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National Trust reveals £3.5 million investment results at Hidcote Manor

The National Trust has announced that a restored semi-tropical plant house, a bathing pool and a summerhouse mural are just some of the results of 10 years of hard work and £3.5 million investment at Hidcote Manor garden in the Gloucestershire countryside.

The National Trust has now officially completed a major phase of reinstating many of the key historic structures in this world-famous garden due to the efforts and support of a very generous anonymous donor, who matched every pound raised by the Trust up to a wonderful £1.6 million.

Created by American-born horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston, Hidcote is reputedly one of the most inventive and influential gardens of the 20th Century.  His creation was built around outdoor 'rooms' linked by views and design features clearly influenced by the fashionable 'Arts and Crafts' style.

However, elements of the 10 acre garden fell into disrepair during the 1950s and as a result, 10 years ago, the National Trust set itself a target to recreate Hidcote as Johnston envisaged it and planned it.

National Trust gardeners and volunteers have spent an entire decade researching and piecing together Johnston's original plans for his Cotswolds garden, putting in many thousands of hours of work  into reinstating  former structures and garden rooms which formed part of Johnston's vision, with 'habitats' ranging from high alpine to the sub-tropical.

The Head gardener at Hidcote, Glyn Jones (EDITOR: What a fantastic gig for a dedicated gardener!) who led the team working on the project, said: "This has been a huge undertaking but one that we're very proud of.  We really feel we have managed to bring Johnston's vision back to life.  Visitors will be able to imagine Johnston and his guests enjoying the gardens, tennis courts and bathing pool back in the 1920s, '30s and '40s as they wander around."

In Hidcote's new incarnation, Johnston's unique plant house has been given a new lease of life. It is once again filled with semi tropical plants such as citruses - orange and lemon - Fuchsias, South African Plumbago, Begonias and Oleanders.  Fully glazed in the winter, in the summer the plant house was designed to have the panels along the front removed, turning it into a truly wonderful

floral arcade.

Mike Calnan, head of gardens and parks at the National Trust, said: "Hidcote is one of the most famous and important 20th Century gardens in Europe.  It is of particular importance to the Trust because it is the first property acquired purely on merit for its garden.

"The team has done a fantastic job in turning the garden around, reinstating many structures, lost features and installing behind-the-scenes services to make it easier to maintain.

"Painstaking research has also been put into tracking down the plants Johnston used and reinstating former beds and planted areas.  We may never know exactly how he arranged these to create the celebrated 'Johnston' style, but our challenge over the coming years is to move even closer towards that vision of perfection."

Mike Beeston, property manager at Hidcote, said: "With Hidcote already attracting 150,000 every year, we hope the completion of the restoration will inspire new visitors to take a look - and also to inspire past visitors to visit again." 

(EDITOR: This is part of the reason why my wife and I are National Trust members. To find out how to join visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk)

Transform your garden

Having enjoyed some early good weather, now is the time  to plan and prepare your garden so you can really take advantage of the lighter nights and warmer weather through July and August. 

Functionality has become increasingly important for the garden with more and more people making it a space that works for the family and lifestyle beyond just a lawn, flowers and plants. Viewing the garden as an extension to your home and creating outdoor living spaces can give you new ‘open air rooms’ in which to entertain, dine and  relax.  Adding extra dimensions to your garden can also add value to your home.

The range and choice of products and materials available to create your outdoor living spaces is vast,  ranging from natural wood decking, natural and manmade paving, fences and walling to gazebos, pergolas, water features and lighting.  

Michael Bandy, Product Manager from builder’s merchants, Travis Perkins, which has a branch locally, offers some top tips on creating your perfect landscape for the summer months and beyond.

First things first, decide how you want to use your outdoor space and best locations for activities.  For example, you may want to position your BBQ area close to the kitchen door, a children’s play area away from the sun or a tranquil retreat in the remotest part of the garden.  This will help you create your ‘outdoor’ rooms.    

Next, decide what type of garden do you want – formal, informal, high or low maintenance.  It’s worth considering this beforehand as it will impact on  the shapes of paving, paths, patios and walls you design and your choice of materials. Materials such as decking, paving and aggregates are low maintenance solutions and look great. 

Take into account your style of house.  A beautiful country cottage wouldn’t suit a contemporary Zen space!  Create balance and flow from your home through to your garden. 

Employ an expert tradesman to help with planning, design and build.  Getting it right first time can save you money in the long term and enhance as well as add value to your property.  

Remember, the majority of installation costs are usually in the ground preparation and labour. Opting for the best quality paving won’t significantly increase the overall cost of your project, so choose the best product you can afford as it will last longer.

