arrived and tirelessly embarked upon an extensive restoration of the arboretum, glasshouses and gardens. Somehow, along the way, Jim has found time to create a personal, private garden around their 18th-century cottage. “People don’t believe me, but this garden is completely me – Sarah just lets me get on with it,” he insists. Cocooned in mature trees that part to reveal glimpses of the South Downs, Jim’s fifth-of-anacre garden may be small, but it has great presence. “There is a strong evergreen bone structure created from holly, box or yew topiary, as well as some lovely specimen trees that define the space vertically – they really make the garden,” he adds. The trees, including birch, Cornus, Aralia, yew, conifers and a tulip tree, cast welcome shade, filtering the high light levels prevalent in this area, and highlighting different textures and foliage during the day. “My main focus is on foliage and structure – flowers are ephemeral.” Above The formality of clipped yew and box contrasts with the mound of wildflowers in the centre of the lawn. Left Jim Buckland and Sarah Wain.
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 75 The garden was originally laid out by Jim’s predecessor, Ivan Hicks, and apart from a few tweaks, is little changed. “The circular lawn is a very attractive feature, and so much more interesting than a square rectangle of grass. I don’t see the point of change for change’s sake,” adds Jim. He sees the circular lawn as an axis around which the garden turns, with five paths leading off, punctuated with two yews to each side that break into the circle of box hedging. “Box hedging acts as a corset, defining the edges and preventing it from being diffuse,” he points out. Each pathway is different in character. An old gate in a high boundary wall frames the first view of the garden, leading the eye along an open paved path lined in leafy plants such as ferns, euphorbias, heucheras, hostas, arums and Acanthus. “I rely on a limited palette of plants that will grow well, with relatively little care and attention,” says Jim. The next path along is crowded in from both sides by Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum x hybridum). Directly opposite the cottage – described by Jim as having the naive charm of a child’s drawing of a house – a short, straight path leads to a bench set Above Loungers wait in the perfect spot for an afternoon rest. Left A collection of succulents in pots shelters at the foot of a low flint-and-brick wall.
76 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 into a tall box hedge. “There are a few lovely seating areas, but in practice I rarely have time to sit in them. If I do, it is usually in the steamer chair, on a warm summer’s day, when I’ll have an hour’s nap after work.” The bench overlooks beds of Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’, Geranium sylvaticum ‘Album’, Solomon’s seal, Gladiolus byzantinus, and Aconitum napellus. Clumps of Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ are peppered through the beds. The next path passes beneath an arch swathed in Virginia creeper, and winds between shade-loving hostas, London pride, ferns and Trachystemon orientalis, a leafy perennial that even copes under conifers. “It comes early into leaf and flower, and is looking tired by mid-June,” explains Jim. “So, I cut it back to the rhizomes, water well, and it shoots afresh.” Nestling in some of the least hospitable places is Podophyllum ‘Spotty Dotty’, an unusual spotty-leaved herbaceous woodland plant that thrives in dry shade. “I can’t grow any grey-leaved plants – they tend to originate from Top Viewed from above, the garden’s simple, spoke-like layout of paths is clear to see. Middle Pendent flowers of Solomon’s seal. Left Echeveria knit together to create a mat of fleshy leaves Far left The perfectly symmetrical leaf rosette of Aeonium.
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 77 PLANTS AT GARDENERS’ COTTAGE Vibrant shots of colour and unusual plants mix with cottage-garden stalwarts TULBAGHIA LEUCANTHA An unusual bulb that originates from South Africa and produces scented flowers in May above grass-like leaves. ALLIUM ‘PURPLE SENSATION’ A justly popular cultivar known for its vibrant, deep purple globe-shaped flowers, reliably produced in late spring. ANTHRISCUS SYLVESTRIS Cow parsley lends an informal look when it flowers in May and June. Deadhead to prevent rampant self-seeding. IRIS ‘JANE PHILLIPS’ Appearing in May and June, the richly coloured blooms of this Iris, held on 85cm-tall stems, have good perfume. GERANIUM SYLVATICUM ‘ALBUM’ This hardy Geranium can always be relied upon for flowers that lighten tricky dark and shady spots. GERANIUM ‘MAYFLOWER’ Expect masses of violet-blue flowers on this Geranium sylvaticum cultivar that is perfect for sun or light shade. EUPHORBIA CORNIGERA Try this fast-growing perennial spurge for dots of bright, acidic colour when its bracts appear from May onwards. THALICTRUM AQUILEGIFOLIUM Powder-pu flower heads of mauvepink top stems that reach 1m tall, above clumps of foliage akin to Aquilegia. GLADIOLUS BYZANTINUS This gorgeous Gladiolus species produces vivid magenta flower spikes, and is hardy in well-drained soil.
