South Lodge opens for the National Garden Scheme this week. I went to have a look around ahead of its open day.
Experienced gardeners know there’s little point in trying to fight Nature. Growing plants that either don’t like your soil or climate just ends in frustration and tears.
At South Lodge, Andrew and Jane MacBean have learnt to work with what they’ve got – soil that’s in places heavy clay, a sloping plot and a rural country setting.
The lower end of the garden has the worst slope and that, coupled with the heavy soil, meant a traditional perennial border was impossible.
“You either slip on it when it’s wet all the time, or it’s rock solid. Although we tried there was just nothing you could really do with it,” explains Jane.
So, they’ve filled the space with a mix of trees and shrubs, including lilac, weigela, amelanchier, birch trees, and magnolia underplanted with spring bulbs, and grass that’s left long to provide a wildlife habitat.
The acidic nature of the ground in this Forest of Dean garden means they can grow plants not often seen in Gloucestershire, such as this magnificent rhododendron.
When they took on the overgrown two-acre plot nearly 23 years ago, there was little beyond a couple of cherry trees, and lots of apple trees. The latter, formerly all in straight lines, have been repositioned and now form a ‘mini orchard’ with spring bulbs, cowslips and beehives.
The garden sits alongside Clearwell Castle and the castle’s boundary walls form a backdrop – the perfect spot for masses of climbing roses and honeysuckle.
The border at its foot has been extended since my last visit and is now divided into two sections: one full of pastel shades, the other a mix of hot red, orange and yellow.
Jane helps Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants with their stand at many shows and so it was no surprise to see some of the nursery’s favourites in her garden, such as Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’.
Two more from Hardy’s that caught my eye were the unusual Viola ‘Avril Lawson’, which has much bigger flowers than the average viola. They stand quite tall above the foliage and have a wonderful scent. Jane says it flowers reliably over the summer.
Also scented was Maianthemum racemosum – it’s related to Solomon’s Seal and I could see the similarity.
The main flower borders are at the top of the garden and speak of Jane’s love of plants: “If I see a plant at a show that says it’s new, or it’s unusual, I have to have it.”
The garden is also full of ‘refugees’, plants that have been given by friends or family because they’ve outgrown a pot or garden space.
As well as fitting the garden to the soil, they’ve also worked with the site – a peaceful spot where the loudest noise was birdsong. There are plenty of places to sit and the style is relaxed with areas deliberately left for wildlife, including a native hedge alongside the vegetable garden.
There’s sculpture – much of it humorous – throughout the space. Brian is a snail that’s tolerated and given the pristine state of the hostas, he’s obviously well behaved!
I was too early for the roses – there are around 100. A return trip may be needed.
South Lodge, Clearwell, is open for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday May 14, 2022 and Saturday June 25, 2022. For more details, see the website.
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