Gardening expert, Barbara Segall was at Harts Books in Saffron Walden on Wednesday, December 6, talking about her new book, Secret Gardens of East Anglia.
The book, subtitled, A Private Tour of 22 Gardens, has a foreword by East Anglian plantswoman, Beth Chatto and photographs by Marcus Harpur.
Among the gardens in North Essex are three in Uttlesford.
Parsonage House in Helions Bumpstead, near Haverhill.
The 15th century house was once owned by St Paul’s Catherdral and later leased to Hatfield Priory. The current owners, Annie and Nigel Turner have lived there since 1990. Segall says: “Annie has gardened all her life. She finds it fascinating, especially the way it combines art and science.”
She adds: “Around their Grade II listed home, they have created a quintessentially English garden with mixed borders that hold low-growing, sparkling jewels in spring and tall, thrusting perennials that rise like an ever-flowing floral tide in high summer.”
New extensions added to the house including a pool house and potting shed were designed by their friend, architect Charles Morris who designed the Orchard Room at Highgrove House, home of Prince Charles.
Tinkers Green Farm in Cornish Hall End is owned by Denny and Peter Swete. For their ruby wedding he gave her a garden shed. Seaall says 12 years ago, all Tinkers Green Farm had was some dead lavender and roses in one round flower bed at the centre of the drive. Now Denny has created sweeps of colour, including orange, yellow and hot red, usually planted in groups of five, seven or nine.
Wickham Place Farm in Wickham Bishops, near Witham has glorious wisteria. The main garden is enclosed by walls dating from 1706. The owners are Judith and Terry Wilson. Judith says reclaiming an overgrown garden is like learning a new language. All her stock for sale is grown outdoors. Judith says this makes plants stronger. “I know if they survive here and we do have severe frosts, they will survive in other gardens.”
Ulting Wick in Ulting near Maldon is the home of Philippa and Bryan Burrough. Philippa has a continual quest for new and unusual plants. In spring, there is a dazzling array of tulips, she has them of every colour.
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