An Englishman's Garden Adventures
Ox-Eye Daisyis just one among many common wild species that has flowered in lockdown, unimpeded by the council mowers this year. During the Coronavirus lockdown, there have been many reports of wildlife returning to towns and cities. In our little …
While walking in the South Downs National Park this weekend I came across a meadow with several wild-flower species. None of them are uncommon, but it is lovely to see them thriving and provides a reminder of the long-lost splendour …
Kingley Vale is the site of one of the most impressive natural yew woods in Europe. This national nature reserve is nestled in a south-facing valley in the chalk hills of the South Downs. (Google Map) In the dry valley …
Travelling home along a narrow country lane near Colworth, West Sussex, I was suddenly struck by a large splash of purple-blue flowers growing on the bank at the side of a field. The UK has an impoverished wildflower selection compared …
On the country drive I take to and from work there is a long straight section of hedge with a fifteen foot grassy verge in front. Each spring this verdant roadside stretch is illuminated with pointillist pale pink flowers of Lady’s …
Read moreLocal Landscapes 2 – Dramatic Drifts of Lady’s Smock
My drive to work takes me along a narrow winding country road and over a little hump back bridge which is one of the few routes that guarantee I won’t sit waiting at a level crossing. I have become very familiar …
Read moreLocal Landscapes 1 – Glorious Golden Spring Poplars
Pallant House Restaurant Courtyard, Chichester I spotted these weird sculptures through a gate of Pallant House courtyard in Chichester. It seems to be a variation on the green-man, but this ‘tree person’ has been espaliered! He’s looking a bit worse for …
Read moreEspaliered tree person thing and real umbrella trees (!)
Edwardian Gardening GeniusThe walled gardens at West Dean contain some of the finest examples of fruit training in the British Isles. Free-standing trained forms – pears in spectacular open drum and cone formations Wall-trained forms – pears, apples and gooseberry in …
This May bank holiday I went to East Sussex – the county I grew up in – and to my mind the most beautiful county in England. My destination was Great Dixter – the house and gardens designed by Edwin …
Out and About in Sussex, England: musings on creative pruning Most of the hedging in my garden is in the formal, rectilinear style, but I really like cloud-pruned hedges too. Here are a couple that are on public display, that I pass on …