Saturday May 19 2012
Gardening Archive
TheVillage Gardening
Six of the best
Posted on May 19 2010 at 10:57:05 0 comments
Two years ago, three garden owners in Withybed Green decided to open their gardens under the National Garden Scheme, as part of Alvechurch Gardens. The owners enjoyed it so much and had such a good response from the visiting public that they felt that they could almost open on their own, writes David Morgan.
They also discovered that there were other local gardeners who were keen to join them, so after much discussion and plenty of hard work, six individual gardens in the hamlet will be ready to open to the public on June 20. The gardens are an eclectic mix of styles and shapes.
Angela Haycocks at Fairview is a true local, having been born in a wooden building – which was on stilts – at the back of the Crown pub during World War II. Over the past ten years, her husband Bryan has transformed this one-acre site. He specialises in fuchsias, but he has also created a substantial allotment, herbaceous borders, a small orchard, raised beds and greenhouses. In the 19th century this site was used by Withybed residents for rearing pigs, chickens and growing vegetables, and was known as the Pleck.
Next to Fairview, and linked via a wicket gate, is 6 Rear Cottages, the home of “Rose Man” John Adams, who was twice featured on TV’s Gardener’s World. If we get typical June weather there should be an “extravaganza” of more than 150 old roses and their fabulous perfume. Together with John’s enthusiasm and experience as a rose-grower, it should prove to be an experience to remember.
John and Amelda have been creating this garden over the past 23 years. As well as roses, they have a newly planted orchard, vegetable garden and fruit cage. They are also keen bee-keepers.
Just down the alley from Rear Cottages is 2 Front Cottages. Ann and Clive’s typical narrow terraced house garden has three distinct areas: a patio with bird table and containerised plants including acers, pieris, hostas, azaleas, conifers, yew, twisted hazel and willow; a vegetable plot with raised beds, greenhouse and a pond; and finally a grassed area including a covered arbour and a number of shrubs, climbers, fruit trees, bushes, perennials and wild flowers.
Dunnocks and blue tits nest in the ivy covering the lilac and they share this habitat with toads, hedgehogs and mice. The owners hope the wildlife will keep the slug population down around their vegetables.
This sounds like gardening on a grand scale but the plot only measures 12 feet by 60 feet, so should be inspirational to any visitors with smaller gardens.
At nearby 6 Front Cottages, Malcolm and Juliet have spent seven years changing their plot from a hard landscaped garden to one with a much more rural feel. They recycled bricks from collapsing raised beds to make paths and used the wood to build a climbing frame, whilst the gravel was replaced with a small lawn. Many plants come from their families, who are all keen gardeners – indeed Juliet’s grandmother’s garden used to be open in its own right for the NGS.
As with No 2, they have squeezed a lot into a small space including ponds which provide an environment for frogs and newts – and there’s even a friendly toad who lives in a wall by the shed, who seems to take delight in watching them whilst they are gardening.
The fifth garden, at The Mousehole, has a very practical use as owners David and Lucy have two young children, who obviously want to play – so the long garden is a mixture of borders and play areas and is still under development. In time, they intend to create extra borders to add balance and interest. Participating in the NGS has been a great way for them to learn from other Withybed residents.
The final garden, at Selvas Cottage, is surrounded by huge old oak and ash trees, the remnants of the old forest of Feckenham (Selvas means Woodland). Wild cherry and service trees, wood anemones and sheets of bluebells flourish in the spinney.
Jeremy and Jenna have spent 25 years gradually changing it from a cottage garden of herbaceous flowerbeds, to one that merges into the surrounding woodland. As a psychotherapist and a Christian, Jenna knows the importance of finding space to think, pray or relax, so for the past eight years she has opened the garden from April to October for one day a month as a quiet garden. She has created secluded spots for reflection, to listen to the stream or watch the sheep in the adjoining field. Selvas Cottage will be serving refreshments on the day.
So, six very different gardens in one small hamlet where everyone seems to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of country life – and well worth a visit. Withybed Gardens are open from 2–6pm on June 20, with home-made teas available. Combined admissions £4; kids free. Follow NGS signs along Snake Lane and Withybed Lane.
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