Page 107 - homes & gardens

into the hedges that divide and shape the space. “It is OPPOSiTe PaGe, TOP LeFT alongside Aloe arborescens, on the lawn behind a shallow
important to have repetition in the planting so a rhythm and riGHT An elegant water Trachycarpus and the retaining wall, which neatly
feature creates a focal point graceful feathery-topped accommodates a change
is created that runs throughout,” says Christine.
at the centre of the neatly grass Cortaderia. in the level of the garden.
Architectural evergreens predominate, ensuring clipped box parterre; this aBOVe LeFT In the Italian aBOVe This sheltered
year-round “good bones”, as do reclaimed materials: secluded path leads to garden, a classical statue seating area features
the granite blocks that top the wall around the parterre the Italian garden where a stands in a green room self-seeding fennel and the
cluster of tufty Cordyline of privet hedging, which red fowers of Centranthus
came from the Royal William Yard in Plymouth dock,
australis comes into view. provides effective shelter ruber, with a collection of
and paths feature granite setts that once graced the
LeFT Standing tall in the from the prevailing winds. potted succulents, rosemary,
old Newlyn post offce. As Christine explains, “The use lawn’s sheltered border are aBOVe CenTre A row of clipped box and the fan
of salvaged materials provides the garden with an impressive Echium pininana Cordyline australis stands palm Trachycarpus.
instant feeling of age and connects it with the char-
acter of the house, as well as anchoring the design,
giving it immediate weight and impact.”
In 2001, Christine and Charles extended the garden
by incorporating a fat strip of ground to the west of
the courtyards, formerly used for exercising horses.
“I wanted an open area to balance the enclosed
spaces around the house, a place from where we could
drink in the view across Mount’s Bay,” says Christine.
A line of Cordyline australis frames glimpses of
St Michael’s Mount, and helps to filter prevailing
winds, while a privet avenue running along the north-
south axis leads towards a statue of Venus. Openings
along each side of the corridor reveal green rooms;
some contain classical sculptures, palms or standard
olives, while others are empty, although the hedges
are animated by the bustle of nesting birds. In the Garden Guide
sunny, sheltered space on the avenue’s eastern side, Garden orientation West facing.
Soil type Alkaline clay that
Christine has created a gravel garden where sun lovers
benefts from regular applications
ILLUSTRATION SCOTT JESSOP have transformed a stable yard into a sophisticated Italian-inspired gardens dominated
such as phormiums, succulents and cacti bask beside
of horse manure.
a private seating area.
Special features A sequence of
With unwavering dedication, Christine and Charles
by clipped evergreens, large-
leaved exotics and salvaged
Italian-inspired garden full of inviting spaces flled
materials. Sweeping views across
with bold planting and the scent of the Mediterranean.
Mount’s Bay.
The Cornish Riviera has never looked so gorgeous. l
september 2015 | H&G | 107

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