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JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 79 the Mediterranean, and like intense sunlight,” he explains of the shady garden. The fifth and final path leads through the sunniest part of the garden in front of the house, past roses, Thalictrum, Clematis, bearded irises, chives and hardy geraniums, before arriving at a dining table, a lovely spot to eat outdoors. Nearby, to the side of the house, is a courtyard garden with a collection of pot-grown succulents, hostas and ferns, and a round pool. “I wanted it to be relatively formal, and rather had to shoehorn it into the space,” he explains. “Sadly, it has proved diffcult to maintain, and always seems to be on the verge of going green.” The irregularly shaped courtyard is ingeniously landscaped, so it is no surprise to learn that, before training in horticulture, Jim was a bricklayer. “Nothing is square, but by running the paving diagonally, it detracts from the lack of symmetry,” he explains. Ordinary paving slabs are dressed up with a framing of red bricks that echo the colour of the terracotta pots. Jim and Sarah have amassed a large collection of tender succulents with exotic-sounding varieties of Sedum, Aeonium and Echeveria. “We just started collecting them on a whim. They’re handsome plants, very satisfying to grow, and need little care, provided you protect them from frost.” For many professional gardeners, coming home to yet more gardening is anathema, but Jim’s role at West Dean Gardens involves considerable administrative minutiae rather than hands-on gardening. “I love gardening on an intimate scale, engaging with the soil and plants,” he says. “And, if I have one talent, it is for continuous hard graft. A garden is really important to me because I need to live in beautiful surroundings. It is uplifting to the soul.” ■ Gardeners’ Cottage opens in aid of the National Garden Scheme on 14 May, 11am-5pm. Gardeners’ Cottage, West Dean, Chichester, Sussex PO18 0RX. See ngs.org.uk Above A circular pool is set into paving. Red bricks laid on the diagonal help disguise the irregular shape of the courtyard. SHELTERED ALCOVE When Jim first placed a bench at the bottom of the garden against the fence, it was rather chilly. So, he planted box hedging and gradually shaped it to enclose the bench on three sides. “It is pretty robust, so I can cut it during winter,” he says. THE MOUND Created by Ivan Hicks from unwanted spoil left over after digging out a pond, it is topped with a stone column installed by Jim. By early summer, both mound and column are engulfed in wildflowers such as buttercups and cow parsley. A STAGE FOR PLANTS There is a consistency of presentation throughout the garden, with much to stimulate the eye and senses. In this corner, Jim uses a small garden bench as staging for tulbaghias and succulents. It is a take on an auricula theatre, with an old iron gate creating a backdrop. STRIKING LAYERS One of the most striking trees in the early summer garden is a mature Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis), which breaks out in layer upon layer of creamy white bracts that eventually become pinkish-red. GARDENERS’ COTTAGE NOTEBOOK Plants are the stars in this garden, whether they have a specific function or are purely ornamental
Plants and planting Discover more about different varieties and pick up wonderful ideas for your own garden “The English Garden is a constant reminder of the beauty of English gardens, and keeps alive not only the British tradition of gardening but the passion that all gardeners feel for the plants and fl owers that do so well in our cool temperate climate. Here’s to the next 20 years!”– Alan Titchmarsh 48 THE ENGLISH GARDEN AUGUST 2016 Transforming the garden at Fairstowe was never going to be a short-term project, with stonemason Steve Whetton spending countless months building sections of terracing and steps and continuing to return to complete new projects. Almost a decade has passed since David first set to work on transforming the garden and he is pleased with the way in which it is gradually maturing and gently merging with the countryside around it. “The garden has evolved greatly and we keep making tweaks as we go along,” he says. “It gradually gets wilder the further we move from the house.” Planting is designed to provide colour throughout the year, beginning with gentle, muted tones in spring. These gradually turn to blazing reds and oranges as summer progresses, with dahlias, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, Knautia macedonica and penstemons among the flowers used to increase the intensity of planting. Today the garden extends to around three-and-a-half acres and performs a variety of roles throughout the year: it is a venue for entertaining, relaxing and contemplating, as well as a playground for David and Karin’s grandchildren. “To us the garden is a joy,” says David, who maintains it with the help of a team of gardeners led by Neil Ross. “I love being out here early in the