a recent issue of Spadework - Cardiganshire Horticultural Society

garden was brimming with produce) and were offered an invitation
to return when the bluebells, rhododendrons and azaleas are at their
best. Mr and Mrs Newman have kindly extended that offer to us
and we are invited to tea in the grounds at the end of the afternoon.
In recent years our Annual Evening Garden Visit and Buffet
Supper has been in July. This year for Outing number 2 we break
that tradition, enabling us to see the garden of Mr and Mrs Tony
Crouch at Gwel-y-Coed, Gilfachreda, at its spring best.
Margaret Crouch describes its creation: ‘We came here in 1987
after building our home and commenced the creation of our garden
from 2 acres of rough grazing on a steep bank. The soil is shale and
clay and difficult to cultivate. However, after over twenty years we
have a pleasant garden with different “scenes”. The top third is old
meadow probably never ploughed and contains a wonderful variety
of wild flowers not least of which are the cowslips in late spring.
Below the wild flower bank, weeping silver birch give dappled
shade to the rhododendron and azalea bank. Amongst the birch and
on the south boundary are a number of oak trees planted about 16
years ago as germinated acorns from the Tal-y-Llyn Railway and
from Sissinghurst in Kent. On the north boundary there used to be
an herbaceous border but now a couple of shrubberies contain
various flowering shrubs for ease of maintenance. There is a small
rose garden around which runs an 0-gauge railway, adding another
dimension to the garden. Adjacent to the house is a small courtyard
and seating area surrounded by a rockery – now not as well
maintained as previously but makes a sunny place to sit on a hot
day. It is hoped that the cowslips will be at their best in early May
but the rhodi bank should also be looking good. There is, of course,
the unknown factor of what the sustained frosts of this winter will
have succeeded in doing! So – fingers crossed!’
The DafodiI Inn has been recommended by the Crouches.
Location maps for the garden and inn, along with menus, will be
sent to attendees once names have been received. Please then send
food orders to us for collating and forwarding to the inn.
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