My garden - a guidebook & infinite inspiration. By Hannah Corps

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We were buying a house, but it was the garden that lured us in. I imagine that might sound familiar? From the cotoneaster that resisted the back gate as we pushed it open, to the rich long deep-green grass on the lawn and the stillness of the orchard with its apple trees and magnificent oak, which lay beyond a small dilapidated summer house, we knew we’d found our forever home/garden!

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The property had stood empty for over a year, which added charm and wildness, in equal measure. The architectural structures of last year's sedum, siberian iris, evening primrose, tutsan, carex, phlox, avens and many rose bushes to name a few, were a stark contrast to the sandy brick of the curved garden wall and signs of the colours to come.

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We discovered small trees and shrubs such as azaleas, star magnolia, bird cherry, viburnum, red dog wood, camelia, smoke tree and sweet mock orange all patiently waiting in the wings to delight throughout the year.

We moved in at the beginning of February to no hot water, reliable heating system or oven, yet we were kept sustained if not beguiled by an ever changing landscape outdoors. First to be installed were our bird feeders, which were immediately swamped with the local inhabitants. In the orchard, the potting shed enjoyed a sand and re-cuprinol in seagrass green, whilst the modestly sized allotment plot was cleared of brambles, old pots and sycamore saplings ready to be filled with year old compost, carefully crafted by the previous owner. 

It wasn’t long before the crocus, daffodils and tulips were gracing the orchard and the sun's warmth became stronger, gently urging us to prune the apple trees before the bluebells and primrose arrived underfoot. 

That seems a long time ago now! Since then, we have marvelled at the multitude of colourful growth week by week, the gentle scents wafting from the many roses, flowers and shrubs. We have harvested our own carrots, potatoes and rhubarb, steamed crop after crop of apples to produce juice with a flavour of years gone by, and marvelled at the bug and small mammal life occasionally allowing us a glimpse into ‘their’ garden living room.

As I write, we plan to create a small pond in the orchard for our resident dragonfly and other friends to thrive. What greater privilege to be the custodians of such a beautiful, generous garden - a living patch of wonder that asks only our care in return.