Taking on a derelict building is not for the faint hearted. Let alone a building partially concealed by six metres of brambles and a completely overgrown plot crammed with walnut, maple and oak trees<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
IN BRIEF<\/strong><\/p>\n
What<\/strong> A largely formal garden of rooms contrasted with romantic planting. Where Suffolk.<\/p>\n
Size<\/strong> Two thirds of an acre.<\/p>\n
Soil<\/strong> Clay improved with topsoil.<\/p>\n
Climate<\/strong> Temperate and fairly low rainfall.<\/p>\n
Hardiness zone<\/strong> USDA 9a.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
An Arts and Crafts mood ripples throughout \u2013 and chimes perfectly with the Victorian church. Ideas were cherry picked from visits to gardens of that era, such as Hidcote<\/a>, and details such as the topiary<\/a> peacocks on top of yew columns are a whimsical nod to the period. But it\u2019s the very spirit of the movement that\u2019s also felt in the whole fabric of the house and garden.<\/p>\n
One of the couple\u2019s triumphs is to make the garden feel as though it totally belongs to the church \u2013 and vice versa. Elements from the church have also been incorporated into the garden \u2013 the original font is now set in a small semi-circular bed with standard roses<\/a>. Nearby, an imposing stone cross, surrounded by a low box hedge<\/a>, greets visitors to the property. Jenny and John are rightly proud of what they\u2019ve achieved here \u2013 and their achievement is all the more remarkable for having done it all themselves.<\/p>\n
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\u00a9\u00a0Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nThe front of the house is punctuated with vast boxes full of John\u2019s precise topiary forms including box balls and spirals and cubes of Berberis darwinii<\/em>. The planters<\/a> have open bottoms so they don\u2019t dry out too quickly.<\/p>\n
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\u00a9\u00a0Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
The pretty gabled entrance is framed by Rosa<\/em> \u2018Sombreuil\u2019, a climbing tea rose introduced in France in 1850 that grows to 4.5m. Its off-white blooms appear almost continuously throughout summer.<\/p>\n
$\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nThe entrance to the property echoes the crisp formality of the whole garden. John designed and built the large York-stone water feature<\/a>. Originally, the plan was to grow edibles but it has been turned over to topiary and perennials<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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\u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nAcross the lawn from John and Jenny\u2019s home, a renovated neo-Norman church built in the mid 19th century, is a neat summerhouse<\/a> overlooking one of three ponds<\/a>. Like almost everything else in the garden it was designed and built by John.<\/p>\n
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\u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nThe pretty midsummer meadow<\/a>, which replaced an area of lawn that didn\u2019t thrive, is the newest addition to the garden. It is punctuated with views of the tall yew hedges that surround the main garden.<\/p>\n
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\u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nFrothy borders, filled with lady\u2019s mantle Alchemilla mollis<\/em>, Salvia nemorosa<\/em> \u2018Caradonna\u2019 and campanulas<\/a> among a mix of grasses<\/a>, including Stipa gigantea<\/em> and Stipa tenuissima<\/em>, provide the perfect counterpoint to the dark yew hedges.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Key plants in Jenny and John\u2019s garden<\/h2>\nRosa <\/em>Tradescant (= \u2018Ausdir\u2019)<\/h3>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9\u00a0Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nA repeat-flowering shrub rose, with arching branches, that can also be grown as a short climber<\/a> up to 2.4m. Its deep-crimson blooms have a strong, old-rose scent and healthy foliage. 1.8m x 1.5m.<\/p>\n
Iris<\/em> \u2018Picador\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
This strong-growing bearded iris was introduced by Benjamin Yoe Morrison in around 1930. Jenny\u2019s came from an iris found growing in her grandfather\u2019s garden in Kent, which remained unidentified for many years. 1.2m.<\/p>\n
Sisyrinchium striatum<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9\u00a0Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Clump-forming perennial with vertical stems that carry clusters of pale-yellow flowers and fans of lance-shaped leaves. Will re-flower if deadheaded and readily self-seeds. 60cm x 25cm.<\/p>\n
Lupinus<\/em> \u2018Gallery Blue\u2019<\/h3>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
In midsummer, deep-indigo spires are held above palmate leaves. It will repeat flower if the spikes are cut back. 50cm x 30cm.<\/p>\n
Rosa Wenlock<\/em> (= \u2018Auswen\u2019)<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
A repeat-flowering shrub rose or short climber with cupped, fully double, rich-magenta blooms and a strong, old rose fragrance. 1.8m.<\/p>\n
Clematis<\/em> \u2018The President\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9\u00a0Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
This free-flowering group two clematis<\/a> has been popular since its introduction in the 19th century. Its large purple flowers appear from June to September and have pointed petals and red centres. 2.5m x 90cm. AGM.<\/p>\n
Campanula persicifolia<\/em> var. alba<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9\u00a0Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Breezy spires of delicate, bell-shaped, white flowers appear in midsummer. Will readily self-seed. 90cm x 30cm.<\/p>\n
Allium hollandicum<\/em> \u2018Purple Sensation\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9\u00a0Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Balls of star-shaped flowers in vivid purple are held on spikes up to 1m tall. If the pretty seedheads are left this will enthusiastically self-seed. 1m x 1m.<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n
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