{"id":10364,"date":"2022-05-11T11:11:52","date_gmt":"2022-05-11T09:11:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=80152"},"modified":"2022-05-11T11:25:10","modified_gmt":"2022-05-11T09:25:10","slug":"an-edible-forest-garden-in-cornwall","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/an-edible-forest-garden-in-cornwall\/","title":{"rendered":"An edible forest garden in Cornwall"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Jason Ingram\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 11 May 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Sid Hill\u2019s passion is creating landscapes and plantings that echo wild plant communities. His designs often feature perennial meadows<\/a>, small-scale woodlands and wetlands \u2013 habitats that produce useful resources, restore environments and improve people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

The origins of an edible forest garden lie in gathering and indigenous culture, where nature and cultivation coexist and benefit the planet. This groundbreaking Cornish edible forest garden was created in 2018 for a client who wanted just such a garden \u2013 for wildlife, flowers and harvests. The small plot occupies a southwest-facing slope tucked behind thick hedges. Situated adjacent to the house, the edible plants<\/a> are close at hand and the wildlife noticeable from the kitchen windows.<\/p>\n

The garden is designed to mimic the layers of a natural forest ecosystem while the plant choices focus on edibles and medicinals<\/a>. The priority is herbs for brewing tea, so fennel, mints and lemon verbena<\/a> are prolific. Trees and shrubs were selected to offer edible crops and create an open canopy that allows light to filter through to lower layers of planting.<\/p>\n

A yellow-flowered Cornus<\/a> mas lights up the garden in early spring, the autumn fruit delicious eaten raw, dried or cooked. Another forest garden favourite, Amelanchier alnifolia<\/em>, has a beautiful light habit, producing first a cloud of showy white blossom, and, from midsummer, lush, dark berries.<\/p>\n

Blackcurrant and gooseberry bushes mingle with a dwarf apple and a pear tree, while a perennial woodland meadow forms an intricate, biodiverse thatch of wildflowers. Chives and sorrel have been added to enhance the edible credentials of the \u2018forest floor\u2019. Such an impressive variety of habitats increases the biodiversity.<\/p>\n

IN BRIEF<\/strong><\/p>\n

What<\/strong> An ecological edible forest garden underplanted with a diverse woodland meadow.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Where<\/strong> Cornwall.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Size<\/strong> A small plot within a more conventional but ecology-focused, one-acre family garden. The forest garden is just 29 square metres.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Soil<\/strong> Fertile loam 50-60cm deep.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hardiness zone<\/strong> USDA 9b.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

A lofty, multi-trunked Cordyline australis<\/em>, or cabbage palm, rises dramatically above a complex planting of edible shrubs, trees and perennials<\/a>. Shrubs, such as Mahonia aquifolium<\/em> with its edible berries and flowers, contribute to harvesting potential as well as the layered planting.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

Wooden and stone features pepper this busy, yet unified space. These have been imaginatively crafted by Sid from found materials. Wildlife is encouraged and celebrated, with additions such as insect boxes<\/a> displayed rather than hidden away.<\/p>\n

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Habitats for wildlife are a priority in this ecologically focused garden, and include a decaying log stack much as you might find when out walking in the woods. Well placed in a quiet spot at the base of a thick hedge, it attracts beetles and grubs and adds atmosphere.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

A simple timber table and chairs create a destination within the garden. A tree fern at the foot of a beautifully carved tree-trunk sculpture is a remnant from a previous planting, and the phlomis was retained for its structural interest and resilient habit.<\/p>\n

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Stepping stones provide an unobtrusive pathway through the forest garden, and any open ground is covered by a colourful mix of perennial daisies<\/a>, wild strawberries and potentilla. The informality and density of the sown woodland meadow creates a sense of beauty and cohesion.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

The grass-free meadow planting<\/a> \u2013 a jostling crowd of Silene dioica<\/em> (red campion), Aquilegia vulgaris<\/em> (granny\u2019s bonnet) and Leucanthemum vulgare<\/em>\n(oxeye daisy) \u2013 evokes the romance an open woodland glade and is abuzz with insect life.<\/p>\n

8 plants for an eco garden<\/h2>\n
\""Common\"<\/picture><\/div>
Rumex acetosa<\/strong> Common sorrel is a hardy, perennial alternative to spinach. Tangy, citrusy and versatile leaves. 60cm<\/span> <\/figcaption> \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Chives"\"<\/picture><\/div>
Allium schoenoprasum<\/strong> Chives are bulb-forming perennials with edible, tubular leaves and edible, nectar- and pollen-rich purple flowers that are attractive to pollinators. 30-50cm<\/span> <\/figcaption> \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Apple\"<\/picture><\/div>
Mentha suaveolens<\/strong> Apple mint is a vigorous, hardy perennial. Requires moist but well-drained soil and some sun. Wonderful for cooking, mint has\u00a0a host of medicinal properties. 50cm-1m<\/span> <\/figcaption> \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Fennel"\"<\/picture><\/div>
Foeniculum vulgare<\/strong> A structural, aromatic, short-lived perennial herb, valued as a digestive plant. Fennel leaves are good used for tea and in salad. The seeds are eaten by birds in autumn and the sturdy stems provide\u00a0shelter over winter. 1.5-2.5m<\/span> <\/figcaption> \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Kale"\"<\/picture><\/div>
Brassica oleracea var. ramosa<\/strong> A perennial kale, easy to propagate\u00a0by cuttings. Excellent for stir fries. 1-1.5m.<\/span> <\/figcaption> \u00a9\u00a0Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Sweet\"<\/picture><\/div>
Hesperis matronalis<\/strong> Sweet rocket is a rosette-forming biennial with\u00a0tall, leafy stems and edible young leaves. The sweetly scented white\u00a0or mid-purple flowers are attractive to beneficial insects. Requires full\u00a0sun or partial shade. 90cm<\/span> <\/figcaption> \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Woodland\"<\/picture><\/div>
Onoclea struthiopteris<\/strong> This striking, hardy, woodland fern is one of a handful of ferns that are edible. In some cultures the fronds are consumed as a spring treat, much as we feast on asparagus in May. 1-1.5m<\/span> <\/figcaption> \u00a9\u00a0Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Chilean\"<\/picture><\/div>
Ugni molinae<\/strong> Chilean guava is an upright evergreen shrub that has\u00a0small, leathery leaves and a crop of miniature, tasty berries. Sheltered\u00a0spot in full sun or partial shade. 1-1.5m.<\/span> <\/figcaption> \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Find out more about Sid\u2019s work at sidhillecogardens.com<\/a><\/h3><\/body><\/html>\n
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