Landscaping in the Town Garden

It is a difficult garden, approximately half an acre but very long and not very wide, length 180ft and width 70ft. Over the years we have managed to create special corners, secret paths and sudden surprises. We have widened the total appearance by including the next door large garden, even though there is a long high fence, separating the two properties. There are large trees in the garden next door and by covering the fence with climbers, creepers and ivy, we have made the paling fence nonexistent to give the illusion that it is all one garden!

Luckily, our neighbours do not demur, their garden is old and rambling too and they also dislike the appearance of paling fences. Only the ivy is invasive and cutting it back every few years will keep it in its place - hiding the ugly wooden palings

A central path divides the second half of the garden into two until it reaches the swimming pool area, near the bottom of the garden. On one side there is a garden with ornamental Acers weeping over the small pond that our daughter Fransesca dug. Small sandstone steps lead up to the water from the barbecue that our son Matthew built from left over 'convict bricks'. Species Helleborus and Hostas help keep the sticky weed at bay. On the other side of the path a large garden contains many "Iceberg" rose bushes, all grown from cuttings taken from a hedge in front of my mother's garden. It was here that I learnt I had created a 'long border' when, early in our reconstruction of the garden, a famous gardener remarked "What a lovely idea for your long border". I was so excited I rang Kees at work and asked him "Did you know we had a 'Long Border'? The swimming pool is half hidden by glass and iron walls and a half roof, the surrounds are sandstone pavers I wished it to give the appearance of a conservatory. Kees and our sons erected the large edifice. The glass protection has created a mini warm climate and we grow semi-tropical plants in pots including the beautiful Vireya Rhododendron. The roof, in Summer is covered by the cherry red flowers of the rose "Bloomfield Courage"

Let us now go back to the beginning of the garden. From the driveway, at the side of the house, you walk along a narrow brick

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