morning – or sitting with a gin and tonic watching the sun go down at the end of the day. I am very proud of what we have achieved over the past 10 years." Fairstowe is open by appointment for group tours. To arrange a visit write to: Fairstowe, Prospect Road, Bath BA2 6AY. Clockwise from top left Dahlia ‘Mambo’ bears deep pink petals; waterfalls are powered by pumps and make the most of the slope; statues add serenity to the Zen garden. FEATURE_Fairstowe.indd 48-49 THE ENGLISH GARDEN £4.30 For everyone who loves beautiful gardens OCTOBER 2016 Autumn inspiration O BORDER advice from Waterperry O Get your LAWN ready for winter O Clever tricks for BOUNDARIES O Top 10 plants with FIERY foliage www.theenglishgarden.co.uk Glowing grasses and vibrant perennials JAPANESE MAPLES Small garden trees with the brightest leaves ART SIMPLICITY Crisply designed gardens with autumn appeal The of Cover3_Oct.indd 1 02/09/2016 14:54 Credit / Debit Card or Cheque: 13 issues for £42.50 - SAVING 35% + FREE GIFT UK: Direct Debit: 13 issues for £39.50 - SAVING 40% + FREE GIFT Overseas: Credit Card or Cheque: 13 issues for £49.50 - SAVING 34% NO GIFT Privacy Policy: The English Garden may send you details of our products and services which we think would be of interest to you. Please tick if you do not wish to receive such o ers . Occasionally we may pass your details to selected companies. 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82 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 DESIGN GUIDE | LONDON
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 83 When designer Jo Thompson first visited her new client’s garden in west London, she faced a blank canvas of a grassy rectangle, 20m long by 7m wide and empty of plants or structures. But she quickly discovered that it would be an unusually challenging project. The garden was overlooked at the back and sides, and there was an overhanging mature tree in a neighbour’s plot that was casting shade across the middle of it. Then there was the client’s brief. She wanted a garden that was full of flowers, especially roses; she wanted a pizza oven and space for herself and her five sons, who were in their teens and twenties, to entertain their friends; she didn’t want to see the whole garden at one glance, and she didn’t want to wait too long to enjoy the floral exuberance of a romantic flower garden. Jo’s first response was to divide the garden into four difflerent areas, placing a terrace at each end, which would provide separate seating and dining areas, and creating a grid of predominantly rectangular beds between and around them, to contain the profusion of plants the client had requested. She staggered these borders, so that the view to the bottom of the garden, where the oven is sited, would be partially obscured from the ground Jo Thompson designed a multipurpose space that appeals to its rose-loving owner, and her five sons Setting Boundaries WORDS ANNIE GATTI PHOTOGRAPHS RACHEL WARNE
84 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 DESIGN GUIDE | LONDON floor kitchen, which is the heart of the house and opens on to the garden via bi-fold doors. Next she addressed the need for more privacy. “I knew that overhead structures would cut the line of vision from the overlooking houses, but it was a question of what those overhead structures would be,” says Jo. “Putting oak pergolas in such an urban setting, or anything too ornate, wouldn’t have worked because the focus would have been on them. I wanted something that looked as if it extended from the house, so we chose a pergola that would mimic the frame of the bi-fold kitchen doors.” The first pergola extends across the width of the garden, while the second one, which marks the boundary of the end terrace where the pizza oven is located, is in two sections and has a more open design. “I wanted to signal that you’re moving into a difflerent area here,” explains Jo. The room that leads into the end terrace offlers the only change of level in the garden: two bespoke curved benches, placed facing each other, asymmetrically, on either side of the stepping-stone path, create the retaining walls for raised beds. A pair of espalier apple trees marks the informal boundary between this room and the most richly planted part of the garden, which has space for just two chairs against the sunny brick wall. The generous terrace next to the kitchen has room for a table and chairs, and a collection of terracotta pots which the client plants up every year for summer colour. Additional privacy is provided by bespoke Right Geraniums and roses create an English garden feel in a generously sized border. Below The terrace nearest the house has ample room for seating. slatted fence panels on the boundaries – an expensive but worthwhile choice as the slats allow light to filter through. “If it were a solid fence,” explains Jo, “it would feel like you were in a large box.” It also provides height for the climbers to grow into. Jo and her client had long discussions about the planting list, which