Christine's Norfolk Garden

At the beginning of July on a gloriously sunny day, I visited Christine’s Norfolk garden.

Christine and her husband ran a number of hotels before retiring, and it was this experience growing vegetables and herbs to be used in the kitchen, that Christine developed her planting knowledge.

As you enter the garden you are met by neatly yet closely planted raised borders, surrounded by little paved paths. At the centre, a wooden frame with the most glorious deep pink climbing rose divides the main garden into two sections. Further in, a green house appears, growing all sorts of veg, chillis and tomatoes, and then a wide lawn with a view onto neighbouring willow trees and a pretty Norfolk stone church in the distance.

What I love most about this garden is the combination of vegetables, herbs, flowers and shrubs all planted alongside each other. A row of luscious lettuces are framed by bright orange Pot Marigolds, a flowering courgette is surrounded by pretty pale purple flowers of Creeping Thyme, and a flourishing Sage happily nestles next to a tiny pine tree.

And my favourite effect of all, the bold pink flowers of the climbing Rose are wonderfully enhanced by the deep red leaves of both an Acer and a Cotinus growing just below, with nearby tall Hollyhocks completing this gathering of pinks.

I spent such a lovely time wandering about this beautifully presented garden filled with it’s array of wonderful plants in complementing colours, delighting in each new discovery.

Alice xx