The garden is full of a network of frames and twiggy structures
1 TWIGGY SUPPORTS
Norway spruce is plentiful in the woods on the Lovetts’ farmland, so lower branches are cut and stacked to drop their needles over winter, ready for use as plant supports in the borders. Jane cuts them into shorter lengths, each with a pointed end to push into the earth. The twiggy growth can be interlinked to make a cage-like structure that will soon be hidden by the rampant growth of perennials. There is a slight stickiness to the main stems of spruce and some needles are retained, making an ideal surface for plants to cling to.
2 MADE TO MEASURE
For shrub roses and clematis, Jane uses rusted steel frames that stay in place all year. These are made to order by a local farmer, using steel reinforcing rods bought by the metre (from builders’ merchants). “You do need someone who can weld but, that aside, it is ideal as you can design each structure to fit the bill. Big shrub roses need a lot of support and you can make obelisks and wigwams as tall as you want them to be.” The rusty surface is good for plants to hold onto and also looks discreet in the border.
3 THE SPRING GARDEN
In April, plants are just coming to life in this new area, created by designer Natasha Mcewen. Her plant choices are inspired, including Muscari armeniacum ‘Valerie Finnis’ (above) growing up through strappy, black-leaved Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ in the gravel, starry-flowered Gillenia trifoliata (supported with spruce) and a mauveblue Clematis ‘Emilia Plater’. There are endless erythroniums, fritillaries and alliums here and a stunning camellia – ‘Cornish Snow’ – with miniature flowers.