Right plant, right place

Above: Riverside planting of astilbes

Above: Curving beds by the river

Above: Vibrant red monarda works well with burgundy foliage

When Pam Scrivens started developing her three-acre garden over 20 years ago, she soon discovered that the variety of micro-climate habitats would give her a lot of scope for creativity. With the river Stour edging one of the boundaries and dry areas as well, the planting could be very diverse.

Gradually, the different areas were transformed from expanses of lawn to a series of loosely defined spaces. “We looked at the three acres and realised we had to get involved. My husband did the hard landscaping and I did the planting,” explains Pam.

A major job was to replant the large curving beds by the river. “Although the garden does flood here, it doesn’t affect the growth. The river enhances the garden and we have planted for that purpose, with plants appropriate for the location, such as astilbes, hostas, fritillaries and marsh orchids. We have followed the concept of ‘right plant, right place’ throughout the garden,” Pam comments.

More than 100 different trees, such as betula and Acer griseum with its spectacular peeling bark, have been planted for their beauty, long-term interest and welcome shade. “Trees are fabulous and sometimes not appreciated enough,” adds Pam. The aim in the garden is to get year-round colour from a mix of flowers, trees and shrubs. There are early snowdrops through to golden rudbeckias and echinaceas, autumn foliage, berries and bark to admire.

We looked at the three acres and realised we had to get involved

“We try to be as organic as possible, use no pesticides and grow everything possible ourselves,” explains Pam. “We have a self-sufficient vegetable garden, make our own compost and propagate or grow from seed.”

From the vast palette of plants and obvious connection she has with the environment, it is clear that Pam absolutely loves the garden and meets its challenges with great enthusiasm.

If a tree is damaged in a storm it offers the opportunity to change a shady fern area into a more open garden. “I redo the plantings anyhow as they change or need refurbishing. Gardening is trial and error. My father was always a keen gardener so it has always been in the family,” Pam comments.

From the riverside area at the front of the house, the character changes in the back garden. There is a large formal rose garden, brimming with choice David Austin blooms, a dry-themed grass garden, herbaceous borders, an orchard, potager, ponds fringed with plants, and a much-used barbecue area.

From the riverside area at the front of the house, the character changes in the back garden

Colour combinations are carefully considered. “I am fanatical about colours blending, matching and combining them. I have hot colours down one side of the garden and cool on the other side and an all-white garden and a blue area,” says Pam.

“Containers are important, too, in the arrangements and I renovate areas of the garden as they need it. I love to walk around on my own, enjoying looking at what is in flower.”

As well as being a keen plantswoman, Pam likes to create little vignettes to draw the eye. “I look at books, visit gardens, get ideas and adopt them,” she admits. Many of the containers and the few sculptural focal points dotted around are made using recycled materials, such as with her son’s ironwork, a replanted black metal trough and milk churns brimming with trailing colour.

Opening times

Tram Hatch, Charing Heath

Sunday 13 July (1.30-5pm)

Admission £3.50, children free

Visitors welcome by appointment, groups of 15+

Tel: 01233 713373

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