About Chelmsford Lodge
The garden was originally farmland, then the area comprising of Silverdale and Granville Roads was developed during the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras. The lawn behind the house was once a tennis court with surrounding herbaceous borders. The neglected plot beyond the flint wall was part of the land behind No. 28 Silverdale Road, and was bought from the owner in 1983. Ten skip loads of rubbish were removed in 1992 and over the following years a large pond, arbour and trellis were constructed, old paths were restored and new paths laid. A derelict Victorian greenhouse was removed, the hole filled with rubble, then the soil from the excavated pond was added over the rubble and rocks added to form a rockery.
Three terraced areas were formed through a slope of about 4 feet from the top and lower walls. A selection of trees, shrubs and climbers were added, including a large variety of fruit trees including apple, cherry, damson, fig, hazelnut, medlar, mulberry, kiwi, pear, plum and quince.
The pond is surrounded by 4 beds filled with roses and tree peonies, with access improved by knocking a hole in the wall and constructing an archway with n iron gate. The new garden has become known as the ‘Secret garden’.
The lawn area at the side of the house was once part of a school playing field. A variety of trees and shrubs were planted and have now grown to maturity, with many spring bulbs.
There are several rare trees in the garden, including Chinese wingnut, fragrant Epaulette; Ginko Biloba; Japanese snowball, Judas tree; various maples, Tulip tree, Strawberry tree and Swedish whitebeam.
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