On a clear sunny day at the end of summer I finally made it to Prospect Cottage, in Dungeness. Iâve known about Prospect Cottage for so many years that I canât remember how I first found out about it. A Southbank Show about Derek Jarman perhaps?
Iâd written a blog about planning your front garden this month. However after the severity of the announcement from the Environment Agency, that England faces water shortages within 25 years. And given that water is central to all gardens. I decided to start this blog by revisiting my trip to Beth Chatto’s Gravel Garden, which is the blue-print for water free planting.Â
When I scribbled the first draft of this blog, Beth Chatto was still alive, in fact we saw her pootling around on her mobility scooter the morning of our visit, the 12th of May. Sadly, she died the following day, as I reflect on the tour; it makes our time there even more poignant. I can understand why she was in the gardens to the very end; frankly if Iâd had a tent with me I would have slept there it was so wonderful!
As part of my own personal journey as a Garden Designer, I plan to visit as many gardens as possible (in the capital letter – destination sense, not any old garden) to gain more knowledge and experience. There is absolutely nothing that compares to seeing first hand, plants in their appropriate setting and planted in combination. I think it goes without saying that gardening is most definitely a profession where you are ALWAYS learning.
My intention was always to take pictures, as a reference, and the blog just sprang out of that, Iâm gregarious and a sharer, so it feels like the most natural thing for me to do. Plus many of these gardens survive on their entrance fees and donations, so if I can help inspire others to visit then no bad thing!
I am interested in design in general especially mid-century modern buildings and interiors so I may share other things that inspire me but mostly the blog will be about lovely gardens and plants. Iâm planning to post one a month in season (April â Sept) and less frequently out of season (Oct-March) but donât hold me to that, as I am a wee busy bee.