Saturday May 19 2012
Gardening Archive
TheVillage Gardening
A labour of love
Posted on April 18 2009 at 9:59:55 0 comments
The special garden being created ready for a charity open day.
While the rest of the Alvechurch gardens take a break from the big national charity opening this summer, one regular is going to be a very special place to visit.
Rectory Cottage, already a lovely place to spend an hour or two over the past few years, has seen a great deal of effort and activity across an area which had previously lain untouched.
A large stretch of land, bordered on either side by the Arrow and a water course that previously fed the mill-race of Rectory Mill, is being transformed into a water garden and new lawns.
It is being created in memory of Stephen Hitch, who lived at Rectory Cottage, in Old Rectory Lane, until his death from cancer last August.
The new garden was his inspiration and design and he was well enough to start the construction and oversee it for the first few weeks.
He left a sketch and lots of verbal instructions, and his son, Nick – who runs his own business, NSH Landscape and Garden Maintenance – has been bringing it to fruition, together with his widow Celia and family and friends.
It includes a large lily pond with bridge over and decking – all lit up at night – a slate waterfall, a large spread of borders with pebbles and extensive planting, and so much more.
The new garden will no doubt be “still under construction” right up to the day it is opened to the public in the National Gardens Scheme on June 7. But it promises to be well worth a visit – as are the rest of the gardens at Rectory Cottage, including established riverside borders, secret garden, carp pond with sluice gate and the walled courtyard garden where cream teas will be served.
Rectory Cottage, which is also well known as a successful Bed & Breakfast venue, will be open from 1pm-6pm, with admission at £3 and accompanied children free. For further information regarding B&B or the garden opening on 0121 445 4824.
While most of Alvechurch takes a rest from the National Gardens Scheme, the very popular and highly regarded Marlbrook Gardens will again be showing what they’ve been up to over the past year. With two gardens in Braces Lane and one around the corner in Birmingham Road, they offer a great Sunday afternoon out. The gardens are of contrasting style, from gently sloping to challenging terraces.
Alan and Lynn Nokes’ garden at 24 Braces Lane is a sloping south facing garden landscaped into four “rooms”.
Saranacris, at 28A Braces Lane, created by John and Janet Morgan, is described as a riot of colour in an unusual terraced garden designed and built by them in a former sand quarry.
Oak Tree House, at 504 Birmingham Road, the home of Di and Dave Morgan is a plantsman’s cottage garden overflowing with plants, pots and interesting artefacts plus grass paths, wildlife pond, waterfall, alpine area, plenty of seating, secluded patio and a rear open vista.
Marlbook Gardens are open on Sundays May 31, July 5 and August 2 from 1.30-5.30pm. Combined admission is £5, children free. There is also an evening opening, with the gardens illuminated on Saturday September 5 from 6.30pm-10pm when admission is £6, including a glass of wine. For further information, call 0121 445 5823 or see http://www.marlbrookgardens.com
You may also like to read this article by Dave Morgan on the work that goes into preparing Marlbrook Gardens.
* The splendid gardens created at Pump Cottage, Weatheroak Hill (B48 7EQ), by Barry Knee, which featured on the cover of this magazine in July 2007, open for the National Gardens Scheme on June 19, 20 and 22 from 11am-5pm. Admission £3, children free. Further details on 01564 826250.
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