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Permalink Reply by Tanya Batkin on August 19, 2011 at 19:49

I have to say I would be interested in the woodland area, and how its looking at this time of year. Hope you have a lovely time.

 

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Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Kerrie John-The garden design Co on August 19, 2011 at 20:19

One of my gardening heros!  We studied her gardens when I was at college and luckily we aren't far away so visited often.  Beth has a total gift weaving a tapestry of plants with a vision for the long term.  She is well know for her quote which was something like - 'Grown contented plants and you will find peace among them".  Just about sums it up!

Chris Auld said:

I have one, who is Beth Chatto?

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Permalink Reply by carol miers on August 22, 2011 at 10:26

Ok thank you, what is your favourite part of the gardens Kerrie?

By the way I may only be in the woodland area, Tanya, as the rain forecast is quite impressive, lots and lots of rain I think. So much for the Dry Garden. 

Now please be patient with me, you excellent gardeners and tell me what you remember about Beth Chatto, what if anything has she done that has had an impact or effect on your gardening, is she someone who has always been around so is not given so much attention now?

This is a piece in the Spectator in 2000 about her gravel gardens http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3724/is_200011/ai_n8923276/- Gravel allure

It must be easier than permeable paving to use - possibly?

I think 2000 was the year she was awarded an OBE as well, which makes her very impressive .  I don't know if gardeners are often on the OBE and honours lists?

I know I will have a lovely time and thanks for your wishes

Carol  

 

 

 

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Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Kerrie John-The garden design Co on August 22, 2011 at 18:16

Hi Carol

I personally love the gravel garden which was created on an old car park and never watered! But to be honest, all the different garden styles Beth Chatto has created are lovely to my eye. As ever, it's working with the conditions you have and not trying to change them because nature knows best and will always get the upper hand in the end!

In answer to your question of who has an impact or effect on what I do, she has been a major player. Beth published a book of letters to and from Christopher Lloyd who lived at Great Dixter in East Sussex. It is a wonderful insight into a Horicultural friendship and sharing of interesting information.

Take much money because the nursery is expensive! There are plants to buy that you won't find at the wholesaler or garden centre! Don't worry about the rain, she has one of the driest gardens in East Anglia, it may miss you altogether!

:)

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Permalink Reply by carol miers on August 22, 2011 at 18:45

Thank you, that will be amazing if the rain goes everywhere else but there.  I read that Christopher Lloyd who was Daisy Lloyd's son (supposedly she was the inspiration behind Dixter) was cruel but nothing more about it which is mysterious.  It must be nice to be near by.  I think there must be a lot of layers to see many times and of course at different times of year. Carol

 

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Craig McGinty on August 23, 2011 at 14:16

Just a quick note to say that Carol has been able to upload some images of Beth Chatto's garden taken this morning:

Carol Miers's Photos

 

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Permalink Reply by carol miers on August 24, 2011 at 13:33

Here is a clip from the Beth Chatto gardens where David Ward the Plant Propagation manager explains one of Beth Chatto's  design influences, the Japanese triangle

 

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Permalink Reply by carol miers on September 2, 2011 at 12:36

Hello

I did ask Dave Ward the plant propagation manager to show me around the woodland garden and I saw the gravel garden too.  I like the river bed path in the gravel gardens - the idea came to her on a trip with her friend Christopher Lloyd of designing a path like a dried up river bed. Perhaps this is in the book of correspondence between them, I am looking forward to reading that.

The woodland garden was very tranquil, damp, soft. There were lovely pink and white Japanese Anemones and Blue Hydrangeas, there were also gentians and cyclamen. The cyclamen maybe will spread to cover the ground.  I would like to go back in the Autumn or the Spring for the colours and the snowdrops.

There were many different shrubs and plants so varying heights of these and of trees. The Chattos and their team  began it I think after the 1987 storms took down many of the oak trees.  There is one remaining oak tree from an ancient band, it could be about 400 years old, Dave Ward, the plant and propagation manager said.  

I have put up some photos and a little more about it on the blog http://www.landscapejuice.com/2011/09/the-beth-chatto-gardens-timel...

I would love to hear from anyone else who has been.

Carol

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