Owners Sue and Peter Russell began work on the garden in 2008, removing most of the existing plants and structures to create a blank canvas. The soil is very stiff loam, and parts of the garden remain moist for most of the year. Byecroft lies on the side of Bircher Common so the views are far-reaching, but it is also exposed to winds from several directions.
The land is divided in two by Welshman's Lane. The smaller area round the house is where the main garden is situated. On the other side of the lane, the larger area of land is divided into an orchard, a soft fruit garden and grazing land for sheep. Increasingly wet winters are causing problems with fungal diseases, and we are carrying out a programme of replanting to replace the more susceptible species. Our greatest loss in 2020 was the curved screen of ivy which surrounded the formal pond. We removed all the ivy, replaced the soil and replanted in the autumn, but it will be several years before the new ivy matches what we've lost. Such is gardening! |