focusses on roses and Clematis, with perennial stalwarts such as geraniums, Astrantia, Salvia ‘Caradonna’, Iris ‘Blue Rhythm’, Cirsium rivulare, Echinops, Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’, Alchemilla mollis and Thalictrum delavayi providing interest throughout summer. The client very much wanted to garden and in high season spends about two hours every weekend tying in, deadheading and watering. She knew exactly which roses she wanted and gave Jo a wish list of varieties, many of them pink. Some roses have been wildly successful – ‘New Dawn’, ‘Snow Goose’, ‘Rambling Rector’ and ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ – while others from the wish list, such as Rosa moschata, have refused to flower, and have since been taken out.
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 85 This is a garden that struts its stufi from May until September, which is when Jo’s client and her sons want to use it. It needs a fair bit of pruning two or three times a year and annual mulching of the beds means that growth has been luxuriant in the five years since it was planted. The grass, which the client determinedly re-seeds, is undoubtedly a struggle, mainly because of the shade from the neighbouring tree, and also because the garden is used far more than she or Jo ever anticipated. Both are amazed at the number of 20-somethings who walk in and say: “This is so beautiful”. Above Astrantia major thrives in dappled light. Left A pretty corner, with rose ‘Gertrude Jekyll’. Far left Sweet peas clamber through the garden, and add scent. FACT FILE ■Design Jo Thompson. Tel: 01580 201593; jothompson-garden-design.co.uk ■Contractor Shoots and Leaves. Tel: 020 8563 7733; shootsandleaves.co.uk ■Pergolas and benches Shoots and Leaves. Tel: 020 8563 7733; shootsandleaves.co.uk ■Lighting Adjustable lights by Hunza. Tel: 01299 269950; lightideas.co.uk ■Fence panels Shoots and Leaves. For similar try The Garden Trellis Co. Tel: 01255 688361; gardentrellis.co.uk ■Paving Porcelain paving slabs and tumbled sandstone setts, London Stone. Tel: 01753 212 950; londonstone.co.uk
86 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 DESIGN GUIDE | LONDON Design Details Pizza oven Jo and her client wanted to keep the chimney as close to the wall as possible, to maximize the space for food preparation and dining, so they opted for a simple shape with a flat front. The curved opening in the base makes a sheltered store for the wood, and granite shelving on the boundary wall provides surfaces for cooking utensils. The Valoriani oven, once it reaches its optimum temperature, cooks pizzas in just over a minute. Furniture The 19th-century oval metal table and chairs on the end terrace were bought by the client at an antiques fair. She found complementary metal chairs and small tables at Ikea which, when used with cushions, are surprisingly comfortable, she says. After a couple of years, she found their white colour too dominant and has since had all the furniture commercially sprayed, in a mellow shade of grey-green, which she finds more restful. Pergola The contemporary pergola is made from powdercoated steel in the same shade of gun metal grey as the bi-fold kitchen doors. Climbing plants can be tied into the steel wires that extend across the top of the frame. Planting A range of taller plants, such as Cirsium rivulare, Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’, Echinops ritro ‘Veitch’s Blue’ and Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Fascination’, provide a veiled efflect as you look down the garden which also helps to increase the sense of profusion. Jo specified roses such as ramblers ‘Félicité Perpétue’ and ‘Adélaïde d’Orléans’ and climbing ‘New Dawn’ for the pergolas for their elegant tumbling habit. Climbers that flower on the shadier side include ‘Madame Alfred Carrière’ and ‘The Generous Gardener’. Pots The client plants up a selection of terracotta plants for additional colour. She experiments with combinations, but increasingly she likes to mix Salvia ‘Caradonna’ with pink-carmine Argyranthemum and Helichrysum microphyllum. Terraces Tumbled sandstone setts were chosen for the more informal look they give to the end terrace. Their sandy colour tones well with the London stock brickwork, and it provides a more forgiving surface for the cooking area. The larger porcelain slabs on the first terrace tone with the pale tiles in the kitchen. A seamless efflect is created by lining up the terrace tiles with the kitchen ones. Benches The bespoke curved benches have a base of blockwork faced with London stock brick, to blend with the existing brick walls, and are topped with meranti hardwood which is also used for the bespoke slatted fencing panels. At 75cm at their deepest, these benches comfortably seat four or five people each. ■ Above Containers of seasonal bedding bring extra colour during the summer months. Below A flat-fronted pizza oven takes up the least amount of space. Below left Wide brick benches, topped with hardwood, provide roomy seating.
