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Visit 5

I spent a lovely morning at the Bride and Groomsport garden. Cherry and I paid a visit to see how Lee and Noel had finished the job.

It is fantastic. The completed garden has a dividing wall to provide shelter and screening. The soft honey-yellow patio tiles contrast with the natural blue shades of the dwarf retaining stone walls. More plants have been purchased which, together with a wedding present of a specimen Chusan palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), have filled the beds.

Lee is a big fan of planting in groups of three and even now the smaller edging plants such as dianthus, lithodora, sedums and saxafraga are forming clumps.

On the timber lattice fence behind the patio, two climbing Jasminum officinale with fragrant white flowers in summer, sandwich a Clematis ‘Lady Betty Balfour’ which flowers in late summer and early autumn. Its large purple flowers fade to dark blue showing off the golden anthers. This variety prefers
a sunny site and will catch the evening sun.

To make space for the palm, the Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’ had to be moved. It had been planted by Noel with loving care and received the same attention when it was transplanted. It is thriving.

The practice will prove useful when it comes to autumn. A few plants are too close together and two of the three Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var.repens will have to find another home. Each will grow to 3-4 ft high with a spread of 9-10 ft.

All that remains to do is apply a surface mulch of bark to help with weed control and dress the soil. It is a garden to be proud of and when the weather is kind will be in constant use for entertaining
and relaxation.

Congratulations on a job well done. Lee and Noel started out as complete amateurs with a plot of ground and in a short time have become experienced gardeners with a love of plants.