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About Patchwork
The garden covers 1/4 acre, on a fairly steep north-facing slope with flints and clay soil over chalk. It is planted for year-round colour, interest and perfume, with a distinct spring garden which is replanted to produce a summer/autumn garden.
The front garden features a rose bed under-planted with narcissi, a small rockery, a narrow bed bordering the path with dazzling yellow and red ‘Apeldoorn’ tulips in spring, followed by equally colourful ‘Coltness’ bedding dahlias in summer.
A narrow, shaded side entrance at the southern side of the house leads to a rockery with conifers, heathers and azaleas and then into the garden at the rear. An imposing 55 yrs. old Acer palmatum dissectum atropurpureum stands at the head of a small pond. The owners bring the garden right up to the house by moving tubs and pots onto the three-tiered patio to provide a riot of colour each month – bulbs in the spring; hostas, fuchsias, a wide variety of petunias and violas, hanging baskets and patio plants for summer and autumn.
Steps lead up from the pond to the southern bank. Alongside the steps is a strip bed planted with tulips in spring, followed by Salvia farinacea flanked with Verbena in summer. At the top, in summer, there is a display of trailing begonias. Alongside is an imposing Rhododendron ‘Cynthia’, exuberant when in flower in May/June.
On the northern boundary, a herbaceous border includes delphiniums, alstroemeria, Japanese anemones and Lysimachia clethroides providing interest throughout summer. A bed of T. ‘Ballade’ in spring is followed by exhibition dahlias. An island bed on the southern side of a central winding path has tulips and violas in spring. These are followed by ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ bedding dahlias for a colourful summer and autumn display.
A pergola with roses, clematis and honeysuckle together with a striking Robinia ‘Lace Lady’ nearby, leads into the western half of the garden. An island bed with shrubs, herbaceous plants and heucheras not only provides seasonal variety, but also screens a rockery and small pond which are hidden from the house.
An octagonal greenhouse is used for over-wintering fuchsias, and then for tomatoes. Further on, the main greenhouse is used for over-wintering dahlia tubers and begonias. In spring it is the propagation, sowing and potting area to supply the garden and allotment.
At the end of the garden there is a mixture of shrubs and hedging providing a backcloth of year-round interest. A majestic Acer platinoides drummondii stands out. The three compost heaps behind the shed are certainly worth a visit.
The garden is labour-intensive with many bedding plants being used to augment the established borders and shrubs. Seep hose is used extensively for bedding plants, and water-retaining gel is used in pots. The terrain and uncompromising flints certainly provide a challenge!
The garden is at its most colourful when we have our two main openings in early May and mid August, but there is a lot to enjoy at other times. Community and gardening groups of 5 to 20 people are welcome from April to September. June is a particularly interesting time to visit; not only are the roses and delphiniums on show, but the garden can be seen undergoing its transformation from a spring to a summer/autumn display. If you come around at this time, you’ll have to take us as you find us – it can be quite chaotic! September is also an excellent time as the dahlias will still be at their best, and the roses will be on their second main flowering.
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