Our final talk of the season attracted one of our largest audiences of members and guests. Our Chair Nicky Pratt needed little introduction to talk about her garden at the end of Bruern Road. She moved there thirteen years ago to find half an acre of lawns, old fruit trees and a few shrubs. Since then with great vision a transformation has been achieved and it continues to change and to delight. Her love of gardening shone through with every word along with her expertise and enthusiasm. We were entranced and envious of her passion and energy.
The accompanying photographs , taken throughout the year, many by Alan Vickers, another MUWAGA member, enhanced the talk further and the hour sped by .
The garden has been designed with views from the windows of the house at the forefront of Nicky’s and husband John’s thinking. However, important features of relaxation have not been neglected -seating areas under trees, a hammock on the lawn and a large outside dining space with table and chairs .
We had a tour starting on the terrace ( with pots) and moving around via the different beds, aptly named top, middle and bottom bed. Mainly a cottage garden we recognised some old favourites – the salvia, the nigella, roses, clematis and foxgloves. Only small grasses are used so that they don’t dominate .Lilies grow well in pots so are placed in the borders and a dahlia fills every gap . Some more unusual things caught our eye and our imagination – a plant called sillybum and another called kiss me over the garden gate! There is one spectacular tree , a Pyrus Salicifolia. We glimpsed the vegetable bed , growing such delicacies as asparagus and strawberries and separated by 5 large oak posts , to catch the eye from the kitchen window. We saw herbs growing in a collection of galvanised troughs and containers, the greenhouse full of peppers and tomatoes in quad pots , the conservatory, home in the winter to more tender and exotic species, the orchard, the fruit cage, the shade bed and the polytunnels/cold frames for hardening off plants before planting out . The shed, compost area and pot store featured in the tour as well.
Lots of tips and hints were incorporated .