Garden revival
Jean’s first task was to prune back the garden and remove
and replace those plants that were struggling.
“We created new beds and converted the original rose
bed into a circular vegetable garden. Some of the existing
roses were moved to the new beds, and to add additional
colour I planted more roses, as well as perennials such as
salvias, lavenders, agapanthus and irises.
“Annuals like fairy primulas, snapdragons, delphiniums
and pansies provide seasonal colour in-between.”
The annuals are planted in August. “It is still too cold
earlier in the season. Before planting the seedlings, we
dig homemade compost and bone meal into the beds.
We have such a wonderful climate and amazingly fertile
soil; I don’t have to give them extra nutrition during the
growing season at all. They grow so well all by themselves.”
Because the garden is so old, there are many well-
established trees and shrubs, like the ancient Japanese
flowering cherry and brightly coloured azaleas. “Some of
the trees and shrubs are probably about 60 years old.
I leave those beautiful old plants to get on with it on their
own. I don’t touch them; I’m too afraid I might do
something wrong and they’ll die,” she says with a smile.
Jean adores roses. “They can be hard work, especially
at pruning time, but I have planted at least 50 roses and
will probably keep on going as their beauty is unsurpassed.
It gives me so much joy to pick the blooms in summer and
display them in the house.
“Among my favourite roses are ‘Blossom Magic’,
‘Satchmo’, ‘Sasa’, ‘Pooh Bear’ and ‘Peace’. When I started
gardening, John’s mother always had a ‘Peace’ rose in her
garden. No matter where we stay, we always plant one as a
reminder of her.” >>Jean selects plants that can
withstand their cold climate – many
of them are similar to those found in
gardens in England. To complement
the look and feel of the garden, she
planted additional flowering cherry
trees which do very well in the
cold winters of the KZN Midlands.
“I’m not a fan of putting frost covers
on plants in winter. They must survive
on their own!”Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)reader garden