The English Garden

THE ENGLISH GARDEN

READER EXCLUSIVE

Go potty! FREE* plants and fruity offers

Contain yourself this month and add some edible plants in pots to your garden with these great offers, including
five free herbs and five free packets of veg seeds, as well as great deals on a selection of soft and top fruit

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THE ENGLISH GARDEN JUNE OFFER - EGA31

Please send me Code Quantity Price Total Method of payment
5 FREE herbs and veg seed (pay £4.45 postage) £4.45 Cheques payable to ‘The English Garden Offers’
Blueberry ‘Top Hat’ 1 plant 89940 1 FREE OR
Blueberry ‘Top Hat’ 2 plants + 1 FREE (Please delete as applicable) Cheque/Maestro/Mastercard/Visa
4526 £9.49

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‘Honey berry’ 3 young plants 86712 £9.99 Name ...................................................................................
‘Honey berry’ 6 young plants SAVE £4! 86724 £15.98 Address ................................................................................
Mini Red AppleTree 4543 £12.99

MiniYellow AppleTree 4544 £12.99 ........................................................................................................
Mini Pear Tree 4545 £12.99 ...................(.fo..r.d.e.l.iv.e.r.y.p.u..rp.o..s.e.s.o.n.l.y.).......... Postcode ...........................
Mini Fruit SUPER-SAVER Collection - SAVE £10 4546 £28.97 Telephone .............................................................................
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Free Herb plants will be dispatched from June 2010. All other orders will acknowledged with a dispatch date. Card number .........................................................................
Delivery to UK addresses only and only one order per household. If in the event of unprecedented demand this offer is
oversubscribed, we reserve the right to send suitable substitute varieties. Offer closes 30 June 2010. Please note that your (Maestro only)
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All offers are subject to availability. Offers available to UK mainland residents only. Expiry date ..................................... Issue no........................

Signature...............................................................................

102 The English Garden









L PLANTS

ORGANIC HERBS

Scent of success

If acres of fragrant medicinal plants grown organically sounds like your
cup of herbal tea, you can visit or even help out at this working herb field

PHOTOGRAPHS JANE SEBIRE WORDS SUSAN PAINTER
The English Garden 107

PREVIOUS PAGE Anna Kinross sorts her herb bounty at The Organic Herb Trading Company. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP The offices overlook a two-acre field of
herbs; echinacea is just one of the blooms here that finds its way into medicinal products; elecampane; white-flowered meadowsweet; wood betony.

Tending row upon row of vibrant GOOD HERBS TO GROW Sarah. ‘This field is great for herbs as water runs
herbs is a fantasy come true for FOR COLOUR down the slope. We can plant silver-leaved
gardener Sarah Weston - and it’s Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary and
not hard to see why. The sight of G Calendula: yellow, red and orange thyme towards the top of the site, and more
massed ranks of colourful blooms G Tagetes: white, golden, orange, water-loving plants like marsh mallow, meadow-
covering acres of gently sloping land at The yellow and red sweet and comfrey near the ditch at the bottom.’
Organic Herb Trading Company in Somerset G Echinacea: purple, white and yellow
is enough to give anybody’s day a lift. G Elecampane: sunny yellow Organic waste material from the herb field
G Marsh mallow: soft pink and maufacturing areas is composted down
She grows more than 40 different types of before being returned to the site’s slightly acidic
herbs on the site, which occupies an idyllic of herbs - I couldn’t think of anything better sandy loam. ‘We add compost to all the beds,
spot between the picturesque Blackdown, and I’m thoroughly looking forward to particularly to those that are going to be
Brendon and Quantocks Hills. my first summer here - I hope to continue occupied by perennials that will be in situ for a
Anna’s good work. few years,’ Sarah says. ‘Herbs are not particularly
The company is certified by the Soil fussy compared with vegetables though. They
Association and is dedicated to ethical trade. It During the summer months, the plants here will grow anywhere, in any type of soil.’
mainly imports dried herbs for herbal infusions teem with butterflies and bees, and the
and medicinal and culinary uses, but also birdsong is really incredible. The herb field Almost every type of plant attracts its share
grows fresh herbs for tinctures, oils, lotions and owes much of its success to its south-facing of pests, and herbs are no exception. Slugs
more. The herb field is both a great source for situation and gently sloping ground. pose a particular threat to tender seedlings
material and a lovely place to work. such as marigolds, and rabbits are particularly
‘Herbs love the sun but many hate getting attracted to the roots and young shoots of
‘This is my dream job,’ says Sarah, who too wet - they need good drainage,’ explains plants such as valerian and yarrow. Sarah uses
took over the position of herb field manager organic slug pellets when planting out
from Anna Kinross earlier this year. ‘Two acres

