Way back in 2015 – yes that really is ten years ago – I decided to post photos of the numerous benches sitting in my folders. It seemed that I was not alone and suddenly it turned into the Bench Challenge where I set a particular criterion each month and people joined in posting their bench photos. It was a lot of fun and I met a lot of wonderful bloggers through it.
One of many benches in Beth Chatto’s Reservoir Garden, Essex
This year I am returning to mark the occasion by posting a bench photo every Sunday. There will not be any particular theme set this year so it’s not really much of a challenge, but if there is anyone out there who still has a bucketful of bench photos and would like to join me, then please do so by adding a link in the comments or a link to my post in yours (a pingback) and I will happily pop along to admire.
A short walk onto the cool, emerald-green grass of the Water Garden feels like stepping into another climate. In stark contrast to the hot, arid Gravel Garden, this area features lush, moisture-loving plants.
Ominous clouds as I stepped into the water garden.Still lots of colour.
It’s a calming space full of large, dramatic foliage and deserving of a visit on a hot day as the temperature by the water is several degrees cooler than the rest of the Gardens.
Although my garden is on the wet side these plants would be far too large.One of the pondsPickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata), also known as Giant Pickerel Weed
They use the boat to clear the pondsThalia dealbata – the architectural leaves remain but the flower stems are removed as the flowers trap pollinators.Goldenrods (Solidago) are herbaceous perennials known for their bright yellow flower plumes that typically bloom in late summer through early autumn.
Ornamental grasses are used throughout this garden area too.Several types of asters, such as Aster tataricus, Eurybia radula, Aster pyrenaeus ‘Lutetia’, and Symphyotrichum ‘Prairie Purple’ and ‘Primrose Path’, are specifically mentioned as being grown or sold at Beth Chatto’s Gardens.More ornamental grasses and the purple heads of Eutrochium purpureum, also known as Sweet-Scented Joe-Pye Weed, features large, flat-domed heads of pink-purple flowers on sturdy stems, and is attractive to butterflies.
My visit to this area of the gardens was cut short due to a very heavy rainburst, but fortunately the sun did reappear and I was able to continue my ramble. I have only ever seen these gardens in September. I wonder what they are like at other times of the year. The Woodland for instance is probably best in spring with the bulbs, at this time of year I only saw colchiums (Also call ‘Naked ladies’ as they appear in autumn without leaves) and some patches of cyclamen. Sadly flattened by the rain so no photos.
Sadly this is the end of my series on Beth Chatto’s Gardens, I hope you have enjoyed the visit and I recommend it if you are ever in the Colchester area.
The Scree Garden showcases a large collection of alpines typically found growing naturally on stony, mountainous slopes. The free draining, nutrient poor soil in this area of the garden provides the perfect conditions for alpine plants to thrive.
The Scree GardenI’m glad I’m not the one who has to move these into the glasshouse in October!Exotic looking Eucomis / Pineapple LilyVerbena rigida – a low growing varietyUrn
I didn’t take many photos in this area, it’s probably at its best during spring and early summer.
Beth Chatto transformed an overgrown wasteland deemed unfit for fruit farming, into a series of informal gardens. As the conditions within the garden vary widely, five distinct areas have been created providing useful examples of working with nature to find the right plant for the right place.
Grasses add height
The world-famous drought-resistant Gravel Garden, created in 1992, began as an experiment to replace sun-scorched grass with a living garden of drought-tolerant plants.
Dark clouds on the horizon
The Gravel Garden, once a car park, was originally planted by Beth and her team as an experiment to test a range of drought-tolerant plants. The garden is famous for the fact that it is never watered, despite being situated in one of the driest parts of the country and having naturally occurring, free-draining soil.
Sedums add contrast – this is Hylotelephium Red CauliThe seed heads of Phlomis russeliana have an impact here too.Eryngium ebracteatum; Hylotelephium Red Cauli; Verbena Bampton; Gaura / Oenothera lindheimeri; Pennisetum villosum
I want to know how they keep the gravel weed free.A lot of the plants in this garden are quite low growing
It serves as an inspiration for gardeners looking to create beautiful and resilient landscapes with minimal water use.
The heavy clay soil of the Reservoir Garden was improved by Beth’s team and replanted in 2017. The garden showcases a variety of ornamental grasses and prairie-style plants offering late season interest with an exciting new display of perennials, accessible via winding pathways.
There are plenty of benches on which to sit and contemplate the garden.
Lots of purpleAsters were a feature of this September gardenAnd seed heads. Phlomis russeliana are particularly effectiveWild seed heads of the VeronicastrumBeautiful flowering grasses soften the bordersPurple and Yellow contrasting coloursLovely prairie style planting
When I visited Beth Chatto’s Gardens in 2016 this area was a complete blank canvas. My favourite zone then was the gravel garden, but this year the Reservoir Garden with its naturalistic prairie planting, grasses wafting in the wind and the pops of colour from the asters, heleniums and rudbeckias intertwined with dramatic seed heads was by far my favourite area. In fact I sat here for a good half hour simply enjoying the peace.
TRAVEL WORDS 