HeAd GArdener - New British Landscapes
HeAd GArdener - New British Landscapes
HeAd GArdener - New British Landscapes
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
A day in the life of a<br />
<strong>HeAd</strong> <strong>GArdener</strong><br />
Garsington Manor head gardener Hannah Gardener takes us through the experience of<br />
working full time in a beautiful six-acre garden, from the hard work and heavy boots of winter and<br />
spring to the tantalising scents and tennis shoes of summer and autumn<br />
PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM<br />
GLORIOUS GARDENS<br />
s<br />
OXFORDSHIRE<br />
July 2012 the english garden 57
GLORIOUS GARDENS<br />
OXFORDSHIRE<br />
Waking early, sunlight<br />
flooding my bedroom floor,<br />
I rouse my dogs, take my<br />
daughter’s hand and set off<br />
for the potting shed. This<br />
familiar wander marks the passage from<br />
home to work, and the start of my day as<br />
head gardener here at Garsington Manor.<br />
Negotiating the phalanxes of fastigate Irish<br />
yews - all slightly struggling with their<br />
starchy verticality despite the support of tight<br />
wire corsets keeping these grand old ladies<br />
in shape - we cross the south-facing slope.<br />
Coming around the back of a high brick<br />
wall, we enter the ramshackle, masculine<br />
potting shed, which is well hidden at the<br />
back of a pretty beehive glasshouse, full to<br />
58 the english garden July 2012<br />
bursting with the lipstick shades of zonal<br />
pelargonium flowers.<br />
Watering the potted plants is the first job<br />
every day from spring through to autumn. It is<br />
best to avoid delay. Watering cans, an eclectic<br />
selection of sticky traps, a spray of liquid soap<br />
(if the aphids are really getting carried away),<br />
and a keen eye are the only things required to<br />
look after the young plants for this entire<br />
six-acre garden, including the vegetables.<br />
They are the domain of John Prior, who has<br />
gardened here for 60 years.<br />
As we collect much of our own seed, I have<br />
never felt the need to buy Nicotiana sylvestris,<br />
N.mutablis, Salvia patens or an annual poppy<br />
of any description, but not all seed is as reliable<br />
and easy to nurture through to maturity.<br />
In spring, the 24 square box-edged borders are full of tulips, daffodils, swathes of forget-me-nots<br />
and wallflowers... Summer is the flower garden’s second planting chapter<br />
I boost our stocks of cosmos each year,<br />
and supplement the giant zinnia seed with at<br />
least one snazzy bright newcomer to contend<br />
head to head with the dahlias for the most<br />
gorgeous and garish late bloom.<br />
Summer is the flower garden’s second<br />
planting chapter. In spring, the 24 square boxedged<br />
borders are full of tulips, daffodils,<br />
swathes of forget-me-nots and wallflowers.<br />
I favour single colour varieties such as the<br />
vintage feel of Erysimum ‘Giant Pink’ and<br />
dramatic blood red ‘Vulcan’.<br />
Zinnias may need a little TLC, but not so<br />
the sweet peas, which we grow in profusion.<br />
We save plenty of seed, but I can never resist<br />
the promise of a new rich burgundy, or<br />
a moody navy. I particularly recommend<br />
‘Blackberry’, ‘Beaujolais’ and’ Hero’. Rosalind<br />
Ingrams, the owner of the manor, favours<br />
fiery magenta and scarlet blooms - so we<br />
agree to grow the lot.<br />
Sowing in spring (which for sweet peas is in<br />
January), I throw a generous handful of the<br />
intensely scented Lathyrus ‘Cupani’ into the<br />
mix. Introduced in 1699, it’s only a few decades<br />
younger than Garsington’s Jacobean manor<br />
house. I like the idea of growing it near the<br />
remarkable dovecote with its proud ‘1714’<br />
chiselled into the stone above the door.<br />
These rather demure little peas twine up<br />
the hazel sticks quite as easily as the more<br />
robust cultivars. Only Sam, another long-term<br />
gardener here, now in his 83rd year, has the<br />
patience required to guide the young seedlings<br />
with miniature rows of peasticks, perhaps only<br />
s<br />
PREVIOUS PAGE, OVERLEAF Hannah<br />
Gardener stakes in supports for delphiniums -<br />
just one of her tasks as head gardener at<br />
Garsington Manor. OPPOSITE, BOTTOM<br />
LEFT Hannah and her dogs xxxxxx and<br />
xxxxxxxxx. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT To<br />
look after the planters on the island, Hannah<br />
must venture out in a row boat; anticipating<br />
the bounty from the kitchen garden; Hannah<br />
deadheads the repeat-flowering roses<br />
religiously; sweet peas are a garden favourite<br />
here; the 24 square box-edged beds are<br />
planted up for summer with annuals such<br />
as cosmos, nicotiana and poppies, with<br />
structure offered by the fastigate yews<br />
and reliable colour from campanulas and<br />
roses; Hannah pots on more young<br />
plants in the potting shed.
