1997 and Leylandii Nightmare!!

We began work on our garden at Greenacres in September 1997 having moved here in August that year. Beautiful mature lime and poplar trees at the front and rear of the garden as well as a few specimen conifer trees and shrubs were the only plants that deserved preservation. The whole property was engulfed in towering Cupressus leylandii in hedges 30 feet high and 15 feet wide so initially work in the garden consisted of felling over 60 trees, dealing with the wood and foliage as well as removing all the roots. We have recently removed a further 60 from the drive alongside the garden.The wood is used to fuel our woodburning stoves and the branches shredded and used for mulching.

Overgrown and exhausted beds were removed and unwanted apple and plum trees were removed from the orchard. We planted greengage, walnut and dessert apples to provide variety. The greenhouse that we inherited remained and we added another larger greenhouse and a polytunnel, essential for propagation and early vegetables as the Spring can be slow and late here in the Cotswolds.

The first of our large informal borders was created at the end of 1998 and the planting here is intended to offer a variety of seasonal interest with large deciduous flowering shrubs, perennials and bulbs. “Star” performers like peonies provide short lived but brilliant vibrancy and scent and Acer drumondii is maturing to provide lovely variegated foliage. In 2012 this border was improved with the addition of stepping-stones to create a secret seating area and pathway that enables access to a walk around the rear of the border to a clematis covered wooden arch and another warm secluded seating area tucked against the wall of the house.

The magnificent blue cedar that used to great visitors as they came through the front gate unfortunately blew down and had to be removed in 2000. The Winter/Spring heather garden was created in its place with a backdrop of Cornus to provide red stemmed winter colour against the vibrancy of at least 80 Erica carnea in shades of pink, purple and white. Slow growing conifers and yew as well as Betula, Prunus and Amelanchier provide structure and height while hellebores, bulbs, primroses and lily of the valley combine to make this an outstanding border from late February through to April. Lavender “Hidcote” takes over in summer in an informal grouping teamed with orange crocosmia.

The gazebo garden was created in 2007 by erecting a wooden structure, which is the host for honeysuckle and summer flowering jasmine. The structure is fully covered now and provides a shady bolthole to enjoy lunch or afternoon tea. The rear garden was divided with a diamond trellis to create the wild garden/ orchard and the main seating area. The vegetable garden was established and more recently has benefited from the addition of raised beds and a large fruit/vegetable cage to deter pests. The soft fruit area enclosed in another strong cage, is prolific, producing red and black currants, gooseberries and raspberries.

A major building project in 2009 to replace the single story garage block with garages and accomodation over, initiated the re-organisation of the Pump and Trellis Garden initially created in 2006. This also enabled the creation of the Courtyard Garden where there are a variety of large and small pots containing shrubs, perennials, herbs and vegetables as well as clematis covered trellis enclosing the decked seating area and outside kitchen. In July the Trellis garden is spectacular with clematis Jackmanii romping over honeysuckle and Stipa gigantium acting as a foil to Crocosmia lucifer and purple Buddleia. The walls at the front of the house are home to a beautiful Wisteria, which is spectacular in May and June. An arch covered with white rose, Rambling Rector introduces a bark path leading to the Pump Garden and another stone seat.

Beautiful specimen trees bordering the front lawn and planted in 2006 as well as purple and gold Cotinus and Photinia are maturing to provide structure, contrasting colour and texture. In the Autumn the border glows as a game of putting can be enjoyed on the 9 hole course on the front lawn.

In 2012 the excessively large tarmac front drive was tackled and a large amount of tarmac was removed and soil re instated to create another large border. The planting here is prairie style with groups of perennials and shrubs repeated the length of the border. Dicentra, Papavar, Geums, Irises, Nepeta and Hemerocalis focus attention as the season progresses. Amelanchier and Prunus trees planted to echo the re- shaped drive provide height and at the far end of the border near the front gate a new Erica carnea/hellebore garden has been created. Snowdrops provide the first signs of spring here in early February. Hard landscaping around the new Coach House has recently been completed as well as the start of the woodland walk where newly planted silver birch trees are beginning to establish with under planting of ferns and hostas.