For more information about garden landscaping, visit  your local Travis Perkins branch and take a look at their landscaping display, which offers you a preview of what is achievable using some of the most popular landscaping products.  Or you can visit their website to find out more about the range of products and materials available to support your landscaping project.

More information can be found by visiting the website www.travisperkins.co.uk

Have you seen this caterpillar?

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) are calling on gardeners to help the RHS map the whereabouts of box tree caterpillar (Cydalima perspectalis).

This native of East Asia eats the leaves of box plants (Buxus species) and has been reported for the first time in British private gardens. Adult moths have been recorded in Southern England since 2008, but its caterpillars had only been found at one commercial nursery in Surrey in 2009 and 2010. In May 2011 the RHS received the first specimens from private gardens in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.

Box tree caterpillars were first detected in Europe in 2007 and are now widespread on the European mainland. FERA concluded that, given the pest’s rapid spread and the possibility of adult moths reaching the UK naturally, no statutory action would be taken on further occurrences in the UK.

“Box plants can be totally defoliated by this moth’s caterpillars and there is also a threat to our uncommon native box plants such as those on Box Hill in Surrey. This is yet another problem for box in the UK which is already suffering from diseases such as box blight (Cylindrocladium buxicola),” says Dr Andrew Salisbury, RHS Senior Entomologist. “It is important for us to monitor this caterpillar’s movement. Knowing how quickly it is spreading and what plants it has been found on could help us develop ways of managing this pest.”

“There is little published information on the control of Box Tree Caterpillar,” says FERA Entomologist Anastasia Korysinska. “The silk webbing around the caterpillars can make control difficult. However, insecticides available to gardeners for controlling moth caterpillars, such as pyrethrum, deltamethrin or lambda-cyhalothrin, should be effective. Physical control by cutting off infested material or picking off caterpillars could also help.”

In Germany, complete defoliation of ornamental box plants have occurred but in the Netherlands the damage has been less severe. In Europe the caterpillar has only been found feeding on species of box. However, in Asia other host plants include llex purpurea (purple-leaved holly) and Euonymus alatus (winged spindle tree).

The RHS asks gardeners finding this pest in their garden to let it know by sending samples or photographs to Entomology, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB or sending images to Advisory_Entomology@rhs.org.uk.

Box is not usually damaged by other caterpillars, so extensive defoliation and webbing on this plant is likely to be due to box tree caterpillar.

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DIY Wooden bamboo windchimes to your garden

Add the music of nature to your garden with a gorgeous set of bamboo windchimes for a delightful sound effect... Bringing the sound of water and wind into your garden can enhance the hours of simple pleasure spent outside during the Summer months. A running water feature where a small fountain trickles over pebbles, or a set of bamboo windchimes gently clinking together in the breeze, adds a soft charm to any outside space. Bring some zen into your life. Just follow our easy step-by-step guide.

Step One

Mark out a circle on a piece of wood (12cms in diameter) and cut out using your Dremel 300 multi-tool, SpeedClic mandrel, spiral bit and line and circle cutter attachment. Then repeat to create a smaller wood circle (5cms in diameter). Then, cut seven lengths of bamboo (three x 30cms, three x 36cms, one x 10cms in length) using the multi-tool and wood cutting wheel.

Next, insert wood drill bit no: 4 into your Dremel 300 and drill six, equally spaced holes around the edge of the larger wood circle, two in the middle and another four holes set 2 cms in - for hanging the finished set of chimes.

Then, drill two holes through the middle of the smaller wood circle and two threading holes through each side at the top of the six lengths of bamboo and one through the top of the small bamboo piece.

Step Two

Cut away and shape the lower half of the bamboo pieces. Then, use a pen to draw your designs on each piece of bamboo and mark lines round the edges of the two wood circles.

Step Three

Insert the woodburning tip in the Dremel Versatip and burn your design onto the bamboo and the lines around the wood circles.

Step Four

Use cord to thread the small wood circle and small length of bamboo through the centre of the larger wood circle. Thread the longer bamboo lengths around the outside, then thread the four hanging holes and ensure the chimes hang evenly.

Difficulty rating :
*** 3 stars (moderate)

Materials required :

Dremel 300 Series multi-tool
SpeedClic mandrel SC402
SpeedClic wood cutting wheel SC544
Line and Circle Cutter Attachment 678
Spiral bit 561
Wood drill bits 636
Dremel Versatip with woodburning tip
Wood
Lengths of bamboo
Marker pen
Threading cord

For more information visit the Dremel website:  www.dremel.co.uk

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Hot Summer Savings at Cannock Gates

No matter what the weather at the moment (fairly good at the moment as I look out on to the That's Gardening garden, as it happens!) June is the perfect month to give your garden some TLC, ready to provide you with not only satisfaction and enjoyment over the summer, but in the long run it will make economic sense, as it adds value to your property.

