Orchard
A long straight path centred on Metasequoia glyptostroboides, on either side borders of mixed planting that mature from midsummer on. Here you will find a variety of herbaceous perennials, grasses and fruit trees. Many of the plants are chosen because they work in the sticky ground with a high water table – here we are on the edge of the marsh.
Clare Takacs
I planted this as an orchard, thick with daffodils at the far end. Not a fruit grower by inclination but I had a desire to sit under Spring blossom with scented flowering bulbs. Later, much later I winched out various unsatisfactory cherry trees and a Walnut called Rita that hated it here and then outlined the borders. I also made a firepit………that filled up with water! It is now a grassy ‘rug’ of Carex. This area does give us a bit of grass to loll around on very infrequently. Planting of the borders started with a mix of herbaceous and an understorey of annual meadow plants (poppy, cornflower, bishops flower, nigella and barley grass), but I let the garden teach me. The annuals, Echinaceas and others simply hated the ill drained conditions. But meadowsweet, thalictrum, ligularia, hosta, kniphofia and others loved it – so I have been constantly adjusting and playing with the planting. Indeed I think of this Orchard as a playground.
Selinum wallichianum, Angelica gigas, Crocosmia, Bennet Smith
Bennet Smith
Bennet Smith. Angelica gigas and crocosmia
Teasels, Bennet Smith
Orchard view into bog garden, Charles Hawes
Orchard
