Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2017 i The English Garden

Suzie Gibbons Previously a pop and rock portrait photographer, Suzie now specialises in photographing gardens. On page 32, she covers Fairlight End in East Sussex, her neighbour’s inspirational garden. Dianna Jazwinski Dianna, based in Dorset, specialises in plant photography and is published in a wide range of titles. She captures the beauty of martagon lilies on page 93. Jenny Dalton A freelance journalist, Jenny writes regularly on design for the Financial Times’ How To Spend It magazine and the Evening Standard. She visits Cogshall Grange in Cheshire on page 49.…

WHISPERS Whispers is a two-acre garden of manicured lawns surrounded by large borders of colourful shrubs, trees and long-flowering perennials. Visitors can enjoy the wildflower area, greenhouse, kitchen garden and living sculptures. There is a spectacular waterfall which cascades over large rock slabs and seemingly melts away into the terrace, from where visitors can ascend the stairs to the wide, sweeping lawn, gazebo and rockstone seat below a white-stemmed birch. Whispers is open by arrangement for the National Garden Scheme from June to August, for groups of 15-plus. Admission £5, children free. Whispers, Chatter Alley, Dogmersfield, Hampshire RG27 8SS. Find more gardens at ngs.org.uk…

The UK boasts three types of newt: the common newt (Lissotriton vulgaris); the palmate newt (Triturus helveticus); and the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus). The common newt, the one most often seen in garden ponds, is pale brown or green with a spotted neck. During the mating season of April to May, the male develops a jagged crest which he uses to ‘dance’ and attract a mate. Palmate newts are almost identical, but don’t have spots on their necks. Palmate males will also develop a much smaller, smoother crest during the mating season. The great crested (below) is the rarest and most distinguishable, with dark, warty skin and a yellow underbelly. During the mating season, these develop the largest crest, hence their name. During July, when the breeding season has…

DIERAMA PULCHERRIMUM ‘MERLIN’ Delicate arching stems droop with the weight of deep ruby flowers on this sumptuously dark angel’s fishing rod. ARTICHOKE ‘VIOLETTA DI CHIOGGIA’ Purple-flushed flowerheads make this globe artichoke highly ornamental, in kitchen garden and flower border alike. ASTRANTIA MAJOR ‘HADSPEN BLOOD’ Rich crimson pincushion-like flowers on this reliable summer-flowering perennial that is an especially good choice on clay. PAPAVER RHOEAS SHIRLEY GROUP A pretty component of Bruern’s annual meadow, Shirley poppies have delicate petals in a range of vibrant colours. NEPETA RACEMOSA ‘WALKER’S LOW’ This catmint forms a bushy mound of silver-green foliage, topped with long-lasting lilac-blue flower spires. ROSA ‘MORNING MIST’ A David Austin rose with large, clove-scented single flowers of salmon pink, followed by a…

• The main tasks now are deadheading and regular weeding. • Cut back Nepeta, geraniums, Alchemilla and other similar plants at the end of July for a second, September flush. • If a plant doesn’t thrive, dig it up and change it rather than trying again with the same plant. • If a plant hasn’t come up by June, put something else in its space that is a similar size and habit. • Plan new borders on paper before simply buying plants. Think about leaf shape and colour as well as the flowers. Remember to include a good amount of evergreens for winter interest. • Work over winter to get everything cut back, prepared and mulched before the end of March, when spring growth begins.…

• #July and August are the very peak of our garden. Most of the hard work is done after the intense growing period of May and June. In high summer we harvest the grass from the fields and sell it as feed. We make sure we prune and tend the roses, and that climbers are tied back and trimmed. And we edge and water. • #Our perennials provide strong colour from April to September. Good choices are Geranium sylvaticum ‘Mayflower’, Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus Superior’, Rudbeckia maxima for hits of yellow and Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’, which flower all summer long. • #Our meadow mix is not British natives, rather a designer mix, but it’s designed for its colour. Pictorial Meadows specialise in meadow mixes.pictorialmeadows.co.uk…