Cannock Gates prides itself on offering the UK’s largest range of wooden gates and wrought iron style gates and railings. The extensive range includes garden gates, side gates, drive gates, estate gates and field gates in over 750 standard size and style combinations. A bespoke service is also available, so you can choose a style and size of gate to perfectly suit your home. In consultation with knowledgeable and sympathetic experts at Cannock Gates.

With great weather, barbecues and school holidays just around the corner why not take advantage of one of Cannock Gates 10 Scorching Summer Savers and get ready to enjoy the Sun? (Don't forget the suncream!)

The offers are available until the end of July and they include 10% off ALL Wooden Gates, 10% off ALL Wrought Iron Style Gates and 10% off ALL railings! Other offers available are free painting, free delivery, 20% off steel or timber posts, and an introductory offer of 30% off the new ‘Hampshire’ gate design. To view all of the offers and to order, visit www.cannockgates.co.uk and quote SUM2011 to receive the offer most beneficial for you.

Some fantastic deals are also available at sister company Cannock Gardens website, such as a whopping 33% off the Gardeners Tool Shed, the perfect gift for Father’s day! To see all the offers available please visit www.cannockgardens.com The same voucher code applies to receive the offer.

(EDITOR: Please mention That's Gardening)

CATS get the cream, thanks to artist and RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Bluebell Woodland a photograph displayed as part of an urban garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, by contemporary landscape artist David Anthony Hall, has raised over £12,820 for the London charity, Children’s Acute Transport Service (CATS).

The landscape artist David Anthony Hall’s donation of his photograph 'Bluebell Woodland' has raised £12,820 for the Children’s Acute Transport Service, CATS.

Andy Petros, director of CATS said, ‘We are enormously grateful to David for this extremely generous donation.

“It is humbling to realise other people value us enough to support us to this extent. With this donation we will buy more equipment and run educational courses to further improve the care of critically ill children.”

What does CATS do?

CATS provides emergency transport for critically ill children and it covers over 50 hospitals in the North Thames and East Anglia regions. It is one of the few international services accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) and is also one of the largest specialist services of its type in Europe.

Hall, who each year offers at least one of his images as a donation to a charity close to his heart, was especially touched by CATs after he and his wife watched a BBC programme about the service.

“With two small children of our own we were so taken with the passion and dedication of the CATS team.” said David.

“As parents it is something we could relate to despite, thankfully, never having had any direct need of their assistance. There is nothing greater than the gift of life passed to us by our parents and yet as parents ourselves, what could be more overwhelming than the fear and helplessness felt when dealing with a sick child.

“It’s impossible to comprehend the pain a mother must feel at the loss of a child. CATs can make that lifesaving difference and we wanted to support it.”

The image ‘Bluebell Woodland’ was part of a body of work that formed the inspiration behind a concept garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Thompson’s Gallery, who devised the garden at RHS Chelsea and are currently displaying Hall’s solo show at their New Cavendish Street Gallery in London, generously waived their usual fee as their way ofhelping the charity erven further.

Other suppliers were keen to help, so they waived their fees, too! These include Genesis and Canon large format printer distributors Velmex, who printed the image. The new owner has also agreed to gift aid her donation enabling the charity to benefit from the extra Gift Aid, too!

David's solo show runs for the next month at Thompson’s New Cavendish Street Gallery in London and is showcasing 20 images from his latest works. David's work is always of nature and represents the strong emotional connection he feels to a place.

He added: “In a society battling with over civilisation, it is easy to lose touch with nature and each other in its simplest sense. My work constantly reminds me of how fleeting our presence actually is on the planet and how precious our relationships with loved ones are in this context.’”

Hall dedicates this donation in memory of his natural mother Maura O’Connor, who lost her battle with cancer on 18th May 2011.

FACTFILE:

David Anthony Hall was born in Dublin in 1969. Hall has been exhibited at top art fairs including; London Art, Art London, 20/21 International Art Fair and The Affordable Art Fairs, London, New York, Paris, Singapore & Amsterdam. His landscape photography was first published in 1989. Over the past five years his work has been exhibited in eight countries, with over twenty group shows and two solo shows. David’s work has raised over £25,000 for charities, he is also supporting Marie Curie Cancer Care with an auction to be held at The Royal Academy of Arts in July 2011.

For David his art is about more than just a beautiful image, his interest lies in capturing the natural environment that exudes a presence of a powerful past. Intent on connecting an anthropological and geographical history to expose a sense of mystery and wonder, his work envelops and compels.

To find out more about CATS visit http://portal.cats.nhs.uk

To find out more about the gallery and the show visit www.thompsonsgallery.co.uk