From 1996 to 2005, I gardened a half-acre site on a north-east facing hillside near Ross on Wye in Herefordshire. I put together a rich plant selection which was clearly developing into a relatively stable plant community – self-seeding of certain species played a major part. From the beginning my intention was to combine having a plant collection with the strong sense of rhythm and visual unity typical of the German parks planting style; certain key species were repeated (or encouraged to self-sow) so that at any one time they made an impact over the whole garden: key ones being aquilegias, geraniums, Iris sibirica forms, Solidago rugosa, Aster puniceus.
We’re repeating a similar process in a new garden near Hay on Wye, but, needless to say, on a much bigger scale. Keep an eye on the blog to see progress.