TULBAGHIA VIOLACEA Heads of starry mauve flowers in summer bloom above thin, strappy leaves that smell of garlic when crushed. DIGITALIS ‘ILLUMINATION PINK’ The Illumination foxgloves have Isoplexis in their parentage, giving their flowers an exotic look and striking colours. DAHLIA ‘KARMA CHOC’ Large flowers made up of deep maroon, velvety petals bloom on this impressive Dahlia popular with flower arrangers. ECHINACEA ‘TIKI TORCH’ Bright yellow-orange flowers with a dark glowing red central cone are borne on a strong-growing, bushy plant. TAGETES ‘CINNABAR’ This African marigold is easy to grow from seed to to fill gaps with ferny blue-green foliage and hot colour. ISOPLEXIS CANARIENSIS The Canary Island foxglove has tawny orange flowers on spikes held above glossy leaves. Best for mild…

We are all a little nervous about buying sculpture for our gardens. There are so many things to consider. What size? What colour? Should it be figurative or abstract? But as with all art, whether in the home or the garden, sculpture should be bought primarily because you like it. As collector Hannah Peschar, known for her eponymous sculpture garden at Black and White Cottage in Ockley, Surrey, says, art is personal; each person interprets it in a different way. There are not many gardens that you can truly call magical but, in its woodland setting, Black and White Cottage is just that. The home and creation of garden designer Anthony Paul, the garden houses his wife Hannah’s sculpture garden – an inspiring collection of modern pieces set within an…

Visit a classic English garden in early summer and you’re likely to come across martagon lilies flowering in dappled shade. They’re commonly known as Turk’s caps, because their petals are curled backwards in the shape of a classic Turkish turban. Their pollen-rich stamens are suspended beneath and each stem contains 20 smallish, well-spaced flowers that open over four weeks or so. A large colony, in a wooded position, is a breathtaking sight. Or you can have one or two in a smaller garden, in a position where you might grow a hellebore or two. Lilium martagon is a very hardy species found naturally across continental Europe and into Mongolia in deciduous woods, scrub and in mountain pastures, growing up to 2,000m above sea level. The straight species, which usually has…

I knew within a year of receiving a plant of Geranium ‘Rozanne’ from those who discovered it, Rozanne and Donald Waterer, that this was no ordinary Geranium. It was found in their garden in Somerset in 1989, and was an unusual cross between the early flowering Geranium himalayense and later blooming Geranium wallichianum ‘Buxton’s Blue’. Vigorous, long-flowering, hardy and very adaptable, ‘Rozanne’ proved a great garden plant in the early days but it was difficult to propagate. Once that was solved by micropropagation, ‘Rozanne’ was launched at Chelsea in 2000 by our Bressingham Gardens and has never looked back. This versatile plant grows best in well-drained soil but it is pleasingly robust and copes with both sun and shade. I have planted rivers of ‘Rozanne’ at Bressingham and in gardens…

For Francis and Judith, finding a commercial lavender harvesting machine proved tricky. After fruitless online searching, Judith stumbled across an advert in Farmers Weekly that simply boasted ‘all your harvesting problems solved’. Francis phoned the claimant who said he dealt in agricultural machinery and would ‘see what he could do’. Three weeks later they received the call for which they had been waiting patiently. The dealer had found a suitable harvester that was available in the south of France. On one very long day in October 2004, Francis and Judith drove through the mountains of Provence and back in a day to view it, and five months later the cutter arrived at Horsepond Farm. The machine harvests and prunes in one go. As well as reaping the crop it also…

Exploring beautiful parts of the British Isles from their sailing boats by day, and camping under the stars by night, the cast of Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons had the kind of adventures the book’s youthful readers could only dream of. Luckily, a dinghy and a trip to the Lake District or Norfolk Broads aren’t strictly necessary to recreate the mood of discovery, as much fun as that would be. Simply deck the garden with nautical blue and white accessories that will create the sea-faring mood; Lexington’s shams are ideal, with nautical cushions from Dash & Albert, or a striped picnic blanket from Steamer Trading. Graham and Green’s hanging cocoons are a lovely way to create the feel of the campsite, without actually having to erect a tent. There are…

