GARDENS
The Garden Enclosure Jottings
F
or a bit of gardening inspiration, there’s nothing better than taking a look at a display of show gardens, such as those seen at the Chelsea Flower Show, Britain’s pinnacle of horticultural excellence, or at Hampton Court, Tatton Park, some fantastic county events such as Sandringham, and the regional agricultural shows. Whether you attend and experience the atmosphere for yourself or just watch on TV (where I’m sure you see more of the show gardens) you can’t help but wish that your garden looked that good all year round – so why doesn’t it? Firstly, most display gardens are a bit of an illusion, they are a snapshot of one moment in time when everything is brought together at its peak (that’s not to say they are impractical or unreal). Secondly, budgets need to be generous as instant is expensive,
and thirdly, the attention to detail is very time consuming, requiring a skilled team to install and maintain the design. However, putting aside these minor details, there’s no reason why much of what you see cannot be created in some way in your own garden. Show gardens express the importance of structure, the balance between hard surfaces (patios, pathways, steps, features, etc) and the softer elements of the plants, creating an inviting and harmonious space. The majority of flower colour is produced by herbaceous plants, such as the beautiful sun-loving bearded iris, wonderful large-flowered oriental poppies, fragrant dianthus and carnations, centaurea (Knapweed), foxgloves and many other ‘cottage garden’ favourites. Green in all textures, shades and forms naturally creates the backdrop for these blooms
– lush hostas, soft conifers, bold fatsias, neat hornbeam hedges and sharply clipped box balls, interspersed with drifts of blousy lavenders or light and airy grasses moving gently in the slightest breeze. These borders look fantastic now, but for your own plot try to extend the season with planting that will reward you with successional interest throughout the year. If the opportunity arises, go and have a look at some local Open Garden events, where residents bravely open their side gates for a good cause, and allow the public a sneaky peek into their private space. These are genuine gardens maintained on an average budget in the owners’ spare time, giving you a realistic snapshot of what you can achieve in yours. At The Garden Enclosure, we stock all kinds of plants and have access to thousands more from our dedicated local nurserymen, so call in and turn your wish into reality, create a space that’s special, you don’t have to do it all at once, take one step at a time and your dream garden will no longer be an illusion!
Cheers Ken,
The Garden Enclosure, Banham bringing you a splash of inspiration whatever the weather!
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