Meadow Garden: Assessing the Space

When we first viewed the property, the big area beyond the conventional garden near the house, was fairly empty. Apart from a fruit cage, an old greenhouse, a couple of sheds and a wooden stable it was two acres of intensely mown grass, complete with straight mown lines to the horizon. Very tidy, very time consuming and to our eyes, blank and uninspiring. But what it had, was potential.

The grass sloped down gently to the mixed hedge on the southern boundary. Beyond was a breathtaking view of uninterrupted countryside to the South Downs in the distance. Only in winter could a roof of a neighbour’s stable be seen, and that was probably the best part of half a mile away. Otherwise, layers of greens and textures of woodland resembling an Alfred Bestall illustration from a Rupert book. A view to rest your eyes on, and one that changed with the light, with the weather and with the seasons.

On the east side was a hedge with two massive old mature English Oaks (Quercus robur), a huge Beech (Fagus sylvatica), an Ash tree (Fraxinus ) and a beautiful Holly (Ilex). In their shade grew bluebells and wood anemones. On the opposite side was another old hedge with many species including Blackthorn, Elder, Crab Apple and Hawthorn as well as an abundance of bramble and ivy.

The soil was heavy clay, which became waterlogged or baked hard in turn. As long as plant introductions were chosen with this in mind, and didn’t object to a tough start in life, once established they thrived and grew fast.

What appealed to us was the potential of this space. The scale was massive but because we had never considered a garden this size, and previously had a modest sized town garden we were excited by the scope this offered, the design opportunities and actually just the opportunity of having our own huge expanse of land. We wanted the land for a purpose; to develop a natural garden and encourage wildlife. Not just space for its own sake, tempting though that seems.

Occasionally in later years we’d catch the odd episode of ‘Escape to the Country’ or similar, and would find ourselves shouting “No You Don’t!” at the innocents who viewed a property with a couple of acres and declared “ Yes, it’s OK, but really, we’d like more land”

Any sized plot comes with joys and responsibilities. An enthusiastic approach is just the start.