If you’ve struggled to grow French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), switch to winter tarragon (Tagetes lucida). “I find it to be a stronger plant than French tarragon, which is quite sporadic in the way it regenerates,” Ollie says. “It can die back over winter and then doesn’t come back uniformly in the second year. The chefs prefer the flavour of winter tarragon, and it has bigger leaves so you get more of a harvest.” Ollie’s bed of winter tarragon started as young plants bought from a herb wholesaler, which he now renews by taking cuttings each year. He does the same with his supplies of golden marjoram, propagating a fresh supply of cuttings each year to ensure plenty of young, vigorous plants waiting in the wings. When it comes to success…

CARAWAY Goes brilliantly with carrots and roasted squashes, either harvested as a leafy crop, or if the white flowers are allowed to develop into seeds. CHERVIL Chervil is worth growing at home as it is hard to find in shops. A faint aniseed flavour goes well with fish, eggs and makes a good addition to a Niçoise salad. BASIL ‘DARK OPAL’ Dramatically coloured purple leaves make for a more unusual pesto, and the smaller leaves make a pretty garnish alongside green basil for tomato salads. CORIANDER This fast-growing crop will germinate quickly in summer to produce plentiful pickings of its pungent leaves. Seeds can also be harvested later on. DILL Dill foliage adds aniseed flavour to fish, and Scandinavian-inspired food, while the edible flowers make a pretty garnish, if allowed…

THE BISHOP’S PALACE & GARDENS, WELLS Off Market Place, Wells, Somerset BA5 2PD Tel: 01749 988111 | www.bishopspalace.org.uk Over 14 acres of spectacular RHS partner gardens, with wonderful summer flowers, including picturesque, romantic, formal and Victorian styles, a wild flower arboretum, specimen trees, a contemporary Garden of Reflection and Community Garden alongside waterfalls, well pools, a moat with resident swans and a stunning medieval Palace. Don’t forget the Rare Plant Fair on 20 August. OPEN: Daily 10am-6pm. ABBOTSBURY SUBTROPICAL GARDENS Bullers Way, Abbotsbury, Dorset DT3 4LA Tel: +44 (0)1305 871 387 | www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk A recent winner of the HHA/ Christie’s Garden of the Year Award and described by Alan Titchmarsh as “one of the finest gardens I have ever visited”. Established in 1765 by the Ist Countess of Ilchester as…

July signals the height of summer, and in many of our gardens a crescendo of colour as herbaceous plants hit their flowering peak. It is certainly the case at Cogshall Grange, Cheshire, where great swathes of bright perennials contrast with restrained grasses and wonderful cloud-pruned trees in a Tom Stuart-Smith designed garden. At Bruern Abbey in Oxfordshire, rich purple salvias and crimson astrantias, vivid Agapanthus and diaphanous Dierama bring perfect colour co-ordination to a beautiful stately setting. But July isn’t only about bright colour. There are subtler treats this month, too, such as the swathes of wildflowers at Fairlight End in East Sussex, and the lush greens of the woodland that is home to the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden, where we explore how to choose and position garden art. July…

• Deadhead bedding plants in borders and containers to ensure repeat flowering. Feed and water pots, too. • Keep an eye on courgettes in the vegetable garden and pick them when small and tender, not unwieldy marrows. • Check containers for vine weevil grubs – C-shaped larvae that eat plant roots. Sudden wilting can be a sign. Treat with parasitic nematodes. • Prune shrubs that finished flowering in late spring or early summer, such as Weigela and Philadelphus. • Even in dry weather, resist the urge to water the lawn. Instead, raise the height of mower blades. Yellowing turf will quickly recover when rain arrives. • Plant autumn-flowering bulbs, such as colchicums, nerines and Amaryllis (below).…

“Of what you need to know about rose pruning, 75% can be put across in 30 seconds: prune by half and take out a few old stems.” So says Michael Marriott, technical manager and senior rosarian at David Austin Roses. Not so long ago such a statement would have been regarded as a heresy – traditional guidance on pruning roses made it all a very involved business, guaranteed to put off novice gardeners. One gets the impression that Michael spends an awful lot of his life debunking myths. He is very keen to reassure me that roses are easy, incredibly adaptable, can fit in with every kind of garden style, and – another heresy coming – “I don’t worry too much about black spot”. Roses have been central to traditional…

