Winter 2023
Hello Everyone
I haven't been able to write a newsletter for a while. Maybe it's a sign that I'm slowing down. I mentioned in my last newsletter that I would write about the history of our garden. I am still working on this. In the meantime I have taken a little walk down the nostalgia path and this newsletter tells a small fraction of times gone.
As it's over thirty one years since I started the garden, and twenty seven years since we welcomed our first garden visitors, so much inevitably happens. Garden plans, plant and design changes, colour combinations, conversations with so many people here, books read and other people's garden visited; such wonderful memories.
Inevitable changes must come in a garden of this age, either by design or Nature taking over. Whichever it is, it is always stimulating and enjoyable.
Photo 1: A memory of one of the many functions held here; in this case a small wedding. I always enjoy the views through to our paddocks, especially as the light changes throughout the day.
Photo 2: A highlight for me was the publication of my book. This is the book on display in Scorpio Books, Christchurch. I never imagined that one day I would write a book.
Photo 3: One of the changes that we have made is to the potager. The inner box hedges have been reduced in height by about eighty per cent. This now means that there is more of a sense of walking through the garden, and the plants are enveloping.
Photo 4: A photo taken many years ago showing that view again to the distant fields.
Photo 5: Our dear cat Sam who is now eighteen years old, and has lost part of his sight. He has had so many enjoyable times over the years, joining groups as they walk around the garden. He still enjoys an amble outside.
Photo 6: A favourite sitting spot, especially at the end of a summer's day, is the small terrace at the back of the garden shed.
This month six seedling trees of Acer pseudoplatanus 'Leopoldii' have been planted along the long driveway, and Moorpark apricot trees are being planted in a corner of the paddock by the visitor parking. Drimys winteri has gone in at the back of the new woodland area and we have planted the species camellia ‘Transnokoensis’. I had several of these years ago, but lost them. It is good to look forward.
There is an endless pile of books waiting to be read, the next one being Sue Stuart-Smith’s The Well Gardened Mind.
Best wishes to you all,
Margaret
