It's my garden! In 2004, Geoff Stonebanks was lucky enough to take early reZrement. He leaves the BriZsh capital to take
It’s my garden!
A liNle bit of WHIMSY
Travelling from London and its mists to the coast of Sussex and the sea spray, this guy who took early re:rement, passionate about plants has created a crazy garden to match it’s closeness to the sea.
In 2004, Geoff Stonebanks was lucky enough to take early re:rement. He leaves the Bri:sh capital to take refuge in 2500m2 in the "far south", that is to say the Sussex coast. But everything has a price : aGer the fog, he discovers the salt. The soil is limestone, the wind omnipresent and half the plants brought from his London garden in pots did not survive their first winter.
Making the best of it....
Never mind, I made do with what there was, and there are now over 400 different spiecies and varie:es in the garden today. I have only planted plants adapted to the soil, I have given up on trees, replaced by climbing plants over pergolas and have filled in al the spaces by mul:plying the shrubs and hedges to protect the garden from the wind. I am far from a landscape gardener, I really plant as it takes my fancy. I did the same for the decora:on, which is without doubt rather surprising to certain gardeners, but oGen comes from treasures from shipwrecks on the nearby coast. But all in all, the visitors are delighted,,, So....
Below Privacy The alley in Roman stones, slightly raised, leads to the summer house. The hydrangeas, which don't like limestone soil are planted in huge earthenware pots hidden between the shrubs. To the le> OpAcal illusion To give the idea that the garden is bigger than it really is, Geoff has used tradi:onal effects : rounded paths, a succession of arches, as if they were doors invi:ng you to discover the garden step by step. To the right With or without sugar? Carefully chosen not to match but very colourful, these cups and cake plates are ideal for tea with Alice's mad haNer. They look like flowers against the olearia hedge (hostas from New Zealand) perfectly adapted to the salty wind.
It’s my garden!
Gi>s from the sea
1. The ground is covered with pebbles and shale, a reminder of the surrounding area and marine objects sought out here and there or simply picked up on the beach such as glass floats and this crab basket.
2. The stones, which are laid on a membrane to avoid weeds, make an ideal environment for numerous plants showing them to their advantage. An example is this palm tree and this sea kale with frizzled leaves which is a star.
3. Definitely washed up and lost for naviga:on, this small boat has found a second life in the garden where it houses different plants, annuals and perennials. 4. The lobster pots some:mes find their true use again but more oGen than not they are used as sculptures. "Why not", says Geoff...? "They are true pieces of artwork....." 5. The agaves contrast with the suppleness of the "angel hair" s:pa. Prolific but not excessive, these grasses reseed themselves here and there in this well-‐draining ground where it suffices to remove the surplus ones. 6. The plants are inspired by the natural vegeta:on from the dunes. A well-‐dosed mix of freedom and discipline make this whole place charming without being excessive.
It’s my garden! 5. The agaves contrast with the suppleness of the "angel hair" s:pa. Prolific but not excessive, these grasses reseed themselves here and there in this well-‐ draining ground where it suffices to remove the surplus ones 6. The plants are inspired by the natural vegeta:on from the dunes. A well-‐dosed mix of freedom and discipline make this whole place charming without being excessive 7. The original lawn has been replaced at the back of the house by a paved pa:o, far more prac:cal and welcoming. The bench is moved around depending on the season, so that it is always in the sun. 8. There is nothing to fear from the bite of this metal spider. one of the numerous objects spread around here and there just like all the other eye-‐catching things which add to the charm of the visit.
9. Although they are grown in pots, the agaves remain outside all year round, thanks to the mild climate. "I only chose the more hardy variety" says the owner...there is s:ll quite a variety. 10. Pots and raised flowerbeds which par:cularly suit plants which require a lot of watering or sunlight. Always planted close together, you almost don't no:ce the pots when they are in full flower.