108 The English Garden

PLANTS

ORGANIC HERBS

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL HERB GROWING

G Herbs are generally less fussy than vegetable plants but many, particularly
Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary and thyme, prefer good drainage. They
also love being in sunny situations and the majority do less well in the shade.
G Slugs love young herb seedlings and are a particular nuisance during periods
of wet weather. Use salt barriers around seed trays, avoiding direct contact
with the soil, and organic slug pellets to keep them at bay.
G Many herb seeds can be sown in March. Plants can also be multiplied
by splitting root stocks or taking cuttings.
G Ensure fast-spreading herbs such as comfrey and horseradish are
kept away from other plants.
G After harvesting, mulch well or cover the ground with matting to keep
weeds at bay. Covering also warms the ground ready for planting.
G Keeping detailed records of when herbs are sown and harvested acts
as a handy reference for future years.

TOP RIGHT Anna Kinross, Sarah Weston’s predecessor at the herb field, harvests herbs with the help of a WWOOFing volunteer. ABOVE, LEFT
TO RIGHT The herb field covers gently sloping land with rows of colour; sacks of wood betony ready for drying; bagging up Alchemilla mollis.

seedlings to keep hungry molluscs at bay, herb field.’ He still regards it as an essential all needed to be cleared and dug by hand
and employs netting to deter the bunnies, but element of the operation. ‘Having the herb field before any growing could start.
she admits it is difficult not to suffer some losses exerts an influence on a very subtle level. An
to the wildlife that is irresistibly drawn to the environment in which plants are growing has a ‘We brought the herb field into production
site. Looking after the herb field and organising calming effect,’ he says. ‘And it makes our gradually,’ he says. ‘It took five years to start
the picking, cleaning and drying of leaves and tinctures and macerated oils amazing as they growing on the entire two acres, but one of
roots is a full-time, year-round job for her, but use herbs harvested here that are immediately the things I had learned at Hambleden was
she gets help for seven or eight months from processed at our onsite facility.’ that you can try and do too much too quickly.’
volunteers from the charity World Wide
Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), Mike started out in the herb business by Mike, who sits on the committee for the
or woofers as they are affectionately known. growing plants for herbalists before reaching Union for Ethical Bio Trade, is hoping to soon
the conclusion that he simply could not offer other services to customers such as
However, despite hundreds of hours of hard supply enough by himself. He subsequently conducting growing trials of herbs, so it’s onward
work, the two-acre field produces just a small turned his attention to specialising in and upward for him, Sarah and their growing
amount of the total output of The Organic Herb importing ethically sourced material from all field. ‘Herbs are such incredible plants,’ Sarah
Trading Company. Managing director Mike over the world. After selling his first says. ‘They are so beautiful and have many
Brook says that though small herb growing enterprise, Hambleden Herbs, Mike went on medicinal properties and culinary uses. With
operations did exist in the UK when he started to set up The Organic Herb Trading Company all their possibilities, it’s very exciting to see
up the business, it was still very difficult to make in 1994, from a converted agricultural everything in flower and looking fantastic.’
them commercially viable. ‘Herbs need to be building on the outskirts of Milverton.
grown on a larger scale and the process needs The Organic Herb Trading Company, Milverton,
to be more mechanised than we are here,’ he When he arrived, the area that was to Somerset TA4 1NF. Tel: +44 (0)1823 401205.
said. ‘That’s never been the plan for our existing become the herb field was covered in baling The company is holding an open day on 2 July.
twine, brambles and clumps of silage that www.organicherbtrading.com

