And now the Plan!

Now, you can see “The Long Garden Path” in context. All 160ft. of it!

The obvious solution, which we’ve adopted, is to create a series of separate gardens or “rooms”.

Let’s start at the top, by the house.

THE MEDITERRANEAN COURTYARD

The Mediterranean Courtyard

Our patio area, with a dining area under a pergola, clothed in scented climbers. A chiminea, flanked by more scented climbers, and lit by tealight holders, keeps us warm. Mediterranean plants and herbs in pots are grouped about. Adjacent to the pergola are two supposedly symmetrical herb beds, here, mainly the green herbs.

THE LINK or BLUE PATIO

The paved area continues, to “link” the courtyard to the Cottage Garden, leading past our brick built barbecue, and on to our seating area. It’s decorated here with blue glazed pots, filled with foliage. As well as the blue pots, a blue seat has been added and, more recently, a blue birdbath. And with a large emphasis on blue foliage, it’s had a name change. Sounds better, I think!

THE COTTAGE GARDEN

The Cottage Garden

The garden opens out here, in the Cottage Garden surrounding a large lawn. The Cottage Border flanks the brick wall here, with traditional cottage planting, including roses, all in pastel shades. On the opposite side, we’ve planted our Scented Shrub Border, hopefully providing scent all year round.

You’re drawn on now, down “The Long Garden Path” by the first of our archways, which dissect it.

THE GRASS GARDEN

The Grass Garden

You emerge into the sunshine here, and are faced with a large border, full of grasses and brightly coloured perennials. Shades of chocolate-orange, wine and gold. You can actually cut through the planting here, by way of a narrow gravel path which links to the concrete path which extends from here, the length of the garden, providing an alternative route round the garden.
On the other side of the central path, is the shed and the “yard” – the necessary work area!

You can now carry on through the next arch, and reach The Allotment.

THE ALLOTMENT

The Allotment

Well, the name says it all!
It’s a simple layout, of two long beds on either side of the path, for veg. The right hand bed borders the concrete path by the wall, making the beds more accessible. We’ve edged this with a row of fruit cordons. Pots also line the path with blueberries, strawberries and an assortment of more tender veg.
The left hand bed is narrower and shadier, due to the hedge, and we grow here, more permanent planting, such as rhubarb and artichokes. The woody herbs line the path, where the sun hits it.
Then you reach the two soft fruit beds, with berries and currants, each surrounded by box hedges.

Then on through the last arch.

THE WOODLAND GARDEN

The Woodland Garden

Here, mature trees create a very shady area, which is perfect for woodland planting, including shrubs and spring flowering bulbs and flowers. The interest is kept going with autumn colour, winter bark and stems, and, not forgetting, the all important scent.

All paths must lead somewhere, and the “Long Garden Path” leads here. Turn around and you can see all the way back up to the house. Paths need a focal point to draw the eye on, and so let me introduce “Kingsley”!

“Kingsley”

So there it is! Welcome to my world!