The garden is a mix of trees, wild and cultivated areas and I have landscaped to encourage as much interaction and ‘wandering’ through the garden as possible.
A great source of inspiration while creating ‘A Celebration of Nature’ was my own garden.
Over the last 40 years, I’ve maintained this largely wooded space, as a semi-wild garden. It has the usual garden ingredients; lawns, flowerbeds and vegetables etc., along with woodland habitats where flowers, birds and insects can be seen in their natural surroundings. It’s been an invaluable resource for the book, as it allows me to observe nature moving with the seasons right on my doorstep.
Its proximity to a lively river gives it a lot of character - the constant sound of the water running over the rocks in the background. There are a considerable variety of trees, amongst which the house is situated, making it a brilliant hide for watching numerous birds as well as red squirrels.
Most of the garden is set on a steep slope, which creates dynamic effects of the light where the foliage is lit from beneath in the morning, and from above later in the day. It’s structured by terraces, steps (keeping me very fit!), and many winding paths through the woodland which add a sense of mystery and encourage exploration. There are tantalizing glimpses of the sparkling river through the trees and strategically placed seats invite moments of contemplation.
If you want to see a video of the garden from a few years ago, Back in August 2012 ‘Beechgrove Garden’ came to film here, of course choosing the worst and wettest of summers. They hoped to film flowers and plants featured in the August chapter of the book but lots of things hadn’t flowered, had been eaten or drowned, and I managed to fell the only cranesbill flower with my strimmer just before they arrived – typical!!
However, in the end it was a fantastic day and a wonderful (if somewhat nerve-wracking) experience overall, the team were great and it was a privilege to be featured on such a well-known programme.