The English Garden 109



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The English Garden 111



The English Garden 113

BOOKS

Library leaves

This month, we look at design, propagation and veg-growing books,
some ideas for kids, and examine writers’ love of the garden shed

DESIGN One of the best introductions in an age - only Sturgeon could
BIG PLANS, liken designing a small garden to packing to go on holiday’
SMALL GARDENS
requirements, with sections on plans (many, though not all, his own furniture and, of course, plants. BOOKS IMAGE/KELLY WEECH
(Mitchell Beazley, £16.99) eating and entertaining, play, rest designs) will be especially useful to The book is a page-turner,
If you’re looking for advice on and relaxation, work and privacy. owners of tiny plots (or even those punctuated throughout with bullet
making the most of your small ‘Solutions by area’ is the second that don’t have a garden at all), pointed sections and checklists,
garden plot, you couldn’t hope for section, dealing with the type of offering hope and inspiration with and full of eye-catching photography
any better than that given by Andy garden you may have. Laden with solid advice. Finally, the third of ingenious gardens. Sturgeon’s
Sturgeon. A winner of five useful advice on creating a garden section, ‘Design Details’, is a creative eye exemplifies innovative
consecutive Gold medals at the on a balcony or roof, in a courtyard, practical materials sourcebook, design in the smallest of outdoor
RHS Chelsea Flower Show, here in basement or lightwell, and even breathing new life into the familiar spaces, resulting in a book that
his third book Sturgeon considers dealing with entrances and garden elements of walls, both amateurs and professionals
designing for the small garden, passageways, those who have boundaries, flooring, but also will find invaluable when designing
delighting in a process where found themselves so often lighting (‘perhaps the most the small urban garden, but also
‘the lack of space seems to force overlooked in other books will sigh important weapon in your design when seeking inspiration for larger
creativity and ingenuity: it in satisfied relief. His inclusion of arsenal’), screens and canopies, gardens in town and country alike.
demands lateral thinking and real-life projects including annotated water, outdoor kitchens, pots,
experimentation, often with Ann-Marie Powell, designer
extraordinary results’. Inspiring,
highly original, and packed full of
personality, Sturgeon’s friendly
style leads you through the design
process with expert practicality
in an eminently readable text.
After one of the best introductions
to a gardening book I have read in
an age (only Sturgeon could liken
designing a small garden to packing
to go on holiday), the book is split
into three sections. The first helps
you identify what you want to
achieve in an outdoor space,
helping to select and prioritise

114 The English Garden

Books for keeping the kids busy

YOUNG GARDENER THE FAMILY KITCHEN GREEN FINGERS AND WILDLIFE GARDEN
GARDEN BOOK MUDDY BOOTS
(Frances Lincoln, £8.99) (Dorling Kindersley, £9.99)
Projects to get little ones engaged (Frances Lincoln, £16.99) (Floris Books, £14.99) Endorsed by the RHS, Martyn
with the garden by Stefan and How to create and manage a fruit An interactive guide for kids, with Cox’s book includes 30 step-by-
Beverly Buczacki, presented with and vegetable garden as a family, lots of activities to try out. The book step projects to discover, engage
photos and cartoons, and well- with tips on gardening with kids, comes with a CD of worksheets with and protect the wildlife in
presented, easy-to-understand info. jobs to keep them interested, and and the chance to apply for a our gardens. Colourful, fun
Doesn’t talk down to its reader. recipes so all can enjoy the spoils. ‘Young Gardener Certificate’. and educational.

