The Old Cottage Garden

The Old Cottage Garden, Colby Corner

Take a tour of the garden by clicking on the numbers indicated on the plan.

Development of the Garden

Judith and Stuart Clarke purchased what was The Cottage in 1970. The property had originally been three separate cottages, and although the previous owner had started to convert it to one residence, only part of it was habitable.

The garden, which contained the communal well, was in three parts divided by hawthorn hedges with damson and bulous trees. Years ago, refuse collection in the country did not exist and the garden was covered with pits containing bottles, cans and lots of animal bones - in fact any rubbish that could not be burned. At some point a car had been partially buried, probably as a house for the chickens. Fortunately, it was south facing and had been cultivated to produce a good loamy neutral soil. In 1971, a few trees were planted which are still a feature of the garden.

Work and children meant that time for gardening was limited and any spare money was spent on other pastimes. Large areas of the garden were set aside for the children to play, or to house the ever expanding population of rabbits and guinea pigs. If you visit the garden, you will see that many pets remain, even though the children left to go to university some years ago!

In 1992 the garden was extended on the south and westerly aspects. A pond was dug in the north-west corner to provide wildlife interest. A laurel hedge was planted on the south side and a large shrub border on the western boundary. A large area was put down to grass and provided many happy hours of soft tennis.

Early retirements in 1999 and 2001 transformed the situation. Decisions were taken to extend the garden to the south mainly to create a silver birch and hazel copse underplanted with daffodils, fritillary and bluebells. Judith and Stuart’s vision is to continue to plant and maintain the garden to a high standard ensuring that it is a delight for all visitors.

Enchantinggardens is about the Old Cottage garden but hopes to be much more than that. Fundamentally it is about the fantastic buzz and pleasure that gardening can give across all ages. Have you ever met anybody interested in gardening you didn’t like?

Enchantingplants sells plants that have been propagated and grown on site and can be seen growing in the garden.


Home The Garden Judith Clarke Visiting Garden Diary	The Old Cottage Garden, Colby Corner Take a tour of the garden by clicking on the numbers indicated on the plan. Development of the Garden Judith and Stuart Clarke purchased what was The Cottage in 1970. The property had originally been three separate cottages, and although the previous owner had started to convert it to one residence, only part of it was habitable. The garden, which contained the communal well, was in three parts divided by hawthorn hedges with damson and bulous trees. Years ago, refuse collection in the country did not exist and the garden was covered with pits containing bottles, cans and lots of animal bones - in fact any rubbish that could not be burned. At some point a car had been partially buried, probably as a house for the chickens. Fortunately, it was south facing and had been cultivated to produce a good loamy neutral soil. In 1971, a few trees were planted which are still a feature of the garden. Work and children meant that time for gardening was limited and any spare money was spent on other pastimes. Large areas of the garden were set aside for the children to play, or to house the ever expanding population of rabbits and guinea pigs. If you visit the garden, you will see that many pets remain, even though the children left to go to university some years ago! In 1992 the garden was extended on the south and westerly aspects. A pond was dug in the north-west corner to provide wildlife interest. A laurel hedge was planted on the south side and a large shrub border on the western boundary. A large area was put down to grass and provided many happy hours of soft tennis. Early retirements in 1999 and 2001 transformed the situation. Decisions were taken to extend the garden to the south mainly to create a silver birch and hazel copse underplanted with daffodils, fritillary and bluebells. Judith and Stuart’s vision is to continue to plant and maintain the garden to a high standard ensuring that it is a delight for all visitors. Enchantinggardens is about the Old Cottage garden but hopes to be much more than that. Fundamentally it is about the fantastic buzz and pleasure that gardening can give across all ages. Have you ever met anybody interested in gardening you didn’t like? Enchantingplants sells plants that have been propagated and grown on site and can be seen growing in the garden.
Home \| The Garden \| Judith Clarke \| Visiting \| Garden Diary ©2004-2005 Enchanting Gardens