12 Chapel Street

About 12 Chapel Street

Having lived here since 1976 and brought up three children in the meantime, the garden has evolved with us, developing along with our interests and our experience as gardeners. We are not specialists, but enjoy many different aspects of gardening. This is reflected in our garden, which although small (by our standards) has what we call ‘areas of interest’.

We have a pond, small wild area, cottage garden with semi shade, a hot bed, herbaceous border and an area that is developing into a sort of seaside/ dry area. This year, we’re revamping our parterre area into a miniature ‘Jewel Garden’ after the style of Monty Don, with the aim of producing bright colours from May through to October.

We do like plants, and try to grow interesting ones, dotted amongst the familiar. If you know where to look, you’ll find ginger plants, woodland favourites like primula seboldii and various bulbs – in the right season. Ken has a collection of Alpines in and around an alpine house, and is busy propagating a selection of show auriculas, which appear on a small theatre when in bloom. Naturally, all of this provides an ideal backdrop for the train!