A Series of Fortunate Events
This summer is the busiest we've ever had and that's not just down to the deadheading, staking and madness of the seasonal maintenance. No I'm talking Clapham Junction busy as a host of much appreciated guests have joined us, giving this summer a party atmosphere. First to arrive at Berryfields was Chelsea golden gardener Andy Sturgeon - taking up the gauntlet to plant up the garden for the senses which Monty started earlier in the year. His beautiful scheme is on the show tonight but keep it quiet because we haven't told Joe yet that his camomile lawn may soon be shaded by a new prunus serrula that Andy's put near to the fence!
And if that visit wasn't inspiring enough, the next talented gardener to walk up the drive was Toby Buckland. He's created a woodland retreat garden behind the pond and meadow. That will be on the show on August 1st. Now we are waiting with baited breath for the arrival of a gardening legend - Joy Larkcom, who has accepted an invitation to visit Alys and see how our vegetable garden is faring. Everyone is thrilled - particularly Alys, for whom Joy is a heroine.
While Berryfields bursts with many welcome guests, we've also been visiting gardens on a huge scale. There were geraniums and clipped topiary at James Alexander Sinclair's; an exotic taste of Singapore at ethnobotanist James Wong's, perfection at the home of 91Èȱ¬ Radio Northampton gardener Johnny Amos and a sanctuary complete with drying garlic garlands at Cleve West's. Truly I want all of their gardens in my own backyard - I'm just debating where I start.
There was just one day left over to visit Hampton Court with my horticultural producer Louise Hampden. It rained but not enough to dampen our spirits. What were my highlights? Ivan Tuckers' Forest2 - I want that in my own backyard too. On the flower front I found the beautiful geranium "Dusky Rose" to replace the one I managed to kill this winter and if I could ever grow Dahlias in my shaded garden then Twynings After Eight would be bought by the bucket load...Ahh well.
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