About 16 Wanstead Park Avenue
The garden benefits from a borrowed landscape of tall trees at the back. Currently, I am experimenting with mixing wild, often self-sown plant with cultivated plants. I use this most in the shady under-tree planting, with, for example, wild ferns in the deeper shade and heucheras and buttercups in places that get a touch of sun.
I am making an effort with succession planting. It’s not only about choosing the right range of plants but also about ensuring that plants which are active later in the season are not smothered, when they need to be absorbing sunlight, by earlier flowering plants. Its work in progress.
I have a small cold frame, custom-made by my husband, mounted on the only available south-facing piece of wall so that I can propagate cuttings and grow from seed.
We changed our plumbing to divert water from baths and showers to water butts. From there we use a hose connected via a pump to water the garden.
The front garden is small and sunny. It contains mixed beds and shingle and has shrubs, roses, two crab apple trees and pelargonium-filled window boxes.
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