A triumph over adversity
This ever-evolving Staffordshire garden has thrown up a few challenges for its owners, but they’ve conquered them all!
All gardeners go through a few challenges over the years – it’s all part and parcel of creating an outdoor haven to be proud of – but it seems Phil and Diana Berry have had it a bit trickier than many.
They initially chose their half acre, heavily-wooded site in Staffordshire because of the number of mature trees that graced it. “We loved it, but it was so overgrown! It took about a year to clear it fully and, needless to say, lots of skips and trips to the tip,” says Phil.
After this first challenge of many, they got some help with designing a series of garden rooms, though Phil and Diana knew just what elements to include. “I’ve always thought gardens should create a journey, include some focal points and have a handful of surprises, too.” What has emerged is a romantic woodland garden, full of nooks and crannies and beautiful bespoke sculpture, all knitted together with a winding path, wide enough for two to walk down together.
Of all the trees there were when they moved in, they took out only six – but they’ve replaced them with 40 more. “The acers are particularly stunning,” says Diana, “as well as the magnolias.” Recently they even brought a magnolia back from Caerhays in Cornwall. “There nearly wasn’t room for us in the car on the way home!”
As well as the garden’s north-facing aspect, the vast swathe of mature tree canopy has presented problems. Moderate to heavy shade is common, and they’ve learned
through experience what will survive and what won’t. There even seemed to be spots where nothing, not even notorious shade lovers Vinca minor, mahonia or hostas, would grow. Pulmonaria and brunnera have proved superb, but can’t tolerate too much darkness. “We worked out that hostas only like a certain amount of shade, but after that, forget it,” says Phil. “We use lots of wonderful ferns now.” Maidenhair, royal ferns and smaller aspleniums all get a look in, placed carefully as many need different moisture levels.
Where nothing at all will grow, sculpted wood or statues provide interest.
Phil and Diana always like to put a positive spin on things – if anything goes wrong in the garden, something else, be it
artwork or plant, will surely thrive there.
Once, one of their old oak trees had to be removed. “We decided to preserve it and put it to good use instead,” says Phil. The tree carcass was sculpted by renowned wood worker Allen Necchi into the Welsh goddess of spring, Blodeuwedd. “So the legend goes, she was created from flowers of oak, broom and meadowsweet and then turned into an owl because she was unfaithful – that’s why we have owls about, too.”
On another occasion, a Rhododendron ponticum
became leggy. They had to remove it, and a blank wall was revealed where they had a mural of their dogs made. “We made something out of an unexpected gap opening up,” says Phil. “The rhododendron has slowly re-emerged, too, so it’s the best of both worlds!”
In the past, their low hedges of box have succumbed to box blight, so they’ve had to rethink the planting. “We tried Ilex
crenata but it simply hasn’t worked, so next we’re trying privet to see if that gets on okay.”
Their soil is acidic, which they’re very happy with as it’s
perfect for a wide range of plants, many of which can be fully ericaceous. They’ve more than 70 rhododendrons and azaleas as well as a host of camellias.
However, their irrigation system has thrown up a little problem. “The system uses mains water on the garden,” says Phil. “It’s high in calcium, which throws off our naturally acidic pH, but we just amend this by using sulphur and ericaceous compost on the borders.”
They scratched their heads as to what to do with their greenhouse, too. It had enjoyed a fair bit of sun in the early days, and was home to an array of home-grown fruit and veg. The surrounding trees have grown taller, increasing the shade hanging over it. “We weren’t sure what to do at first,” says Phil, “but our frequent visits to Birmingham Botanical Gardens gave us an idea!” The alpine house there, situated out of full sun, was just the inspiration they needed. “Our greenhouse is now a little version of this, a nice surprise for visitors when they reach that corner,” he says.
It’s an ever-evolving garden, and one that will continue to challenge them, but their passion for gardening is clear in the exquisite planting and attention to detail they’ve taken. They particularly love opening for the NGS at this time of year – it really is a star-studded time for their plants, with lots of late spring beauties to admire.