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JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 89 SUMMERHOUSES Katherine Sorrell considers the options for a comfortable, good-looking garden retreat, whether intended for entertaining, work or quiet relaxation A Garden Escape WORDS KATHERINE SORRELL IMAGE GAP PHOTOS/MAXINE ADCOCK HOME FROM HOME Generously sized, this chalet-style summerhouse enjoys a substantial wooden deck on which you could easily set up a deckchair or two for a drink in the sunshine while admiring your hard work in the garden. Large windows allow plenty of light inside, while the blue and white paintwork is smart without being jarring, although paint options to suit the colour scheme in your garden are limitless. For similar, try the Morston summerhouse, from £3,300, cranegardenbuildings.co.uk
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JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 91 Agarden shed is all very well for storing the lawnmower, boxes of nails and spare inner tubes. Tucked inconspicuously in the corner of your garden, it is a humble workhorse; the epitome of functionality. But why not be more ambitious and add a useful building that is outside yet inside, attractive and comfortable; a shelter that prolongs the season for which you can socialise and dine outdoors, or even one that provides a year-round work space? In short, a fully functioning garden room. Garden buildings take many forms, from a small timber summerhouse that is simply one step up from a traditional shed to an all-singing and dancing permanent structure that you could live in. They include gazebos and log cabins, hobbit-like pods and gypsy wagons, Bedouin tents and thatched rotundas: in short, virtually anything your imagination and budget can conjure up. You can buy them ofi-the-shelf, have them made from scratch to your own design or customise a standard model to your needs. Cost aside (a modest afiair might set you back less than £1,000, but anything large and lavish can easily move into five figures) your first considerations will be how much space you have available and what purpose the garden room will fulfil. Often, it is simply somewhere to relax after a few hours potting-up and weeding, to escape with a good book and a glass of wine and enjoy a view of the garden. But you may have more serious intentions: perhaps you will throw parties there, or use it as a spare bedroom on occasion. Or you might require a properly equipped home offlce, gym, music room or art studio, with storage and perhaps an area for small meetings. At this point, it is worth bearing in mind that it is sometimes necessary to obtain planning permission for a new outdoor structure – seek advice before you buy, from your retailer or your local authority. For some garden rooms security is important – so glass rather than plastic windows (maybe even double glazed), a sturdy door, high quality ironmongery and a proper lock are all desirable. You may want heating, lighting and even a water connection, in which case, unless you plan to go ofi-grid with solar or wind power, you should take account of how easy it will be to bring the supplies across from your home. The swishest outdoor buildings ofier fully insulated floor, walls and roof, underfloor heating, electric lights and power sockets, but there are no limits on what you can add: think en suite bathroom, green roof or surround-sound cinema, for example. On the other hand, simplicity is delightful, whether in the form of a cute shepherd’s hut with an armchair and a wood burner, a romantic tent with fairy lights and bunting or a classic gazebo with a tiled roof and weathervane. The options really are endless. The garden room may be a fairly recent innovation, but it looks as if it is here to stay. SUMMERHOUSES Often it is somewhere to relax, escape with a good book and enjoy a view of the garden A well-conceived summerhouse, whether grand or modest in scale, will enhance almost any garden setting. IMAGE GAP PHOTOS/NICOLA STOCKEN
92 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 SUMMERHOUSES VINTAGE CHIC Made from corrugated tin with original salvaged windows and doors, a custom-made ‘tin tabernacle’ has a highly distinctive style, and can be fitted with sophisticated interior fittings and decoration to order. Bespoke tabernacle, from £17,500, lovelanecaravans.co.uk OCTAGONAL ASPECTS With leaded lights and a timeless octagonal shape, this classic summerhouse allows all-round views from inside, and a sociably circular seating arrangement. It is lined and insulated for year-round use. Wiveton summerhouse, from £9,700, cranegardenbuildings.co.uk A MODERN POD These precision-built, cedar-clad pods are packed with insulation and built for durability, warmth and weatherproofing, with double-glazing and electrics as standard. Decor and furnishings are by a professional interior design company. Garden Pod, from £19,950, gardenhideouts.co.uk POOLSIDE LUXURY This architect-designed swimming pool pavilion within a listed walled garden is built from Cotswold stone, with oak posts on saddle stones and a slate roof. Choose materials that match the house and local vernacular for outbuildings that blend with the landscape. See yiangou.com
