Green-f ingered Shaun nurtures a suburban wonder
THE HANGING (BASKET) GARDENS OF... BRISTOL!
IT’S not quite the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, but a suburban Bristol garden has become its own smallscale natural wonder.
Shaun Schroeder has transformed the modest garden of his semidetached home with more than 100 elegant hanging baskets and pots.
And it’s become something of an all-consuming hobby for the 57year-old grandfather.
Shaun starts his endeavours in February every year, growing 1,000 plants from seed before potting them outdoors in late May.
The demolition worker spends up to three hours a day carefully tending, dead-heading and watering the petunias, fuchsias, geraniums, dahlias and verbenas in both his front and back gardens.
‘I started doing this in earnest about four years ago,’ he said. ‘The more I did it, the more people would comment that it brightens up the street. Everyone said how much they liked it so it gave me the incentive to do more. People have knocked on the door to say how nice it is. It makes it worthwhile to know it is appreciated.’
The display reaches full bloom in July before dying off in a matter of days at the first sign of frost in November.
‘It started off with a few baskets and pots but I added more and came up with the vertical garden and flower walls you see today,’ added Shaun, who is married to Jan, a catering assistant. ‘My garden provides me with exercise, satisfaction and a place to de-stress after work.
‘It does take a lot of time and effort but I feel so satisfied with all the flowers in bloom. I love how much pleasure the garden has brought me and other people.’