PRACTICAL Many people feel intimidated
GROW YOUR by propagation - Carol Klein
OWN GARDEN hopes to reverse this trend’

(BBC Books, £20) designs achievable, with little or GROWING FOOD star scale, from very easy to fairly
Carol Klein is on a mission: to no expense,’ Klein writes. ‘Growing THE LOW easy. Tips include buying disease-
introduce legions of gardeners your own garden is not a novel MAINTENANCE and pest-resistant plug plants, not
to the art of propagating plants. concept. It is real, practical and VEGETABLE having a greenhouse and mulching,
There was a time when many founded on observing, respecting GARDEN and though she does offer ways to
gardens were stocked with trees, and emulating nature.’ cut down on hours spent nurturing
shrubs and perennials lovingly Her carefully explained step-by- (New Holland, £16.99) your edible plants, she has not
cultivated from cuttings, taken step guides, illustrated with dispelled my suspicion that it’s
from specimens either purchased gloriously inspiring photographs The title of this book is an intriguing not so much about creating a truly
for the purpose or much admired by Jonathan Buckley, are sure sort of prospect - can a vegetable low-maintenance veg garden as
in friends’ patches. to entice experienced and garden be low-maintenance? Clare adapting your plans to make it low
Today, however, many people feel beginner gardeners to go forth Matthews certainly thinks so in this maintenance for a veg garden.
intimidated by propagation, opting and propagate. The cover price volume for beginners that adopts a
instead for ready-grown plants will undoubtedly more than pay more relaxed approach to growing Stephanie Mahon, books editor
from garden centres or nurseries. for itself in the savings you’ll your own. With excellent illustrative
In her new book, Klein hopes to make after learning the tricks photographs by Clive Nichols taken
reverse this trend and dispel the of the trade from this book. over three years at the author’s
widely held assumption that own vegetable plot, this is an easy-
cultivating cuttings is a mysterious Sue Bradley, garden writer to-get-through guide to help you
art best left to the experts. use your garden for produce,
From stem and root cuttings to however time-poor you are.
offsets and layering, she provides The low-maintenance aspect is
step-by-step guides in her the most attractive thing about
inimitably enthusiastic style. the book, there being a rash of
‘Growing plants from cuttings is veg-growing tomes on the market
something every gardener can at the moment, and in this vein
accomplish. In a matter of Matthews gallantly advises which
months, we can all produce crops to grow based on a three-
batches of plants to make our

The English Garden 115

116 The English Garden

BOOKS

Many literati chose to write in ‘sheds’: of earth & ink
Mark Twain’s was a ‘cosy’ studio;
George Bernard Shaw’s had a movable writers’ sheds
base so he could catch the sun all day; while
Virginia Woolf’s ‘lodge’ was her sanctuary, her WORDS STEPHANIE MAHON
room of her own. Long before the era of home-
working saw people pepper their plots withILLUSTRATION/JOHN CAMPBELL‘To write as one should of a garden, one must write not
trendy pods, writers were seeking quiet, separate THE PENTHOUSE FROM VIVID GREEN, SHEDWORKINGoutside or merely somewhere near it, but in the garden’
places to compose their thoughts.
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Roald Dahl’s was a world apart where he was
never to be disturbed. I remember as a child the house, and every window looks over the author’s essential to have a separate place to write, ‘and
great excitement my brother and I felt when he garden. More a grand annexe than a shed, The it being directly on the garden, I can do some
allowed a TV crew to enter his creative den. We Pavilion is a straw-stuffed eco-construction with work and then go do something physical - I
watched enraptured as he prepared pencils on a spare bedroom, workshop area and office. The don’t like sitting in one place for long’.
his electric sharpener. ‘That’s the place those building has a warm terracotta tint and lovely
horrible wonderful ideas come from,’ I thought. details like a veranda, a Mackintosh-inspired The Pavilion was created by Noël and The
Now, years since his death, his white ‘shed’ with gothic window, large roof lights and eye-catching Alternative Building Company using a timber
roses round the door is open to pilgrims of woodwork. ‘Our house is quite small,’ Noël says, frame, a traditional clay and straw mix for
James, Danny et al. Probably not what the ‘and we wouldn’t have got permission to extend, insulation and plaster finish. It took several
slightly crotchety man himself would’ve wanted, so this seemed like the best course of action.’ months and was the first construction of its kind
but visiting numbers show the great interest in the UK. Noël, ex-nurseryman and writer of
people have in seeing where things are crafted. ‘I talk a lot,’ laughs his the recent Hybrid, obviously adores his space,
partner, Jo, ‘and I felt it beaming in his understated way as he shows
I’d like a writing shed - what bliss it would was important for him me all the nooks and crannies. How much better
be to not be constantly instantly accessible. But to actually leave the it would be to barricade yourself in here as a
is it only about being detached from normal, house and go out to deadline approaches, surrounded by books,
hassled day-to-day life in the home, or is there work.’ Noël agrees it’s with a vista of naturalistic planting, and only
another aspect to this relocation of intellect? Is chirruping birds to disrupt your thoughts.
a scribbling hut on your own land just cheaper
than renting a studio somewhere, or is it all I wonder if there’s room for another desk...
down to the actual location itself - the garden?

