The Hollow, Blandford Forum

About The Hollow, Blandford Forum

This high-maintenance garden has been renovated from an old hillside garden and contains dry stone walls created from local greensand, with flints used as border edging. The sloping narrow pathways are bordered by an interesting variety of plantings. Hellebores and bulbs set the early scene followed by an eruption of colour in mid to late June from herbaceous perennials, roses and shrubs, which gradually fades as the year progresses. Fruit and vegetables in raised beds grown for the kitchen are inter-planted with flowers, the two productive greenhouses over-winter tender plants, raise seedlings and cuttings, then tomatoes, herbs and other vegetables. Wild life is encouraged and there are resident slow-worms, hedgehogs, frogs, newts and toads throughout the garden, damsel and dragon flies flit over the main pond and its plantings. Different areas of interest have been created to accommodate a diversity of plants, including a small fernery/stumpery, miniature hosta sinks, herb garden and rockeries. A garden which is constantly evolving with new and unusual plants regularly added. Featured recently in Amateur Gardening magazine.

Use of different methods to plant steep banks.