2009

The end of 2008 saw us giving thought to areas of the Garden that needed redevelopment namely two areas of the Meadow, one engulfed with Black Meddick and the second by a vigorous rye grass that choked all other plants. We decided that these should be re-planted maintaining only an area of the Meadow where the Orchids grow.
	The first area is killed off, deep dug and 2 tonnes of manure added before rotivating to a depth of 10 inches. This area will be planted with grasses iris and Phormiums.
The second area is killed off and the meadow turf removed ready for planting. This area will be planted with a small copse of trees and specimen shrubs.
	The new plants are ready to set out on the prepared border. The idea is to allow all the grasses and Phormiums to be planted at spacings that will allow them to achieve their full size without competition with other species, so that the shape and structure can be enjoyed to their full potential. Throughout the border 200 flag iris will be planted to provide drifts of colour and boundaries between the specimen plants.
The finished border planted up and top dressed with 3 inches of bark for weed suppression.
	The copse planted up with Betula Nigra, Prunus nigra, Acer flamingo and shrubs including Cercis Forest Pansy, Sambucus Black Lace, Cotinus Grace and Physocarpus diablo. The area is underplanted with narcissus for Spring interest before being top dressed with bark for weed suppression. Finally two stumps from a felled willow are cut into natural seats.

As the weather warms up we decide to add an exotics plants collection on the edge of the woodland. The area has been cleared of the self set saplings and five mature trees removed and the stumps dug out ready to prepare the area for planting. The canopy is reduced to allow the light to flood into the area.
	Clearance complete, the area is marked out and planting holes prepared. Many of the plants we propose are tender and will be grown in large tubs to enable them to be lifted and over-wintered in the polytunnels. The hardy species will be planted directly into the ground.

As the area is on the edge of the ditch line, it has allowed us to excavate and create a 'jetty' that steps down into the waterline. Whilst the ditch will be dry during the summer months, the steps enable visitors to view the plants from below, hopefully accentuating their size.
	And with the risk of frost over, the area is planted up, the growth from day one has been staggering, with leaves 2 foot across appearing in two weeks. Species include Gunnera, Rheum's, Canna's, Musa, Fan Palms, Zingiber, Hedychium and Arisaema.
To ensure maximum growth and the best growing conditions, this area has drip irrigators to each of the plants that automatically water on a daily basis. To finish off the design, post top LED lights have been added to under light the foliage at night. The lights can just be seen in this shot. If all goes well we will add a photo at the end of the season for comparison.
As to the rest of the garden ?, after a proper Winter and Spring the garden is now beginning to bloom. This picture was taken at the beginning of June just after a week of good rain which was badly needed, hopefully now the planting can flourish. The harsh winter, we recorded temperatures down as low as -9 DegC, has claimed many casualties particularly grasses, loosing every plant in the parterre and many in other borders around the garden. Another lesson on species to avoid or protect, if winters are going to change in the future.

December 2009 and all thoughts of gardening have ended as the garden is covered in a layer of fresh snow.

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