HeAd GArdener - New British Landscapes

30cm in height. Statuesque cut-hazel branches
take over once they are established. We often
plant in rows, but branches bunched into
a loose obelisk can fill a corner very well.
I find gardening in summer repetitive by
nature and, of course, slightly slower in the
heat. This steadiness affords an appreciation
of one’s surroundings that can prove elusive
while trudging uphill with endless barrows of
manure, or energetically carving up a huge
clump of asters. These are very physical tasks,
but summer gardening can, for the most part,
be done at Garsington wearing tennis shoes,
which comes as a relief after a long season of
heavy boots and hats. Deadheading, hoeing
and staking are my main activities in early
The mature trees, vibrant flower borders and wide views across The Vale of the White
Horse to the Wittenham Clumps seem to speak for themselves
summer. Careful winter pruning, autumn
manure and a spring feed have set the roses on
the right track. I no longer spray them, but
I deadhead the repeat flowerers regularly as the
weather, specifically rain, plays havoc with
delicate blooms, and balled rosebuds just mope
around looking tatty. I happily leave the species
62 the english garden July 2012
roses to their own devices, however - their
generous hips and fine foliage are often every
bit as beguiling as the early blooms.
When I support plants, I like to keep things
fairly loose, invisible(ish) and informal. I stake
most herbaceous perennials with cut down
pea sticks, reserving canes and twine for
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delphiniums, peonies and, later, for dahlias,
which we grow in quantity in the flower
garden. A mass of sophisticated deep red
Dahlia coccinea ‘Great Dixter’ and punchy
scarlet ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ alongside forests
of Nicotiana sylvestris and tumbling asters
certainly make for a late summer spectacle.
The mature trees, vibrant flower borders
and wide views across The Vale of the White
Horse to the Wittenham Clumps seem to
speak for themselves, and we have relatively
few planters for seasonal display. However,
the small pair on the island are good for
tulips - squirrels are poor long-distance
swimmers. We usually replant in late May
with pot geraniums. ‘Tom Thumb’ and
‘Appleblossom’ are favourites elsewhere,
but here we require impact, and it is the
bright tarty scarlets that win, hands down.
A moorhen will then usually sit here, rather
belittling my horticultural efforts. Of course,
the beauty of the subsequent chicks far
exceeds that of a gaudy pot geranium, and all
is instantly forgiven. The local red kites will
be after them soon enough anyway.
My days often end down by the lake,
catching reflections, clearing old drains and
enjoying the dragonflies. Thus the summer
passes. I anticipate ripening fruit and watch
the chicks grow up quickly.
Garsington Manor, 28 Southend, Garsington,
Oxon OX44 9DH. Open for the National Gardens
Scheme on 23 Sept, 2-5pm. Also by appt with
Hannah. Tel: +44 (0)1865 361234. Turn to pg
111 to find out more about a career in gardening.
Garsington notebook
OveR THe pONd
The white bridge (above) leads across the monastic
fish pond to a small island populated with species
narcissus and a handsome group of willows. for
a similar style, see the Koi Bridge range from
www.gardenbridge.co.uk
GARDEN
CHALLENGES
WIND: We’ve strong
winds on the edge of
the hill, so ties need
to be checked and
replaced regularly.
Natural twine is
kinder than metal or
polypropylene.
COLD: The past two
winters killed some
shrubs off. They are
rarely replaced like
with like.
TOp TIpS fROM GARSINGTON’S HANNAH GARdeNeR
● Always order extra and unusual varieties of annual seed in addition to saving your own.
This allows you to experiment, which is unreliable but exciting and keeps horticulture creative.
● Treat tulips as bedding plants. If you want a strong display, start with fresh stock
each autumn, and have a ‘dolly mixture’ area for all your odds and ends that you
have lifted and replanted.
AlSO IN THe AReA
Hannah recommends these other local hotspots if you decide to visit Garsington:
● NURSERY Newington Nurseries Good for exotics. Newington, Nr Stadhampton, Oxfordshire
OX10 7AW. Tel: +44 (0)1865 400533. www.newington-nurseries.co.uk
● PLACE TO STAY The Crazy Bear, Bear lane, Stadhampton, Oxfordshire OX44 7UR.
Tel: +44 (0)1865 890714. www.crazybeargroup.co.uk
● PLACE TO EAT The Mole Inn, Toot Baldon, Oxford OX44 9NG. Tel: +44 (0)1865 340001.
www.moleinntootbaldon.co.uk
● DESIGN Hannah also does design and consultancy. See www.newbritishlandscapes.co.uk
GARdeN
CeNTRe
NeARBy
● Spend time walking round and looking at your garden - it sounds obvious, but often
gardens are improved by what is subtracted rather than endless additions.
BRIllIANT fOR BIRdS
The dovecote (below) was constructed
from ships timbers back in 1714. This
date is scored in stone above the
ancient doorway.
16.5 miles from Rhodds Farm: Wyevale Hereford Garden Centre
Kings Acre Rd, Hereford, Herefordshire HR4 0Se. An array of superb
gardening products. The restaurant stays true to its original philosophy of
friendly service and excellent food. taurant stays true to its original
● Look after your bee population and abandon spraying as a matter of habit and routine.
● If a plant is struggling, listen to nature and plant something more suited to conditions.
GLORIOUS GARDENS
OXFORDSHIRE
STATUe SIGHT
Ancient characters stare out
across the formal Italian lake,
extended and formalised by
Ottoline Morell in 1925.