• Cut down delphiniums and other perennials and then feed to encourage a second flowering. • Water summer pots every day and include an organic foliage feed every week. The feed can be made from comfrey leaves that have been soaked in water for a week. • Keep on top of the weeds. • Feeding is crucial. Feed the box, feed the roses, feed the shrubs and definitely keep feeding the annuals. • Deadhead the annuals such as Cosmos and Cleome. • Keep picking and feeding the sweet peas every day. • Water the topiary if there is a prolonged dry spell. • Prune the Wisteria. • Tidy and trim the hornbeam beehives in the South Garden.…

CLIPPED PINE Fifty clipped plants of Pinus mugo subsp. mugo enclose the sunken deck, giving the monotone plant effect Ian was after to offset the swathes of wildflower meadow. Box was discounted due to concerns over blight, and yew was deemed too heavy. Pine also suits the exposed sunny site. NATIVE TOPIARY The topiary arrangements use native species, including holly, hornbeam, hawthorn and yew. Ian sketches how he expects the outlines to mature and Chris clips them accordingly. Their shapes contrast with the summer meadows, while in winter the evergreens and structure continue to hold the eye. RETAINING STEEL The corten steel retaining wall and steps were the solution to a marked level change in front of the house. Corten steel was also used to make three sculptural pieces that…

POTTED DISPLAYS Entertainment areas in the garden are given a finishing touch with cleverly placed ceramic pots planted with succulents. These were chosen mainly because they require little watering. Barbara sourced her succulents from Crocus. SEATING AREAS Benches placed throughout the garden provide places to sit and enjoy the fruits of your labour. This bench in the shady courtyard was a gift to Barbara from her gardener, Martin Hollins, who had it made from the trunk of an oak in the front garden that had to be felled. RAISED BRICK BEDS The series of raised brick beds next to the swimming pool boldly break up the hard landscaping around the water. They are the perfect way to showcase the exuberant growth and flowers of Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’. OUTDOOR OVEN The terracotta…

ORGANIC PARTERRE A traditional parterre would feature clipped, symmetrical box plants edged onto gravel pathways. Cogshall’s parterre is a looser, more organic take on the idea, still featuring Buxus sempervirens, but cut into rounds and sculptural shapes. CONTRAST & FLOW Create a story in your garden by planning through the space a current that leads from a section of distinct planting to another that contrasts with it. For example, from an area with a free-flowing, loose design to one that has a more rigid, angular design. LINEAR GRASSES The rectangular bed of linear grass represents mathematical and rigorous thinking and is a foil for the feathery, textural grasses within. Tom Stuart-Smith chose Molinia ‘Poul Petersen’, a purple moor grass which flowers in late summer. DECORATIVE GATES The metalwork of the…

• David and I travel widely, to gardens and to nurseries, and always return with new treasures. I talk to gardeners and growers, take notes and learn from them. • Visits to diverse Italian gardens have taught me about structure – and how to combine it with the exotics and foliage plants I love. • Many people have been influential to me: Christopher Lloyd and Fergus Garrett at Great Dixter; Helen Dillon, siblings Jimi and June Blake in Ireland; Karl Foerster and Piet Oudolf; and Sylvie and Patrick Quibel at Le Jardin Plume in France.…

SPARE DELINEATION A pair of sandpipers in rusted metal makes a statement with a warm-hued finish that evolves over time. Place them singly, or group a few together for a flock. Sandpipers, from £234 each, gardenartandsculpture.co.uk SENSUOUS CURVES At 41cm tall, in cast bronze, this detailed and refined sculpture makes a well-proportioned focal point for a modestly-sized garden. Bust Modern Woman £275, avantgardenguernsey.com IN THE ROUND Organic shapes often look at home in a garden setting, such as this 48cm-tall sandstone sculpure by Jim Milner, which was inspired by 19th-century mathematician August Möbius. Möbius I Maquette, £995, fivetwo.co.uk LATTICE WORKS Rupert Till makes wire and metal sculptures, many in the form of animals such as horses, hares and pheasants. Robin, above, is a screen sold with delivery and installation, from…

