The Garden Architect

I have always wanted a lovely old stone or brick wall against which to grow my climbing plants, but have to make do with rather old wooden fences which are slowly disintegrating.

On these fences I grow a variety of ivies, honeysuckles, Virginia creepers and clematis which turn an otherwise harsh surface into a delightful screen of foliage and flowers.

Dominating the front garden is a twenty-year old alder tree (Alder glutinosa), which acts as a focal point and supports with ease the weight of a large rambling 'Kiftsgate' rose (Rosa filipes).

Passers-by in July can't help but gasp at the towering veil of white, which meets their eyes. Even in winter this combination is a winner. The tree's branches take on a beautiful tracery effect, particularly when touched by frost and especially against a clear blue, cold winter sky.

The rose, too, has a trick or two up her sleeve, for in the autumn she turns the most perfect golden yellow and in winter many tiny red hips bring down the final curtain on another year. These closest of pals are indeed a happy pair. This friendship is repeated throughout the garden with plants that choose their associates with care.

Back in January a waterfall was in full flow. A plant that often divides gardeners into two camps is Garrya elliptica. More often seen growing against a wall, my specimen is a free-standing monster of some distinction.

An evergreen from California, it enjoys sun and a dryish, well-drained soil. Reputed to be tender in some parts, here in Cheshire it has withstood ice and frosts which would have felled allegedly more hardy companions, yet it never fails to come up smiling. It is without doubt one of the showier players in the winter garden. Its very long silver catkins start to form back in October and by the middle of winter it takes centre stage proving its exhibitionist streak by looking like a falling sheet of water.

Right now the buds of my Daphne mezereum are fattening by the day. These daphnes are now quite old and look down on a company of Helleborus orientalis.

These younger companions enjoy the shelter their woodier stalwarts provide during winter. Both plants flower at the same time and, being right by the front

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