In the first part of this two-parter, I discussed the history of the park and its surrounds and, in particular, Dollis Hill House and the Post Office Research Station in Dollis Hill. In this part, I want to show you what the park looks like now (July 2020), with text and photos.
Many years ago, I used to look at large-flowering fuchsias and think that no way could such lovely, often delicate-looking plants survive a British winter or the shade in my garden. How wrong can you be?
Maybe too many writers have got overly excited about the ‘meaning’ of spring – that this season is fundamental to human spirituality and the hope of new life. However, there is no denying its metaphorical aptness, given the apparent reawakening of life, particularly if (like mine) your garden has looked almost lifeless for a couple of months.
Beth Chatto is one of my heroes. As one of the world’s foremost plantswomen, she popularised the idea of ‘right plant, right place’. And I am not sure who made the point, but if you don’t have any shade, you should make some.
The houses and grounds used to be owned by the Rothschild family, in particular, by Lionel de Rothschild during the nineteenth century when he was, by far, the richest man in the World. However, he used to joke that he was a gardener, first and foremost, and only then, a banker.
I was intending to get out and visit some of the marvellous British Gardens the public can visit this summer. However, with the Coronavirus and the resulting restrictions, this has obviously proved impossible. Therefore, I thought I would write about a garden my wife and I visited last Summer.
This is why I created the website …
I love chilli. For me, food without chilli is like fish and chips without vinegar, the FA Cup final without ‘Abide with Me’.
There is no doubt this guide is thorough. It covers all the essential techniques and also contains a plethora of examples of suitable perennials for your garden, with most (if not all) you need to know about using them in your borders.
I am ambivalent about winter – the cold, the wet, the London slush in the place of snow. My garden reflects all of this and more. The absence of colour, dead perennials rotting on the ground with the fallen leaves I am too lazy to collect from the garen, which now seems almost devoid of birds. With the promise of spring and summer just round the corner, isn’t it correct to hate winter?
I was delighted when I discovered that ants can spread seeds all over the garden, simply by carrying them about. For me, the idea of self-seeding plants – within limits – is great.
This may well be one of the most important books about gardening I ever review – and it isn’t even a gardening book. Having suffered from anxiety and depression all my life, the current and very welcome public enthusiasm to talk about the role of nature and how, by letting it into your life, it can help your mental health is very important to me.
Gladstone Park is my local. I’m afraid that I don’t go there as often as I should, but knowing it is there is an immense comfort and it undoubtedly serves as welcome urban lung for crowded Brent.
I have always had a hankering for some sort of wildflower meadow. OK, I live in NW10 and have a long, thin garden, but when I win the lottery, I will buy a field and turn it over to British native wildflowers.