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 93 IN THE SHADE A sheltered spot for relaxation outdoors, this gazebo with a cedar shingle roof and pretty arches is available with six or eight sides, bench seating and in a choice of paint colours. It is the perfect retreat to escape hot midsummer sun. Sunbury gazebo, from £5,790, gardenafiairs.co.uk ON DECK Float above the water in a lakeside summerhouse with double doors and a decked area in front. Create this look inexpensively by buying a basic summerhouse, upgrading the roof with shingles and painting it inside and out. Try the Winchester summerhouse, £349.99, shedsworld.co.uk HIP TO BE SQUARE This square summerhouse with a hipped roof is hand made in western red cedar, with traditional leaded glass. Glazed on three sides for plenty of light, it would suit both urban and rural gardens. The Richmond, from £6,500 including installation, chelseasummerhouses.co.uk A GOOD FIT Designed to tuck into a corner, this airy summerhouse features margin detailing on the windows and is available in natural timber or a range of colours. Seating with integral storage is optional. Newhaven corner summerhouse, IMAGE from £6,250, scottsofthrapston.co.uk GAP PHOTOS/HEATHER EDWARDS
94 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 SUMMERHOUSES CLASSIC ORDER If you wish for something rather more permanent in your garden than a wooden structure, how about a stone pavilion in classic Graeco-Roman style, with pillars and a gracefully angled pediment? For similar, try the cast stone Pavilion L9300, £7,686, haddonstone.com SHEPHERD’S HUT These distinctive wheeled shelters with a curved roof and corrugated-tin walls were once part of our farming landscape; now they make appealing garden spaces, often fitted with a wood-burner for extra comfort. Try the Plankbridge Classic, from £22,225.20, plankbridge.com GYPSY CARAVAN Romany gypsies started to live in horsedrawn caravans in the mid-19th century. Today, a brightly painted bowtop caravan makes a dramatic addition to a garden, and a delightful hideaway, too. For handmade, towable bowtop wagons (POA), try gregsgypsybowtops.co.uk UNDER CANVAS For contemporary style and a laid-back, boho vibe, a Bedouin tent-like awning makes a great sheltercum-social area, especially when kitted out with banquette seating and lots of colourful cushions. For similar, you could commission a bespoke Sky Shade from albioncanvas.co.uk ■ IMAGE GAP PHOTOS: MARK BOLTON/HOWARD RICE/ABIGAIL REX/LYNN KEDDIE
Now grass is growing strongly, lawnmowers across the country are busy working to keep lawns looking their very best for summer. The quintessential British striped lawn is idealised across the world, and in celebration of this, Allett Mowers, a leading British manufacturer of cylinder, walk-behind mowers – the ultimate tool for creating perfect stripes – invites you to show o your lawn to find the most creative grass stripes and patterns in 2017. The competition encourages anyone with a flair for creativity and pride in their turf to enter and compete for the title, creating the most aesthetically pleasing striped turf in the world. This year, the winning entry will be judged on creativity by Allett’s team of lawn experts. Final placement will be decided by last year’s winner, Jonathan Thompson, Greenkeeper at Mount St John Estate in Thirsk, pictured middle right, receiving first prize for his entry (shown top right). The winner for 2017 will receive an Allett Kensington 17K cylinder lawnmower, along with the Allett Complete Lawn Care System comprising six interchangeable cartridges: an aerator, a scarifier, a lawn brush, a dethatcher, a verticutter and a 10–blade cartridge together with two cartridge stands. The runner-up will receive a brand new Allett Liberty 35. This Lithium Ion battery- powered cylinder lawnmower, launched in 2017, uses the latest advances in new technology to give you all the benefits and convenience of cordless mowing. Free from a trailing electric cable or being tethered to a plug socket, it oers a greener, quieter alternative to help keep your lawn perfectly striped and in prime condition. In addition to the Liberty 35, the