Village opens its gardens to enthusiasts

RICHMOND Villages Painswick is celebrating its four acres of land full of flowers, plants, trees and shrubs during Community Garden Week.

Each year the retirement village attracts a crowd of plant enthusiasts and gardening lovers to view its inspiring variety of flowers and plants.

This year the gardens will be open to the public on eight different occasions as part of the National Garden Scheme, which will be the village’s third year being part of.

The gardens at Richmond Villages Painswick are designed, maintained and developed by head gardener Anthony Mullaney.

His love for gardening started when he was 16 when his friend asked him to be a part of his small gardening business.

Anthony said: “It goes without saying that the gardens at Richmond Villages Painswick mean everything to me and my assistant gardener Luke.

“We are both very passionate about the gardens and we have both invested a lot of ourselves in the planning, planting and ongoing development of the grounds and gardens. Luke and I are not alone in this as the residents also share our passion for the gardens and the wider environment.

“They take great pleasure in the gardens and their input is always welcome. I believe that the value of the gardens was truly appreciated during the recent pandemic, and the gardens here provided a great source of relief for everyone throughout the pandemic and continue to do so.”

Richmond Villages Painswick also has a wildflower meadow that runs alongside a recently developed arboretum. In the meadow there are a variety of pyramid orchids, bee orchids, wild carrots and vetches, plus many more.

The arboretum, which was planted three years ago, contains oaks, hornbeams, maples, whitebeam, small-leaved lime and sweet chestnut.

There is also an abundance of wildlife due to the meadow, so the village has created wildlife corridors and other areas of habitat using dead hedges and log piles.

Anthony added: “Due to our field mouse and rabbit population we also attract birds of prey such as sparrowhawks, buzzards and we even had a red kite strolling between the trees.

“As we leave the meadow to die back naturally the field mice and other creatures have a year-round home too.

“In the winter months this attracts other wildlife into the garden, and for the last two winters we have had a pair of kestrels hovering over the meadow. Great for us to see but obviously not such good news for the mice.”

The village also has a rooftop garden which consists of a large central border surrounded by smaller borders with areas for seating and tables.

The rooftop garden consists of a varied display of flowers and plants and, from here, residents can enjoy the breath-taking views across the valley towards Stroud.

“For me, gardening is about being outside and being closer to nature, regardless of the weather,” Anthony added.

“It’s about creating and watching life unfold in front of you. In the spring, welcoming back the plants that disappeared in the previous autumn, hoping that they all survived the winter. It’s also an overall feeling of well-being.

“It’s hard to put into words but being around plants has almost a subliminal effect that lifts the spirit and brings happiness.

“I think an environment that includes natural elements and plants brings a positive outlook on life and boosts people into feeling more alive and active.”