What could be more igniting to the brain than
opening your back door, noting seasonal foibles
and sauntering down to a heavenly hovel with
cup of tea in hand, breathing in the air, going
in and sitting down, looking out on flowers and
foliage. A fantasy, maybe, but it’s the setting that
puts shed working on another level, and has
doubtless helped these writers break a block or
fuel an idea. And surely for those who write
about plants, it’s essential to be close to the topic,
to gaze out on it at will. Garden writers, where

are your sheds?
Noël Kingsbury’s is

down a stipa-lined
boardwalk from his

For more ideas, try Shedworking by
Alex Johnson (Frances Lincoln, £16.99).

The English Garden 117

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118 The English Garden

DIRECTORY

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The English Garden 119



GAR DENTHE ENGLISH

In the JULY issue…

GLOBE-SHAPED FLOWERS

Top perennials for an ‘all-round’ border

G Six super gardens including roses and
romance at an old rectory in Dorset

G Toby Buckland gets a second flush of blooms
G The cut flower nursery with a big heart
G Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall on encouraging

grandchildren to garden

PLUS Designing a courtyard - Chelsea

review - berries galore - eating outside

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122 The English Garden

GARDENS to enjoy

ABBOTSBURY SUBTROPICAL GARDENS

Contact These Grade 1 Listed Gardens boast collections of exotic plants
Bullers Way, and trees from all over the world. Many of these were first
Abbotsbury, introductions to this country.
Dorset
DT3 4LA

Information 01305 871387 or • 30 acres including the world famous camellia groves,
www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk magnolias, rhododendrons and hydrangeas collections

• Superb colonial restaurant for coffee, lunches & teas

Opening Times • Specialist plant nursery, buy online
Open 10am daily, all year (closed www.abbotsburyplantsales.co.uk
Christmas and New Year)
• Magnificent viewing point over the Jurassic Coast

OUTSIDE ART - GARDEN SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

Outside Art Outside Art has quickly established itself as one of the 'must see'
Russells Quarry Garden sculpture exhibitions of the year. If you have never been to a
& Avondale Library Garden sculpture exhibition before, I recommend you go to see this one.
Mill Hill Set in lovely surroundings, the artwork is wide-ranging in style
Bagington and appeals to all tastes and budgets. If you're an established
Coventry collector, the choice is overwhelming, the prices very competitive
CV8 3AG and the service excellent." - Duncan Heather Oxford Garden
Design School
T: 07799311438 Exhibition Dates: 12 -27 June 2010
E: johnmarron@btinternet.com Opening hours: 10.30am - 4.30pm
Sponsored by Admission fee: £5.00 (£4.00 if pre booked)
www.thegardeningwebsite.co.uk
www.outsideart.org.uk

THE GARDEN SHOW AT STANSTED PARK

Stansted Park Art, Design and the Garden –
Rowlands Castle The Garden Show at Stansted Park.
Hants All that is very good about gardening with specialist nurseries;
PO9 6DX garden designers; suppliers; artists; well-being therapists and
sellers of beautiful gifts and country foods and wine. Featuring
Tel: 01243 586323. The Garden Roadshow, The Healing Garden, recycling
workshops and children’s entertainment…..something for
www.thegardenshowonline.com everyone who loves their garden.

