Gardens are private, often intimate spaces, full of personal experiences and each carry the DNA of the people who created them. Trace elements of your personality are always present in your garden for they inevitably express the things you like and enjoy. Each of us is different so it follows that each garden we create will also be different and this is something I feel we should celebrate.To open your garden gate and share this personal space with visitors is, to an extent, to allow people a glimpse into your private life and to some this can be daunting. It was for Vanessa and I when we first opened in support of the National Garden Scheme (NGS) back in 2008 at Linden Barn. But you soon begin to understand that the people who come and visit are embracing the love of plants and gardens in their diverse range of forms. Everyone takes something from all gardens they visit whether the garden is large and grand or small and intimate. Some of the most inspiring gardens I have seen are small and compact but beautifully formed.
Yesterday we held our annual NGS opening. We have many gardening and horticultural groups who visit us but yesterday was the day when all are welcome without appointment. The weather was kind and generous and we were supported by Diana and Dawn - who provide wonderful tea and cakes - along with Angela and Andy from Butterfly Cottage Garden Plants who grow the most wonderful and lovely plants that you can imagine at their nursery in Cheriton. Much money was raised and a good time was had by all. To all who came and donated generously to such a good cause - thank you.
We enjoy sharing the garden and our experiences in creating it. We also love discussing our shared passion for gardening while it is also lovely to see children, yet to develop any real horticultural interest, playing and exploring the space we have created.
But we never forget our special four legged friends who are always welcome in this garden. All our dogs, past and present, are as much owners of our garden as we are. The trees they have knapped under, the games we have shared. The moments a trug has been looted of some muddy or slimey contents or a border crossed as a short cut are memories that all the gardens we have created conjure up. All are fond memories.
Which is the whole point really. Gardens are about experiences, memories, thoughts and inspirations. These exist in our minds but the physical reality is the plants and the space that has been created. Add in some plants you can take home and plant in your own garden plus a healthy slice of cake and a cup of tea and you have pretty much the perfect day!
