Welsh Country - Nov Dec 2018

Llysdinam-Turkey Oak Tree planted in 1840’s
The measure of a
successful garden is one
that can provide interest
at any time of year and the
National Garden Scheme
is blessed with a number
which warrant the epithet.
All the following gardens are
open by arrangement during
November and December.
Bwlch y Geuffordd
near Aberystwyth is a
3 acre wildlife garden
formed from a former
windswept moorland at
1000ft.There are diverse
gardens surrounding a lake
which is fed by a small
stream entering through
a gargoyle. Spanish,
African and Oriental
gardens are ornamented
with appropriate artefacts,
sculptures and planting. A
huge range of inspiration
for “plantspeople “at any
time of year together with
peace and tranquillity for
the stressed. Although the
individual gardens differ
widely in character, they
hang together as a delicious
whole.
Moving further
west to Llwyngarreg,
near Whitland in
Carmarthenshire we find
a garden which has been
blessed with many natural
features that Paul and Liz
O’Neill have had the flair
and skill to utilise. This
2 acre plot will delight
plantsmen with its many
rarities. Full of late autumn
colour, salvias, mahonias,
salix and cornus stems are
supplemented by colourful
berries, evergreen structure,
bamboos and grasses. This
garden repays a visit at
any time of year and has
surprises around every
corner, look especially at the
brilliant use of living willows
to create amusing garden
features.
The 20 acre garden at
Llysdinam in Newbridgeon-Wye,
Powys surrounds
Llysdinam Hall and has
been in continuous use by
the same family for 150
Llwyngarreg Salvias in late
autumn
years. As winter approaches
the bones and structure of
planting is revealed. The
specimen Turkey Oak on the
main lawn was planted in
the 1840’s and leads the eye
out to views across the Wye
valley. Many of the original
Victorian paths edged with
stones are unveiled in winter
and pet gravestones and old
flower beds are delineated
with frost. Seed-heads
are left for wildlife and to
provide winter interest. The
greenhouses are filled with
pot plants being brought
into flower for Christmas.
This is a working garden
and whatever the weather
the gardeners will be busy
Llwyngarreg
Above: Winter
Right: Late Autumn
repairing paths and fences,
making Christmas wreaths,
cutting back and mulching
borders.
Making the garden
interesting in the last
months of the year can be
a challenge but at Llys-y-
Gwynt near Bangor it has
been faced and overcome.
The structure of a garden
is all important at this time
of year and it is amazing
how a few clipped features
can help. The planting of a
group of golden shrubs in
“
The measure of a successful
garden is one that can provide
interest at any time of year and
the National Garden Scheme
is blessed with a number which
warrant the epithet.
”
54
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