82. Garden Visit I
Visiting other peoples’ gardens is one of the best ways to get ideas and learn about new plants. It is fascinating to see how people who love gardening use their space. On Friday we had a tour of a local garden designed, planted and decorated by Diane. It was a treasure trove of decorative ideas.
Her planting and knowledge of plants is extensive. The beds are filled with acers, wisteria and interesting perennials. The garden pond has a pebble beach, waterlilies, miniature bamboos, ferns and beautiful blue hostas. The laburnum walk is underplanted by wisteria, roses and red hot pokers. Wherever you are standing in the garden there are views of interesting planting and quirky features.
Vintage decorative features are everywhere and add real personality and humour to the garden. Di’s collection of anything vintage has been put to good use; everything is used in some way to decorate the garden, nothing is wasted. She has been really creative in how she has used things: a vintage bicycle used for flowers at her daughters wedding now takes pride of place in the garden, shells used to mulch pot plants, old stained glass windows re-purposed.
Some highlights for me were:
the shed wall: covered in bamboo screening secured with wood struts and hooks to hang garden implements on. The rest of the space is taken up with bird houses and bee hotels.
the pond with its own pebble beach and waterlilies. It is relatively shallow with pebbles at the bottom and is surrounded by hostas.
the Chinese style gate is an old oak door with its original stained glass. The top is made up of planks of wood and the knobs from an old curtain pole. It is very effective.
the pile of logs laid out for the hedgehogs. There is enough space between them to make secure passages for little creatures.
the arch to the laburnum walk is made of metal but is covered in woven hazel branches. It softens the effect and makes it look a lot more natural.
Most of the plants are grown from seed or cuttings on site and there a lot of them. I learned about Angels Fishing Rods (Dierama): a grassy plant with dainty pink flowers dangling from thin arching stems. She had a great selection of succulents grown in interesting containers with my favourite being an ice plant in an old paint pot. There are lettuces grown in an old trough surrounded by blue mosaic glass and pine cones.
This garden is a labour of love and vintage creativity. Diane spends all summer outside in the garden and retires to the garden room in the winter to pursue her crafty pursuits. A big thanks to her for sharing her lovely corner of Parkgate with us. I came away feeling inspired and brimming with ideas.