History
I am most fortunate to have a garden surrounded by open countryside and as our property is a bungalow the added bonus of a very open feel to the whole plot.  Some would probably prefer more height and shelter from more trees but I love the open aspect.  Where there are hedgerows and larger trees, glimpses of the fields beyond are framed simply and naturally.  The property is a fairly modern bungalow (1961) built on the vegetable patch of the Farmhouse next door.  Although the soil condition in the area is predominantly heavy clay and certainly parts of my garden follow this trend, much of the garden is made up of well worked, fertile, slightly acid soil.

As can be seen from the photographs I have kept the garden with a spacious feel and have not been frightened of leaving plenty of lawn to merge with the adjoining landscape.  I am a slow, patient gardener and have many more projects in mind and will slowly allow the garden to evolve with time. 

Click on pictures for larger image.

Lazy Lavender
This area is just outside my kitchen window.  The scent of the lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’) drifts into the kitchen especially when someone is swinging in the hammock brushing over the flowers to stimulate the scent.  My inspiration for this hammock feature came from a Hampton Court Show garden by the Norfolk Lavender Company.  I visited my local agricultural supplies yard and found two very rustic cattle bracing posts to use as the uprights.

Patio Border
This border has yet to complete a seasonal cycle but already I am pleased with the structural effect it creates in mid winter.

 This photo was taken on a damp December day just one week before Christmas.

The same border in mid May.  Colour is starting to feature and the border is filling out and becoming more established.

Herbaceous Border
This border is in my front garden and is almost without exception inherited.  I added the supports for the roses but otherwise all is left to its own devices.  With mainly self seeding and freely multiplying perennials this border decides for itself it’s colour scheme each year.

Mid May and the border is showing great promise.  The roses (near: R. Dapple Dawn, centre: R. Alba Semi-plena, far: R.Tour de Malakoff)  are in full bud and the poppies (Papaver orientale) are ready to burst.

One month later and the border is showing off its poppies to great effect.  The roses are desperately trying to escape their supports as the other perennials are vying for position.

This year the border produced this spectacular Paeonia officinalis ‘Rubra Plena’.

Meandering Pathway
I added this pathway both for practical and aesthetic reasons.  The alternative route from the patio to the stables at the end of the garden is through two gates and the field which at the crack of dawn it is too tempting to nip across the lawn.  

I therefore decided to form a pathway that appeared to lead you to the orchard behind the stables and the fields beyond, but in-fact takes you to a side gate into the stable yard thus creating a path that inspires you to walk down it.