Woodland Glade

I loved this part of the garden, as much as any other. I especially loved all the verdant hues. Like all parts of the garden it changed throughout the seasons. On either side, encroaching over the grass were two deep fuchsia-pink rhododendrons, possibly Cynthia. In the distance on the right hand side was a white rose, similar in many ways to Rosa 'Kiftsgate', multi-headed, creamy-white,  fragrant. It was a seedling from a rose that scrambled up a common oak on the left hand side of the walk and cascaded down, filling this area with the sweetest scent in June. The story was that the rose in the oak was a seedling given to Arthur many years previously but was NOT Rosa 'Kiftsgate' or 'Rambling Rector', yet no one could give it a name. Frankly we didn't mind what it's name was. Despite giving us a lot of work to keep it as contained as possible, we loved it.

On the left hand side, Cornus mas gave early spring blossom, Viburnum tinus seedlings, light purple flowered rhododendrons and a Cunninghamia - a straggly specimen it has to be said - but one we were nevertheless proud of.  The right hand side held yet more treasures,  Halesia monticola - the snowdrop tree, Cercis siliquastrum, a Davidia involucrata, that was by the time it matured best viewed from the farm lane several metres away. Mahonia x media 'Charity', along with a magnificent specimen of Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywood' - the Claret ash - the name speaks for itself, dark green leaves turned a reddish-purple in autumn. This names but a few of the delights to be found in this area and somehow the wavy lines that the encroaching plants gave, added more interest as you wandered up the grassy glade, wondering just what might be around the corner.

We called this area the wild garden. It was the last area to be tackled by us after fourteen years working in the garden. By now we had an professional sized shredder which saved us a lot of work in the long-term.