I find gardening in summer... slightly slower in the<br />
heat. This steadiness affords an appreciation<br />
of one’s surroundings that can prove elusive’
30cm in height. Statuesque cut-hazel branches<br />
take over once they are established. We often<br />
plant in rows, but branches bunched into<br />
a loose obelisk can fill a corner very well.<br />
I find gardening in summer repetitive by<br />
nature and, of course, slightly slower in the<br />
heat. This steadiness affords an appreciation<br />
of one’s surroundings that can prove elusive<br />
while trudging uphill with endless barrows of<br />
manure, or energetically carving up a huge<br />
clump of asters. These are very physical tasks,<br />
but summer gardening can, for the most part,<br />
be done at Garsington wearing tennis shoes,<br />
which comes as a relief after a long season of<br />
heavy boots and hats. Deadheading, hoeing<br />
and staking are my main activities in early<br />
The mature trees, vibrant flower borders and wide views across The Vale of the White<br />
Horse to the Wittenham Clumps seem to speak for themselves<br />
summer. Careful winter pruning, autumn<br />
manure and a spring feed have set the roses on<br />
the right track. I no longer spray them, but<br />
I deadhead the repeat flowerers regularly as the<br />
weather, specifically rain, plays havoc with<br />
delicate blooms, and balled rosebuds just mope<br />
around looking tatty. I happily leave the species<br />
62 the english garden July 2012<br />
roses to their own devices, however - their<br />
generous hips and fine foliage are often every<br />
bit as beguiling as the early blooms.<br />
When I support plants, I like to keep things<br />
fairly loose, invisible(ish) and informal. I stake<br />
most herbaceous perennials with cut down<br />
pea sticks, reserving canes and twine for<br />
TOP RIGHT xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ABOVE xxxxxxxx xx<br />
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<br />
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<br />
delphiniums, peonies and, later, for dahlias,<br />
which we grow in quantity in the flower<br />
garden. A mass of sophisticated deep red<br />
Dahlia coccinea ‘Great Dixter’ and punchy<br />
scarlet ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ alongside forests<br />
of Nicotiana sylvestris and tumbling asters<br />
certainly make for a late summer spectacle.<br />
The mature trees, vibrant flower borders<br />
and wide views across The Vale of the White<br />
Horse to the Wittenham Clumps seem to<br />
speak for themselves, and we have relatively<br />
few planters for seasonal display. However,<br />
the small pair on the island are good for<br />
tulips - squirrels are poor long-distance<br />
swimmers. We usually replant in late May<br />
with pot geraniums. ‘Tom Thumb’ and<br />
‘Appleblossom’ are favourites elsewhere,<br />
but here we require impact, and it is the<br />
bright tarty scarlets that win, hands down.<br />
A moorhen will then usually sit here, rather<br />
belittling my horticultural efforts. Of course,<br />
the beauty of the subsequent chicks far<br />
exceeds that of a gaudy pot geranium, and all<br />
is instantly forgiven. The local red kites will<br />
be after them soon enough anyway.<br />
