By the Crossways

About By the Crossways

Since a major redevelopment over a decade ago, By The Crossways has evolved into a well-rounded family and wildlife friendly garden that reflects much of the ethical philosophy and aims of the owners. This is a garden designed to look good at any season and on any day of the year.

The garden is surrounded by traditional farm hedgerows and numerous mature trees, both ornamental and native. Many more trees and shrubs have been planted recently, some of which are pruned as topiary or to extend internal hedges and divisions. A few large dead trees are being left to rot and collapse naturally over time and have become interesting features in their own right. Much of the planting can be described as loosely naturalistic, blending perennials, bulbs and grasses with ornamental shrubs into a matrix which changes in emphasis over the seasons. Much of this new planting is also designed to blend seamlessly into the natural organic farm landscape of Maple Farm Kelsale. Familiar garden plants jostle with their wild cousins and weeds are welcome if they add to the rich visual tapestry. The ‘lawns’ have quite a complex and variable mowing regime.

A swimming pool garden and crinkle-crankle wall planted with many heat and drought tolerant plants as well as unusual fruiting trees and shrubs add interest and contrast to the wilder areas. A large utility area is given over to vegetables and soft fruit and an old orchard has had new trees recently planted in an ongoing rejuvenation programme. An increasing range of cut-flowers are also being grown, many of which are sold in Maple Farm’s small farm shop.