11-13 June 2010
Open daily 10am-5pm.

Entry: £8. Concessions: £5.

MARWOOD HILL GARDEN

Marwood Marwood Hill Garden is a magical and inspiring 20 acre private
Nr Barnstaple garden with lakes set in a valley 4 miles north of Barnstaple
North Devon created by Dr Jimmy Smart. Offers all year round interest.
EX31 4EB National collection holder of Astilbes, Iris Ensata and Tulbaghia. A
haven for trees and shrubs from around the world.
T: 01271 342528 A huge variety of un-usual plants for sale in the walled garden
E: info@marwoodhillgarden.co.uk plant area, delicious home cooked food served in the Garden Tea
www.marwoodhillgarden.co.uk Room on site. Groups welcome by prior arrangement. Dogs are
welcome on leads.
Opening Times 2010:
Garden, Plant Sales & Admission prices 2010:
Garden Tea Room Adults £5.50, child (under 12) Free, Child (12-16) £2.50.
Open Daily 1st March – Group (10 person+) £5.00 pp.
31st October 10am – 5pm.

For more information visit us at www.theenglishgarden.co.uk

BROCHURE DIRECTORY

Stand No. A14,
Hampton Court

ELIZABETH BRADLEY

Blooms

Oriental Lily

Beautiful contemporary needlework
designs and accessories available to order.

www.elizabethbradley.com
email: ebd@elizabethbradley.com

Tel: 01865 339 050

For more information visit us at www.theenglishgarden.co.uk

THE DIRECTORY

LAWNS PONDS

WATERLILIES & AQUAPLANCTON
AQUATIC
SPECIALISTS

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

PLANTS Do you have a
garden pond? Is it
Encourage wildlife to your garden. as clear as mud? Is it To advertise contact Emily Lucas tel: +44 (0) 1242 216081 email: emily.lucas@archant.co.uk
Plants and seeds of wildflowers, murky, muddy, slimy,
native trees, shrubs, climbers, smelly, choked with
bulbs, meadows, etc. algae or weed and a
Visitor centre open April 1st-Sept 30th, chore to clean out?
If you have a pump,
11am-5.30pm daily at Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Notts.
Colour catalogue and growing guide, are you forever
send 4x1st class stamps. cleaning or changing

Naturescape (EG), Maple Farm, Coach Gap Lane, the filter?
Langar, Notts, NG13 9HP
Tel: 01949 860592 AQUAPLANCTON
Fax: 01949 869047 could be just what
www.naturescape.co.uk you’re looking for

email: sales@naturescape.co.uk VOTED PRODUCT

Established 1978 OF THE YEAR 2009

PERHILL PLANTS Used successfully with
fish all the time. Safe for
Worcester Road, Great Witley,
Worcestershire, WR6 6JT ducks, plants, pets, all
tel:01299 896329 forms of waterlife, U.V.
and biological filters.
email:perhillp@btconnect.com AQUAPLANCTON has

Specialist growers of rarer cleared greenwater,
more unusual perennials. sludge and

Online shop @ www.perhillplants.co.uk BLANKETWEED
Mail order catalogue available.(six 2nd
for hundreds of happy
class stamps please). pond owners. It could do
Open most weekdays, 9am-5pm
the same for you
(Closed weekends)
For free brochure and price list
MISCELLANEOUS
telephone 01298 214003

anytime or send the approx.

surface area of your pond to:

POTS & ORNAMENTS NURSERIES PUBLISHERS AQUAPLANCTON
River Lodge
AUTHORS Bishop’s Lane
BUXTON
PLEASE SUBMIT:
Derbyshire SK17 6UN
synopsis, plus sample chapters (3) www.aquaplancton.com
for consideration.
Name ................................................
Olympia Publishers
Address ............................................
www.olympiapublishers.com
..........................................................
60 Canon Street, LONDON, EC4N 6NP
..........................................................

Postcode ..........................................

Phone................................................

