Last year I didn’t start thinking seriously about Tatton Show until May (the show is in July). It may only be January but I know I need to start much earlier this year. The plants I need will be harder to find, and I want to produce better, bigger plants than I did last year.
I’ve mentioned to a few people that I want to do something ‘Inspired by Great Dixter’. To that end I went to Sussex last week to talk the idea over with Fergus Garrett and his team and spent a very happy hour or so plucking nuggets of advice from them about plant choices and how to grow them on to best effect. It is wonderful spending time with very experienced gardeners. Their accumulated knowledge is far greater than could ever be written down, so must be exchanged face to face or lost. Horticultural college is fine as far as it goes, but it’s barely a skeleton of knowledge, lacking the complex flesh of real understanding which takes decades to build up. Still, I’m building it slowly but perceptibly.
Here’s the picture I took at Dixter from which the Tatton idea originates. It feels quite scary to look at it – I have no idea really if I can produce anything with this strength of form, depth of colour and density of planting by July. I have started collecting plants – a couple of Musa basjoo, some Cannas, Ensete
ventricosa ‘Maurelii’ (Red Banana), and I’m on the trail of some specific Dahlia varieties. But there’s a very long way to go…
Great Dixter’s Exotic Garden, August 2006
4 Responses to “Planning for Tatton already!”
I have tickets to the Tatton Show this year and will eagerly look for your entry. I live in the US and visit England each spring to photograph wildflowers. Two years ago I visited Bluebell Cottage and fell in love with the wildflower meadow which I am trying o recreate on my property. I have been to the Chelsea Show twice but decided to take in the Tatton Show this year. Good luck on your entry.
Happy New Year, it looks like an exciting project Sue. We are looking forward to going down to see the wildlife meadows at Dixter – combined with Sissinghurst so quite a nice trip.
Skye I was at a meeting yesterday where a botanist recommended planting yellow rattle in a wildflower meadow, it feeds on the grass thus reducing the vigour which enables the wildflowers to get a better hold.
Although we won’t be coming to Tatton i do hope there will be regular progress reports Sue.
At the moment I am sad to say I am gripped by the white fever, many varieties are now starting to flower and snowdrop lunches are on the calendar, there now that proves how sad I am!! But I rejoice in galanthophilia, it takes all sorts.
regards
B
brianfrombrooke:
Thanks for the advice. I am having a problem with grass. This will hopefully aid with that. I am having some difficulties getting my meadow started. I have more Dog Fennel than anything else.
Hello Skye and Brian and a Happy New Year to you both.
I’ll post an entry specifically on wildflower meadows and we can compare notes….