U-turns

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This post is about about a garden which I did not love at first (but I do now, U-turn #1).

It's owner has lived there for a long time. Many years ago she decided that she did not want to spend much time on her garden and had all the lawns taken up and gravelled over. More recently, as she is spending more time at home, she has become rather fed up with all that gravel and is craving colour (U-turn #2).

Odd little places have become focal points, like this small round bed.




A year later, a central grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Forster') is being surrounded by Achillea 'Coronation Gold', Gaura lindheimerii 'Whirling Butterflies' , Verbena bonariensis and in Spring wild tulips.

The tiny silvery buds an the achillea will soon be giant yellow disks

The path leading up to the front door was flanked by conifers that had seen better days

The conifers were dug up in autumn 2009, the soil improved and roses were planted just before Christmas. Two obelisks break up the linear structure and have been planted with climbing Rose 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' and clematis. Mrs U-turn enjoys cut roses from June to November.

Rosa 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' and Clematis 'Duchess of Albany'

David Austin shrub roses have been planted either side of the path, seemingly chosen at random, carefully avoiding complete symmetry. Amongst them are Benjamin Britten, Molineux and Queen of Sweden.

Benjamin Britten

Queen of Sweden

Molineux (complete with hoverfly)

A rather ghastly expanse of gravel covered sheets of blue plastic, 70's or 80's style of weed suppression. It was topped by paving slabs. I thought I had a photo of it somewhere but the sight must have so traumatised me that no photo was taken. Mrs U remembers it well though but much prefers the current version.



 The new round bed at the front of the property is a riot of yellow, purple and red. As I write, the achillea (yes, Mrs U likes it so much, she has it in two beds) is having its second flush, Karl Forster provides year round movement (yes, he's here, too) and Aster nova-anglia 'Marina Wolkonsky' is providing some dark purple contrast. My favourite however is Cephalaria gigantea, a tall and striking plant that truly rises like a phoenix from the ashes.

A small strip adjacent to the road hosts magnificent peonies that have been there for decades. Stunning for about a fortnight in May, if typical Bank Holiday weather does not spoil the majestic blooms. To make this patch work a bit harder, autumn flowering perennials are providing interest once the peonies have been cut back. As Mrs U is particularly fond of michaelmas daisies, she has Aster x frikartii 'Moench' and Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'.

Aster x frikartii 'Moench', a mildew resistant variety

Last but not least, a particular delight for Mrs U. In our early days of working togather I suggested a round obelisk for the back garden, to be planted up with a combination of rose and clematis. As Mrs U is often directing proceedings from a comfy chair, an obelisk is a fabulous way to give height. I enquired about colour preference and salmon pink was chosen by Mrs U.

My recommendation was for a small and well behaved rambling rose, a multiflora which repeats and will flower on and off all summer and well into autumn. It is called 'Ghislaine de Feligonde'. I have paired it with an equally striking purple clematis 'Black Prince' whose small but numerous flowers complement the pale charm of the rose.

'Ghislaine de Feligonde'



Clematis 'Black Prince' (photocredit Taylors Clematis)


I hope you enjoy the U-turn as much as Mrs U and I.