‘MOONYEEN’ Richard’s favourite pink, this heritage smaller-flowered martagon was bred in the mid-1980s in Canada. It can produce two stems per bulb and the red-spotted, purplish-pink petals sweep above long stamens. It reaches 1m. ‘LOIS HOLE’ The best pure-yellow martagon, according to Richard. It looks fine in bud and flower, and grows best in heavier soil. It is named after the Hon. Lois Hole to commemorate her being appointed 15th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and, in 2005, it cost $200. It reaches 1m. ‘CRANBERRY DANCER’ Richard’s favourite dark hybrid is a golden-yellow lily heavily spotted in cranberry-red. Robust and tall with a well-spaced crown of flowers, it bulks up quickly. It will grow to a height of 1.4m.…

To stroll through a field of lavender on a sunny summer afternoon is a rare treat. Warm sun and soothing aromas amid the gentle soundtrack of bees at work; this is the setting for halcyon days. In a small village in Somerset, a short drive from the Mendip Hills, two such fields can be found. Rather than a relic of bygone days, they are instead the result of the modern need for many small-scale farmers to diversify. Fifteen years ago, dairy farmers Judith and Francis Green had reached this need. Their livelihood at Horsepond Farm in Faulkland, Somerset, was under threat. The price of milk was falling and like many dairy farmers in the UK at the time, the pressure to diversify in order to make a living loomed large.…

Ah, summer. This is the time to enjoy the garden and bring friends and family together to feast outdoors. Whether it be a picnic on a blanket spread in the dappled shade of a canopy of leaves, or a formal meal around a table on the terrace, take inspiration from the memorable picnics and outdoor feasts in classic British fiction, where al fresco treats are always enjoyed in sunny, sheltered spots in blissful surrounds. Immerse yourself in an idyll of scented blooms, work up a childlike appetite for cherry cake and ginger beer, and enjoy mellow days in fresh air.…

THINNINGS FOR GARNISH Sow fennel direct and get three harvests from the same space. Sow an inch apart then thin out to one plant every three inches. Use the thinnings as a garnish. BABY BULBS FOR SALADS “Take out the baby bulbs in a second round of thinning, leaving the rest to mature,” advises Ollie. The leafy fennel tops are also harvested for the chefs. FULLY FORMED FENNEL Let the remaining plants develop fully-formed bulbs. Water regularly to avoid plants shooting upwards without forming their bulbous base.…

Why did you decide to write a book about gardens inspired by nature? Our upbringing is something that influences our designs; all our early memories are of being outdoors. The natural world is ingrained in us. It definitely influences our creative process and we want to show the whole process of designing a garden, from the initial sketches through to the planting and building. Why have you included so many pencil sketches of gardens in the book? We have included lots of these because we wanted the book to be approachable, so we started with drawings of the early concept stages of a design. Seeing lots of computer-generated design images can be off-putting as they look very complicated. Designing a garden doesn’t have to be complicated but it has to…

ASHWOOD NURSERIES A traditional working nursery situated in the West Midlands. We specialise in Hellebores, Hardy Cyclamen, Salvias, Hepaticas, Hydrangeas, Lewisias, Dwarf Conifers, Snowdrops, Primula auriculas and offer many more choice plants. We feel Ashwood Nurseries is a plantsman’s paradise. Our mail order service sends plants, garden essentials and gifts to UK and EU destinations. Special events throughout the year. Please visit our website for more details. Open Daily. Free colour brochure quote EG17 Tel: 01384 401996 mailorder@ashwoodnurseries.com | www.ashwoodnurseries.com Ashwood Lower Lane, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 0AE BEE GARDEN PLANTS Nestled in the surroundings of Stydd Gardens, Bee Garden Plants offers a unique combination of carefully selected bee-friendly plants and old fashioned roses which are available online and by mail order. We may be small in size, but we…

