I
spent a lovely morning at the Bride and Groomsport
garden. Cherry and I paid a visit to see how
Lee and Noel had finished the job.
It
is fantastic. The completed garden has a dividing
wall to provide shelter and screening. The
soft honey-yellow patio tiles contrast with
the natural blue shades of the dwarf retaining
stone walls. More plants have been purchased
which, together with a wedding present of
a specimen Chusan palm (Trachycarpus fortunei),
have filled the beds.
Lee is a big fan of planting in groups of
three and even now the smaller edging plants
such as dianthus, lithodora, sedums and saxafraga
are forming clumps.
On the timber lattice fence behind the patio,
two climbing Jasminum officinale with fragrant
white flowers in summer, sandwich a Clematis
‘Lady Betty Balfour’ which flowers
in late summer and early autumn. Its large
purple flowers fade to dark blue showing off
the golden anthers. This variety prefers
a sunny site and will catch the evening sun.
To make space for the palm, the Hamamelis
x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’
had to be moved. It had been planted by Noel
with loving care and received the same attention
when it was transplanted. It is thriving.
The practice will prove useful when it comes
to autumn. A few plants are too close together
and two of the three Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
var.repens will have to find another home.
Each will grow to 3-4 ft high with a spread
of 9-10 ft.
All that remains to do is apply a surface
mulch of bark to help with weed control and
dress the soil. It is a garden to be proud
of and when the weather is kind will be in
constant use for entertaining
and relaxation.
Congratulations on a job well done. Lee and
Noel started out as complete amateurs with
a plot of ground and in a short time have
become experienced gardeners with a love of
plants.
It
is fantastic. The completed garden has a dividing
wall to provide shelter and screening. The
soft honey-yellow patio tiles contrast with
the natural blue shades of the dwarf retaining
stone walls. More plants have been purchased
which, together with a wedding present of
a specimen Chusan palm (Trachycarpus fortunei),
have filled the beds.
