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About Well Cottage
When purchased in 2012, the gardens had clearly seen better days. Many decades ago we understand it had been planted out by a horticultural enthusiast but in recent years’ because of unwelcome other pressures, the then owners were unable to keep it up to that original standard. It had become very dark with far too many large trees jostling for space and denying light to plants beneath.
Our first objective was to clear some of these trees, especially the Leylandii. This opened up the views and allowed more light and air to the plants beneath but still retained the wooded feel to much of the garden.
Many new beds were dug and planted to create contrasting and separate areas and special attention was given to the lawns which had suffered from too much shade which had allowed moss to choke the grass. Repeated treatments have now begun to pay off.
As recent planting has matured we are now past the stage of filling in gaps and now cutting back and shaping. However work never stops and the most recent addition is a path through the wooded area to give a different perspective.
We are not gardening experts and frankly don’t even know all the names of all the plants. We are busy people with a number of other interests like textile art for Heather, golf for John and singing for us both. As a result, our planting style is not been one for the purist but can be described as quite random. However if something is not right in a particular place or the plant does not like its location, we are not afraid to dig it up and move it.
We have tried to create different feels to the various sections of the garden. The largest area is the most informal with its soft planting at the far end, the wilder area along the top side and the colours of the Azealias and Rhododennrons etc along the bottom. Some of these plants are very mature and have required an element of shaping while others are more recently planted and establishing themselves. By Heather’s studio is a recently created bed of shrubs with a number of Acers which help provide a beautiful spot for her to overlook while she works on her textile art.
There is also room for growing fruit and veg and the terrain and slopes even manage to areas these areas informal.
The area close to the rear of the house is perhaps a little more formal with a mix of herbaceous, plants, shrubs and some annuals to provide all year colour. By contrast, the shady front garden has a very different feel to it and is a surprise to many, especially when you see how that side of property is a ‘chocolate box’.
Thus as a result of 10+ years of hard work, there are now settled areas of planting in a style that we have sought to be natural. We have not set out to create a show garden and no doubt when you walk around you will see some weeds or areas that may need attention. We know there is still more work to be done and we are always seeking to improve the garden but without damaging its natural feel that is so fitting for such a glorious location.
We hope you enjoy it.
John and Heather Coley
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