My days often end down by the lake,<br />
catching reflections, clearing old drains and<br />
enjoying the dragonflies. Thus the summer<br />
passes. I anticipate ripening fruit and watch<br />
the chicks grow up quickly.<br />
Garsington Manor, 28 Southend, Garsington,<br />
Oxon OX44 9DH. Open for the National Gardens<br />
Scheme on 23 Sept, 2-5pm. Also by appt with<br />
Hannah. Tel: +44 (0)1865 361234. Turn to pg<br />
111 to find out more about a career in gardening.<br />
Garsington notebook<br />
OveR THe pONd<br />
The white bridge (above) leads across the monastic<br />
fish pond to a small island populated with species<br />
narcissus and a handsome group of willows. for<br />
a similar style, see the Koi Bridge range from<br />
www.gardenbridge.co.uk<br />
GARDEN<br />
CHALLENGES<br />
WIND: We’ve strong<br />
winds on the edge of<br />
the hill, so ties need<br />
to be checked and<br />
replaced regularly.<br />
Natural twine is<br />
kinder than metal or<br />
polypropylene.<br />
COLD: The past two<br />
winters killed some<br />
shrubs off. They are<br />
rarely replaced like<br />
with like.<br />
TOp TIpS fROM GARSINGTON’S HANNAH GARdeNeR<br />
● Always order extra and unusual varieties of annual seed in addition to saving your own.<br />
This allows you to experiment, which is unreliable but exciting and keeps horticulture creative.<br />
● Treat tulips as bedding plants. If you want a strong display, start with fresh stock<br />
each autumn, and have a ‘dolly mixture’ area for all your odds and ends that you<br />
have lifted and replanted.<br />
AlSO IN THe AReA<br />
Hannah recommends these other local hotspots if you decide to visit Garsington:<br />
● NURSERY <strong>New</strong>ington Nurseries Good for exotics. <strong>New</strong>ington, Nr Stadhampton, Oxfordshire<br />
OX10 7AW. Tel: +44 (0)1865 400533. www.newington-nurseries.co.uk<br />
● PLACE TO STAY The Crazy Bear, Bear lane, Stadhampton, Oxfordshire OX44 7UR.<br />
Tel: +44 (0)1865 890714. www.crazybeargroup.co.uk<br />
● PLACE TO EAT The Mole Inn, Toot Baldon, Oxford OX44 9NG. Tel: +44 (0)1865 340001.<br />
www.moleinntootbaldon.co.uk<br />
● DESIGN Hannah also does design and consultancy. See www.newbritishlandscapes.co.uk<br />
GARdeN<br />
CeNTRe<br />
NeARBy<br />
● Spend time walking round and looking at your garden - it sounds obvious, but often<br />
gardens are improved by what is subtracted rather than endless additions.<br />
BRIllIANT fOR BIRdS<br />
The dovecote (below) was constructed<br />
from ships timbers back in 1714. This<br />
date is scored in stone above the<br />
ancient doorway.<br />
16.5 miles from Rhodds Farm: Wyevale Hereford Garden Centre<br />
Kings Acre Rd, Hereford, Herefordshire HR4 0Se. An array of superb<br />
gardening products. The restaurant stays true to its original philosophy of<br />
friendly service and excellent food. taurant stays true to its original<br />
● Look after your bee population and abandon spraying as a matter of habit and routine.<br />
● If a plant is struggling, listen to nature and plant something more suited to conditions.<br />
GLORIOUS GARDENS<br />
OXFORDSHIRE<br />
STATUe SIGHT<br />
Ancient characters stare out<br />
across the formal Italian lake,<br />
extended and formalised by<br />
Ottoline Morell in 1925.