WELCOME TO MY SEASIDE GARDEN
33 Peerley road is a coastal garden in sleepy sussex . Nestling between the Isle of Wight and the south downs . It is 7 miles outside chichester in the heart of sea side suburbia . The local towns of the Witterings have been so named by the romans wittering meaning windy . It is no word of a lie, Wittering is very windy ! constantly battered by salty gales, the Downs and the Isle of Wight acting as the perfect wind tunnel . Because it lies below sea level the salt in the air is very prominent and Gardening here is to say the least very difficult .
I moved here some 16 years ago and always having had a garden soon set about trying to create my own utopia , I failed miserably, any literature written on coastal garden had no relevance to my situation . Instead of the sunny sandy places most garden writers hail as the classical coastal garden ,I found my self on heavy clay on a north facing plot . I despaired and almost gave up it was proving far too expensive watching the salt chew up my plants or the heavy retentive clay drown the supposedly saline resistant plants drown in my north facing quagmire .
However I am a stubborn creature and when faced with an illness that left me bed ridden for some time, I set about exploring the problems of coastal gardening . From seed and cuttings I experimented on the resistance of plants to my conditions I observed how other plants in different coastal sites adapted ,after all ,not only are there sandy soils but chalk , clay ,greensand , and granite to contend with on our coastline . I will always find it strange that with some 3 million of us gardening by the sea so little is written .! I aim to change all that ,I tire of the cliched grasses and Derek Jarman style of garden ,when so much more can be achieved ,explored and celebrated . After all the frost free climate of coastal gardening gives us licence to explore uncharted territory
I write a regular column for the CHICHESTER OBSERVER , and sometimes get articles published in the DAILY EXPRESS , I have appeared on several television programmes and Have been given the honour of having a chapter on coastal gardening coming out Autumn 2001 in the BIG YELLOW BOOK .( a compilation of subjects on gardening written by some of Britains finest gardeners .To commemorate the National Gardens Scheme`s 75 the anniversary .)
I now design, teach and do regular talks on gardening . With more and more exciting projects appearing on the horizon everyday !
Come with me as we visit my small ( 60 ft x 30ft ) loved garden . Open under the National Gardens Scheme in July and August , and also for private viewing by arrangement
E-mail : stixandme@aol.com
Photo Open day causes quite a stir as folk queue to see a garden with a twist
Photo An exposed corner explores a planting theme of silver blue and white where even stalwarts like ivy fail to thrive
Photo Colour and texture spill from the borders using planting techniques I have adopted to allow me to grow less salt tolerant plants in full exposure
Photo Homemade willow structures adorn the garden and object trouve act as winter interest and plant supports
Photo The more sheltered back gardens offer visual interest as well as a wealth of unusual plants
Photo Architectural shapes and textures welcome the visitor
Photo Even working water butts are planted up and painted to enhance the garden
Photo Leafy tunnels await adventures for my children
Photo Giant Melianthus Major and verdant Fatsia relish the coastal garden climate
Photo A coccophany of colour in my tropical border
Photo Pinks and reds soften the sunken garden
Photo Bright oranges light a shady corner from top to toe
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Links
rhs.org.uk : Royal horticultural society website
ngs.org.uk : National garden scheme website
witteringsnet.co.uk : Local area website
