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With a mild south-westerly climate and warmed by the tidal waters of the Tamar and Tavy estuaries, the Bere Peninsula has a rich horticultural heritage of fruit and flower growing. Strawberries, cherries, daffodils and many other crops were once produced in abundance and though only a few flower fields and orchards remain, in spring the woods and hedgerows still produce magnificent displays of daffodils from when fields were cleared for food production in the Second World War.
Plants thrive in the sheltered microclimates of the Peninsula and many lovely private gardens can be glimpsed whilst exploring the quiet lanes and villages. Occasionally gardens open to the public: down at Weir Quay, on the banks of the Tamar, the enchanting garden at Weir Cottage is open in aid of St Lukes Hospice on Sunday 16 October, 11-3. Once owned by Lady Harriet, wife of the third curator of Kew Gardens, the unusual trees she planted back between the Wars create a breath-taking display of autumn colour. In summer, nearby Lower Birch Farmhouse also opens for St Lukes. Peter Harpers’ colourful garden at Cotts is a hidden gem that won the Western Morning News ‘Best Garden in the South West’ competition in 2015: groups are welcome to visit by appointment, tel 01822 840435.
The Bere Alston Gardening Club caters for gardeners of all levels of interest with a thriving programme of shows, garden visits, plant sales and winter talks. The spring show is renowned for a spectacular display of daffodils, and the summer event held in late July is a wonderful traditional show of flowers, plants and produce with a wealth of exhibits to a very high standard.
From hills to valleys, sun to shade, dry to moist soil, wind or shelter, successful gardening is all about making the most of microclimates and ‘match-making’ the right plants to each site, wherever you live. Grouping plants that like the same conditions not only means they’ll thrive rather than struggle, but you’ll also be well on the way to creating an attractive planting style overall. For example, sunny and sheltered sites are perfect for exotic looking ‘Mediterranean’ plants while damp, shady sites suit lush-leaved woodland plants. It’s far better to work with nature rather than against it!
Details of gardens open for St Lukes: www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/opengardens
A fascinating history of market gardening can be found on the Tamar AONB website: www.tamarvalley.org.uk
Seasonal jobs
- Lavender should be lightly trimmed after flowering to remove dead flower stems and shoot tips. Now’s a great time to make more plants from cuttings taken from side shoots too.
- Summer-prune trained fruit trees.
- Camellias should be kept moist during dry spells to avoid bud drop next spring.
- Take cuttings of tender perennials that can be easily overwintered in small pots under cover.
- Keep watering and feeding containers of summer flowers to ensure a good display into autumn.
- Prune rambler roses after flowering (but not climbers).
Looking good now
Many tender perennials – fantastic for borders and pots. Particular favourites include blue Salvia and dark red chocolate cosmos (this smells amazing too).
Late-flowering clematis. The Viticella types are toughest and easiest to grow.
Ornamental grasses. Many produce spectacular plumes of ‘flowers’.
Passion flower. Unusual and showy blooms, plus orange fruits if the summer is warm.
Sue Fisher is a garden designer and writer based on the Bere Peninsula. Tel 01822 841895. Email: suefisher@talktalk.net Website: www.suefishergardens.co.uk