The Gardens
The House is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery on the Island.
Set in its own lovely, two acre gardens, the house nestles at the foot of the famous Undercliff on the sea-ward side of the village, with St. Boniface Down rising magnificently 800 feet on the northern side, thus ensuring a mild, almost sub-tropical climate.
The "English Mediterranean"
The sub-tropical climate of the undercliff allows us to grow a number of beautiful exotic trees, palms and shrubs. Nestled in between St. Boniface Downs to the north, and the English Channel to the south, we have our own micro-climate which helps keep the temperature several degrees warmer than mainland temperatures, helping us to remain virtually frost free all year round.
Yuccas and Phormiums (New Zealand Flax) thrive here as well as do Trachycarpus Fortunei (Windmill Palm) and Agaves.
Exotic
The natural undulating landscape of the garden is best appreciated entering from the lower level. Here you can see the beautifully fragrant Clerodendrum (Glory Bower) and Cornus Chinensis (Chinese Dogwood). Still to the right of the path is the very tall Crinodendron Hookeranum (Lantern Tree), so called because of the crimson urn shaped flowers in early summer.
Other notable trees are the Paulownia Tomentosa (Princess Foxglove Tree) and our magnificent Magnolia Campbellii. From this point we can look up to see the Violet/Blue Flowers of the Hibiscus Bluebird (Tree Mallow). Round to the front of the House, outside of the T.V. room and Bar, we have some beautiful Brugmansias (better known by some as daturas). These plants are tender, but manage to survive outside in pots under cover of the verandah. Their flowers are pink or white and shaped like trumpets, hence the common name for them – ‘angels trumpets’.
Several varieties of Hellebores flourish here – in particular Helleborus Orientalis (Lenten Rose), H. Feotidus and H.Corsicus ( or Argutifolious).
The huge Rhododendron type shrub on the bank next to the Pampas Grass, is an Eriobotrya Japonica ( or Loquat – Japanese Medlar) which very rarely flowers – only flowering after long hot summers!
We are Organic!
We can proudly say that we are 99% Organic, in that we do not use chemicals to control weeds or pests. We actively encourage wildlife into the Garden, with dry stone walls, numerous log piles, compost bins and bird and squirrel boxes. If you are lucky, you may see our pest controllers at work ie. Frogs and Toads, Newts, Slow Worms, not to mention the Micro Organisms in the compost bins. Yes, we recycle all our kitchen waste, and together with used teabags, we add seaweed, horse manure, grass clippings, nettles and leaves to make our own compost, which will go back into the soil.
Other regular guests to the Garden include Red Squirrels, a male Pheasant and families of Badgers and Foxes, which help to get rid of our Kitchen Waste!
These images are just a few taken from our garden through the seasons.
