Gardening is as much about anticipation as enjoying the moment, and by the end of February my head is already full of images of daffodils and tulips and spring blossom….though the reality may take a couple of months to catch up!
So to find a garden that is actually at its best in February is quite unusual.Last weekend I visited Little Court in Crawley near Winchster and was delighted to discover a fabulous orchard garden planted with carpets of crocus, snowdrops and aconites.
I was visiting my daughter who is at Winchester School of Art and had seen some very evocative photographs of Little Crawley in an article in February Country Living magazine. Wide swathes of naturalised Crocus lit up the Victorian orchard, while nearer the house bantams picked around amongst a carpet of Snowdrops.
Glowing, golden Aconites shone below tawney grasses and jewel Hellebores in the pale sunlight.
April will bring Anemone blanda beneath the venerable Copper Beech followed by the china blue of Muscari ‘Valerie Finnis’ and in the orchard the crocus are gradually overtaken by ‘White Lady’ narcissus. Snake’s head Fritillaries follow together with species Tulip. In the sumer the Orchard takes aback seat and broad herbaceous borders take a starring roll.
Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. Crawley is a picture perfect English village with duck pond and thatched cottages. I really did expect Miss Marple to step out of her front door at any moment! Oh and as always the teas were delicious, served from the rather pretty village hall decorated with gingham tablecloths and tiny, fresh bouquets of miniature Daffodils. A real treat!