Pond surface sq ft

Does your pond have? EG
Please tick ✓
❏
Algae

Full Sun ❏

Green water ❏

To advertise contact Emily Lucas Sludge ❏
tel: 01242 216081
Clogged filters ❏
email: emily.lucas@archant.co.uk
Blanketweed ❏

Murky water ❏

Odour ❏

Koi carp ❏

Ducks ❏

For more information visit us at www.theenglishgarden.co.uk The English Garden

THE DIRECTORY

ACCESSORIES ARTS AND CRAFTS BRIDGES

A CERAMIC MODEL
OF YOUR HOME

Call me or visit my website
Richard A. Rogers

RAR Ceramics
Tel: 01777 703711

Email: rarceramics@btopenworld.com
Web: www.rarceramics.co.uk

Beautiful, practical supports for the garden, including designs for For more information
herbaceous perennials, roses, shrubs and climbing plants. visit us at

www.theenglishgarden.co.uk

BLINDS & CURTAINS

To advertise contact Emily Lucas tel: +44 (0) 1242 216081 email: emily.lucas@archant.co.uk Made in England
THE
Leander Products, Idridgehay, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 2SL

GARDEN DESIGN

FURNITURE AND JOINERY Sally Court, Dip ISD, FSGD, GREENHOUSES
RHS award winning designer, provides
a professional, creative design service To advertise contact
for all garden styles from the smallest Emily Lucas
backyard to several acres, formal or
cottage, from scratch to restoration. tel: 01242 216081
A personal approach to complement email: emily.lucas@
client’s individual requirements.
archant.co.uk
Courtyard Garden Design,
The Workshop, 32 Broadway Avenue,
East Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 1RH

Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 8892 0118

Email: sally.cgd@btconnect.com

VICTORIAN GATE & SEATING CO.

Tree Seat

Tree, garden and conversation seats in iron.
Tel: 01823 412351 www.gardenseats.com

To advertise contact Emily Lucas
tel: 01242 216081

email: emily.lucas@archant.co.uk

The English Garden For more information visit us at www.theenglishgarden.co.uk

THE DIRECTORY

COURSES

HEDGING AND TOPIARY To advertise contact Emily Lucas tel: +44 (0) 1242 216081 email: emily.lucas@archant.co.uk

HOPES GROVE
NURSERIES

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: sales@hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk 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

WILDLIFE

For more information visit us at www.theenglishgarden.co.uk The English Garden

THE DIRECTORY

ACCESSORIES

To advertise contact Emily Lucas tel: +44 (0) 1242 216081 email: emily.lucas@archant.co.uk Aluminium

CHAIN SCREENS

Keep Out Insects

Doors : Windows : Room Dividers
Colours : Stripes : Patterns

Free colour brochure

Tel: 020 8560 3337
Fax: 020 8560 4442

C.I.C. SCREENS
The Metro Centre St Johns Road
Isleworth Middx. TW7 6NJ
www.cicscreens.co.uk

PET SERVICES 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: 01972 510386
or

Mob: 07980 276820

Over the Garden Wall
Sithean Mor,
Achnaha,

Kilchoan, Argyll,
PH36 4LW

The English Garden For more information visit us at www.theenglishgarden.co.uk

THE DIRECTORY

PLANTS WEB SERVICES

131 Theobalds Park Road, Crews Hill,
Enfield, Middx EN2 9BB, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8367 8809
info@paramountplants.co.uk

DECORATIVE GRAVEL DIRECT FROM THE QUARRY
T: 01629 630139 • www.stonewarehouse.co.uk

MowWithUs.com For all your
garden machinery

needs

www.gardenlines.co.uk

Lawnmowers, Hedgecutters, Strimmers, Garden Furniture

PLACES TO STAY To advertise contact Emily Lucas tel: +44 (0) 1242 216081 email: emily.lucas@archant.co.uk

