Gardens

May 2008 sees the launch of my new garden. It features four new beds surrounded by dry stone walls with paths feeding to the existing garden. The main path is flanked by eight 2.5m high Dicksonia squarrosa with a specially commisioned sculpture by Michael Calnan creating a focal point at the end.  In this area also is a woodland garden planted with ferns and grasses and inhabited by large boulders and quartz stones which form a tranquil, meditative space dedicated to the memory of the late John O'Donohue.

In 2007 a new rectangular reflecting pool was built.  Adjacent to this is an ancient stone wall which was discovered five years ago.  The top of this wall is planted with Stipa gigantea which is reflect beautifully in the pool.  'Planted' in the adjoining field is an inverted elm tree with its burled trunk and roots reaching toward the sky and reflecting in the pool in the morning light.  In this area of the garden are three large, formal beds which are home to thousands of tulips in the spring and, in summer, dahlias and other tropical planting such as Paulownia, Musa, Senecio cristolensis, Amicia zygomeris and Salvia confertiflora.  Other areas of the garden include prairie planting, a rock garden and a woodland and damp garden.