Recently, Garden History enjoyed 3 visits: 2 to gardens which were in “The Glory of the Garden” and a third sometimes open for JAYF. Melissa Bonn gave a guided walk around her large garden- Oaklands, St Peter. This garden has a stream feeding into a large pond and besides many beautiful shrubs, the garden features many unusual, rare trees. Where once cows grazed, there are now well planted borders. A poly tunnel is used for plant propagation and 2 new fig trees are being espaliered against a granite wall. The impressive arboretum is home to many forms of wildlife, including the biggest Asian hornet nest found in the island.
After 10 years, a return was made to Poperinghe, home of Mrs Liron in Winchester Street. Besides a well planted front garden, the back was reached by going through the house. The granite walls and buildings create a microclimate which allows tender plants to be grown. On one wall is an 100yr old Chaumontelle pear, cuttings of which were taken to grow at Hamptonne. Mrs Liron grows a wide range of vegetables, herbs, and has an ancient Williams pear, besides flowering shrubs.
Sion Hall Farm includes a steep valley which creates differing climatic zones, hosting a range of unusual trees, some ablaze in autumn foliage. Unfortunately, most trees are unnamed. Some camellia sasanquas were in flower, with rhododendrons heavily in bud. The eastern side of the valley leads to the residential level where a large glasshouse holds tropical plants e.g. Jacaranda mimosifolia, a striped Eureka lemon from California, along with Crotons and Hibiscus.