CLARE HOUSE

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 from our family run hotel. May 1st - July 9th, Any four

nights from £314.00pp D,B&B,

Specimen plant nursery and garden design centre. We supply GARDEN LOVERS BREAK
architectural specimen trees and shrubs including olives and hardy palms.
Also wide selection of colourful perennials, and drought-tolerant grasses. On the edge of the Cotswolds we are England’s oldest hotel built in 1220.
Standing next to Malmesbury’s medieval Abbey the hotel has antique
WWW.PARAMOUNTPLANTS.CO.UK
furniture, cosy lounges and is traditionally English. Our 2 night break is
now only £280 (our 5th birthday, 2004 rate) until the end of August for
two people, bed and breakfast, dinner on 1 night and tickets to Abbey

House Gardens and Westonbirt Arboretum.

The Old Bell Hotel 01666 822344 www.oldbellhotel.com

For more information visit us at www.theenglishgarden.co.uk The English Garden

GUEST SPEAKER

Get your compost, watering and feeding right, and growing in containers Author and herb
organically and peat free is perfectly possible, says Jekka McVicar expert Jekka
McVicar runs an
award-winning herb
farm near Bristol

When I started my herb farm more stopping it from leaching out of the pot, and Feeding is one of the most important elements
than 20 years ago, I chose to grow helps to retain water in summer. of healthy container-raised plants. I never cease
organically and peat free. The to be amazed by the number of people who do
challenge was on: to prove that these plants Watering is one of the trickiest things to not feed their plants, but expect them to survive
were even better than those raised in peat using teach. Even after rain, one often needs to on love and water alone! Any form of potting
chemicals. A few years later, I took this supplement with extra water. One of the easiest substrate will run out of food. At the herb farm,
challenge to the Royal Horticultural Society, ways to gauge how much is needed is to lift I use liquid feed made from either composted
and started exhibiting at flower shows, for up the plant in the container - if it feels light, seaweed or composted comfrey. During the
which plants had to be perfect specimens. then it almost certainly needs more water. The growing season I feed twice weekly. My absolute
top tip is Epsom salts, especially for bay trees
Achieving success in growing container and other evergreen trees and shrubs - every
plants organically, and in peat-free compost, spring give them a good dose in line with the
is not as difficult as people think - it is simply manufacturer’s instructions.
a different technique, requiring a slightly
different routine. Over the years, we have been awarded 62
gold medals, two Tudor Rose Awards for ‘Best
The basic techniques I have developed over in Show’ at Hampton Court Palace Flower
the past two decades encompass two simple Show and the RHS Lawrence Medal for the
elements: watering and feeding. Both are best exhibit shown during the whole of 2009.
essential to produce healthy container plants So, I honestly believe I have now proved that
whatever substrate you choose - and I have growing peat free and organically are viable
tried everything: from duck manure that methods of raising plants in containers. It’s not
turned all my plants yellow and a coir compost difficult - just a different technique.
in which the salts built up and inhibited
growth to a compost mixed with clay granules. Next month: our Guest Speaker will be Jane
The granules were meant to act as a buffer for Fearnley-Whittingstall
the liquid feed but, in actual fact, melted with
watering, sank to the bottom of the pot and
blocked drainage holes, which resulted in the
compost becoming too wet and sour.

I never cease to be amazed by the number of people who do not feed their
potted plants, yet expect them to survive on love and water alone!’

Now I use a potting compost that comprises amount of water to give depends on the IMAGE/HMPROUDLOV|DREAMSTIME.COM
wood waste, which is light and holds a small season. In spring, when we are still suffering
amount of water, composted bark to keep it from frosts, I water in the morning so that the
open (please note it is essential that the bark plant does not go to bed too wet. In summer,
is composted; if not it will take nitrogen from I water early morning and also early evening,
the feed to help it turn into compost) and when necessary. It is better to water twice
recycled, sterilised loam. The loam that goes rather than drown the plant in the belief that
into this compost is top soil from building sites. this will do until tomorrow.
It is shocking to think that this precious
commodity used to be dumped in landfill. The In winter, I cut the watering back to the
loam acts as a buffer for the liquid feed, minimum - this way the plant is protected
from the vagaries of winter.

130 The English Garden