The Parterre in winter

When the house was originally built, the Duke of Bedford would visit for only a few weeks each year and that was generally in late summer to enjoy the salmon fishing.  The little Parterre (which was the children's play space) enjoys the summer sun and is a fantastic vision in summer...but winter proves much more challenging.  The soil depth is shallow and the ancient practice of using the arsenic sand for pathways means that we constantly have to improve the soil and bring in new nutrients.

The garden was never intended to be used in winter but nowadays we keep the house fully occupied all year round and want to look out on something interesting (even if we don't want to venture out in the freezing temperatures).So winter on the Parterre is a bit of a struggle.  In previous years we have tried various plants but they just don't fare well.

A couple of years ago we hit upon the idea of taking a more modern approach.  Using turf and gravel we 're-created' the river bed to echo the mighty Tamar that flows through the end of the garden. The concentric rings were filled with small sized gravel (like the river bed), bigger gravel (like the river edges), turf (like the river banks) and box balls (like the trees along the river bank).  To add atmosphere we then placed 4 moss filled wire fish, swimming along our pseudo river bed!  It took a bit of imagining but we liked it!

This year we are going back to re-creating the river bed but with an added dimension.  More fish AND a river monster who will chase the enlarged shoal.  The river bed is almost there and the fish are waiting in the wings.  Another day or two and it will be complete...wait for the photo of the monster!

Watch out...he's behind you.

 

A place of memories

The Memory Tree

People find gardens useful for all sorts of reasons...to sustain their body with exercise, growing fruit and vegetables, fresh air...or to sustain their minds and souls with peace, uplifting views and soothing bird song.  This year we have created a special corner of the garden dedicated to a 'Memory Tree'.

View from the Memory Tree

It is a quiet spot with a beautiful gnarled Acer and in return for a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support you can dedicate a copper tag to a particular memory.  People have written all sorts of things on the tags both sad and happy; special dates, names, words, places.

Memories enjoying the morning sun

The tags make an usual 'fruit' for the tree and glitter away in the autumn sun.  Nearby we have used part of a horse chestnut that came down last winter, to form a bench for those who wish to spend a moment with their memory...or just enjoy the view!

Being new to blogging

We wanted to share with you some more pictures of the garden here at Hotel Endsleigh.  All these photos were taken this morning as the sun came out. Over the next few weeks we will show you the nooks and crannies of this beautiful garden and also share with you some of the very special trees we look after.Enjoy!

Sunrise over the Parterre

The rose arch

Season of mist

The first frost of the winter hit hard last night but gave us a glorious start to the day.  The autumn colours stood out sharply and the clear blue (and very cold) sky was a stunning backdrop to the autumnal trees.  Couldn't resist a couple of atmospheric pictures of the garden!  Even the moon was still on display.

The long border, early morning

Stunning acers

Andy and Andy and 9000 tulip bulbs!

And then onto the serious business of the day. 9,000 bulbs to be planted in preparation for the spring.  We have chosen some stunning purple and white tulips which will (hopefully) emerge in great swathes of colour, threading through the long border. Andy and Andy started early this morning and are still going strong, planting away!