BORDE HILL SCULPTURE EXHIBITION Until 2 October, West Sussex View over 60 new sculptures displayed around Borde Hill’s formal gardens. Free with entry to the gardens (£9). Tel: 01444 450326; bordehill.co.uk FRESH AIR SCULPTURE 11 June to 2 July, Gloucestershire This outdoor show combines a mixture of traditional, modern and contemporary work. The biennial show takes place in the beautiful setting of the gardens at The Old Rectory, Quenington. Tickets £5. Tel: 01285 750358; freshairsculpture.com FRIEZE SCULPTURE 5 July to 8 October, London Frieze’s first ever summer exhibition will be held in Regent’s Park and will feature 25 sculptures created by contemporary artists from around the world. Free entry. frieze.com BARBARA HEPWORTH MUSEUM & GARDEN Open daily, Cornwall Gain an insight into the work of one of Britain’s most important…

ON ONE OF THE SUNNIEST DAYS OF the year in the north-west, when Cogshall Grange garden is bursting with colour, contrasting textures and a lushness that comes from its famed, concentrated naturalistic planting, the head gardener at the Northwich site lets the secret of the garden out. “I ban hoes completely here,” admits Adrian Lovatt, who has tended the garden for the past four years. “We don’t need them. You won’t see any soil in our borders, and that is how I think it should be. Our planting is so dense in our rectangular grass bed we can have up to 79 molinias a square metre.” The substantial planting at the Grange – a private home set in 100 acres of grassland – makes for an abstract painterly garden that…

Walk through textile designer Neisha Crosland’s highly original home near London’s Clapham Junction and you will glimpse a view of its peaceful, verdant garden from almost every angle. “It’s a whole new world – an oasis,” says Neisha (above). “And the reason for the house, as every aspect looks out onto it.” The garden is a collaboration between Neisha and Sean Walter, a plantsman and nursery owner. They are friends, having met when Sean was helping Neisha’s mother – Felicity, Roald Dahl’s widow – with her garden. With their combined talents, the two, designer and plantsman, make a good team: Neisha has a gimlet eye for detail, while Sean advises on planting and “organises the space”. Neisha has always taken inspiration from plants – a chapter in her book, Neisha…

The best way to see whether L. martagon will grow for you is to start off with one trial bulb acquired from a lily specialist. These usually cost around £6 each. Choose a shady spot that is not too dry, but one that does not lie wet in winter. If the trial bulb thrives, invest in some more. These lilies will grow well in most garden soil types, whether neutral, mildly acidic or alkaline. They do not thrive in highly acidic soil, or in very alkaline soil. They also need a cool period of dormancy to flower well, so they are ideal for cool gardens. Leave the seed heads intact. Once they land, they will germinate in the first year but stay underground in a process known as delayed hypogeal…

‘FOLGATE’ ‘Folgate’ is probably our most special lavender; it is a cultivar of L. angustifolia that has a wonderful scent and beautiful mid-blue flowers. We grow it here for essential oil but it is a robust lavender that will grow well in most gardens. It also has a good flavour for cooking. Height: 60cm. ‘IMPERIAL GEM’ A bushy deep violet lavender that is often overlooked. It is a similar colour to the common ‘Hidcote’ but bushier and it grows easily. A good choice for drying and for making lavender wreaths and decorations. Like all the deep violet lavenders, its fragrance is subtle. Height: 60cm. ‘GROSSO’ This is a large Lavandula x intermedia cultivar that flowers later than ‘Folgate’ so it will extend the flowering season in your garden. The flowers…

“At night they looked like a procession of white ghosts, or angels settling down for the night.” I have always loved Nicotiana sylvestris: tall (1.5m), stately, with huge panicles of narrow drooping white tubular flowers borne from August until the frosts, and the most heavenly scent. But however much I admired it in other people’s gardens, I could never manage to grow it myself. I tried it in the back of the rose border, and around the edges of the vegetable plot, but it was always munched by slugs and snails. I tried it in sun or, taking a cue from its name (it is a woodland plant), I tried it in shade. But the shade of my yew hedges was a bridge too far: the plants leaned at an…