runner-up will also receive a scarifier cartridge that can be easily interchanged with the cutting cylinder, as can all the 14” cartridges from the Allett Complete Lawn Care System. This year, to celebrate the launch of the Liberty range, all entrants who meet the entry conditions will be entered into a prize draw, giving everyone a chance to win. The first entrant to be picked random will win a Liberty 30, smaller brother to the Liberty 35. All entries are welcome, regardless of how big or small your lawn is. We will be looking for the most creative, eye-catching design that truly shows o the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into grass maintenance: that special ‘wow’ factor. To enter the competition simply email a photograph of your creation to [email protected] along with your full address and contact details before midnight GMT on 31 August 2017. For more information please visit www.allett.co.uk. 2017 INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE LAWN STRIPES COMPETITION With winter now behind us, lawnmowers across the country are again coming out of hibernation ready to return lawns to their former glory. The quintessentially British striped lawn is idealised across the world and in celebration of this Allett Mowers, a leading British manufacturer of cylinder, walk behind mowers-the ultimate tool for creating perfect stripes, once again invites you to show o your own creation to find the most creative grass stripes and patterns in 2017. The competition encourages anyone with a flair for creativity and pride in their turf to enter and compete for the title, creating the most aesthetically pleasing striped turf in the world. This year the winning entry will be judged on creativity by Allett’s team of lawn experts with final placement decided by Jonathan Thompson, Greenkeeper at a private estate in Thirsk who won the competition last year with his entry shown to the right and receiving his prize below it. The winner for 2017 will again receive an Allett Kensington 17K cylinder lawnmower, along with the ALLETT Complete Lawn Care System of six interchangeable cartridges consisting of an aerator, a scarifier, a lawn brush, a dethatcher, a verticutter and a 10–blade cartridge together with two cartridge stands. The runner up will receive an Allett Liberty 35. This Lithium Ion battery powered cylinder lawnmower, launched in 2017 uses the latest advances in new technology to give you all the benefits and convenience of cordless mowing. Free from trailing or being tethered to an electric cable, it oers a greener, quieter alternative to help keep your lawn perfectly striped and in prime condition. In addition to the Liberty 35 the runner up will also receive a scarifier cartridge which can easily be interchanged with the cutting cylinder as all the 14” cartridges from the Allett Complete Lawn Care System can be. This year to celebrate the launch the Liberty range all entrants who meet the entry conditions will be entered into a draw, the first picked from a hat at random will win a Liberty 30, smaller brother to the Liberty 35 giving everyone a chance to win. All entries are welcome, regardless of how big or small your lawn is. We will be looking for the most creative, eye catching design that truly shows o the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into grass maintenance. That special “wow” factor. To enter the competition simply email a photograph of your creation to [email protected] along with your full address and contact details before midnight GMT on 31 August 2017. For more information please visit www.allett.co.uk. 2017 INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE LAWN STRIPES COMPETITION Kensington 17K Liberty 35 Tel: 01889 271503 Web: www.allett.co.uk Email: [email protected] ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Tel: 01889 271503 Web: www.allett.co.uk Email: [email protected] Kensington 17K Liberty 35
London Road Attleborough Norfolk NR17 1AY 01953 454707 www.classicroses.co.uk • MAIL ORDER • GARDEN CENTRE • DISPLAY GARDENS Rediscover the Romance of Roses... Every rose from our extensive world leading collection is of the fi nest quality and will bring you weeks of pleasure this summer and for many years to come… Order today, from our ever growing collection of ready to plant container roses, with the confi dence that over the past two years, each rose has been lovingly cared for, cultivated and then handpicked especially for you by our experts. Our inspirational catalogue ‘A Treasury of Roses’ is the most comprehensive catalogue you could wish for. To receive your free copy and special welcome offer please visit our website or telephone the nursery quoting EGJ17.
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 97 Classic Design Ideas Gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show spark trends and embrace fashions, but they also feature enduringly stylish elements that work at home, too CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW IMAGE GAP PHOTOS/JS SIRA Every year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, new fashions emerge as the show’s garden designers somehow tap into the zeitgeist of the moment and embrace a new material or an exciting plant. Many gardens at last year’s show had elements in common, from fashionable copper to universally appealing wood and stone. We’ve picked five inspiring themes that ran through gardens at Chelsea 2016 which we predict will be as popular at this year’s show, and illustrate how they can be used at home. Stone, copper and shades of purple feature in a garden designed by Charlie Albone at Chelsea 2016.
98 THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE 2017 Copper has been the metal of choice for interiors for some time, but designers at Chelsea 2016 took it outside. On Nick Bailey’s garden for Winton Capital, an elegant, faceted water bowl by Giles Rayner, inspired by a pine cone, caught everybody’s eye, while the copper-edged rill that ran down the steps on Charlie Albone’s garden for Husqvarna was the perfect complement to geometric, stepped box and angular hornbeams on stilts. Chris Beardshaw chose a coppery-toned bronze sculpture by John O’Connor to form the centrepiece of his show garden, subsequently moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Ever-popular Corten steel, with its rusty, coppery finish, was in evidence, too – chunky blocks formed Copper’s warm colour is an ideal tone for gardens, blending well with leaves in myriad shades of green Burnished metal CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW COPPER GET THE LOOK Play with colour using these lightweight vintage-look planters. Aged copper planter, £75 for a set of three, coxandcox.co.uk Giles Rayner for Nick Bailey Charlie Albone
JUNE 2017 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 99 GET THE LOOK Keep warm after the sun goes down with a brazier. Glasto fire pit, from £60, woodlodge. co.uk. Add a hint of copper with a cloche – and keep slugs and snails o plants. Copperrimmed cloche, £29.99, waitrosegarden.com. Make a statement with a bold copper sculpture. Bite, from £20,240, davidharber.co.uk a water feature in Paul Martin’s Garden for Mindful Living. And on Ann-Marie Powell’s Greening Grey Britain garden for the RHS, copper bird feeders poked playfully from a grassy meadow of Geum and Aquilegia. It is a material that is easy to use in gardens; copper’s warm tones are the perfect complement to the greens of foliage and turf. Copper-finish containers are an easy way to experiment with it at home – or boldly embrace the trend with the addition of a sculpture (try David Harber) or a water feature, such as one from the Burford Garden Company. It is not going to go out of style soon; various designers are using it at this year’s show. The timber pavilion at the heart of Charlotte Harris’ garden for Royal Bank of Canada will be lined with copper, a mineral in which Canada’s IMAGES Boreal region, which inspired her garden, is rich. GAP PHOTOS: ROBERT MABIC/HEATHER EDWARDS/JS SIRA; ALAMY John O’ Connor for Chris Beardshaw Ann-Marie Powell Paul Martin
Buy direct from the manufacturer | Bespoke quality at a competitve price For our brochure or further information contact Quayside Conservatories on 01502 714512 visit our website, or send us an email [email protected] www.quayside-conservatories.co.uk Durable SblHardwood Conservatories Orangeries Lantern Roofs Come and see us at Royal Norfolk Show 28th and 29th June. Sandringham Flower Show 26th July. 934-Hever-Garden-The-English-Garden-99x129-AW.indd 1 04/05/2017 11:01 New English Art Club Annual Exhibition Over 400 new paintings, drawings and prints 16 to 25 June The Mall, London SW1 www.mallgalleries.org.uk Free entry with this voucher NEAC English Garden quarter.indd 1 05/05/2017 16:29