GILL RICHARDSON
Gill Richardson’s masterpiece at Manor Farm
If you analyze where the majority of England’s exceptional gardens happen to be situated it becomes apparent that they are mainly in the counties. Here, in rural, outlying areas far from major conurbations and outside influences, is also where exciting new gardens are being made. These are gardens that have either been passed on from one generation to the next, or built with singular flair virtually from scratch, as at Manor Farm, Lincolnshire. The common factors linking all these gardens, and characteristic of English gardens in general, is a love of plants and an appreciation of the gardening skills needed to care for them. Gill Richardson is a fine example, as the creator of superb combinations of plants which blend trees, perennials, ornamental grasses and bulbs in a way particular to this garden. Her talents should not be underestimated.
A rustic throne-like seat of oak placed strategically at the end of one of the main paths and inscribed with the word ‘Astrantia’ is symbolic of the romantic, yet innovative character of this garden, situated in one of England’s least visited regions. As a county predominantly agricultural in character, shaped by the vast wetlands of the fens and the east winds blowing off the North Sea, Lincolnshire is rarely considered one of the country’s top tourist destinations. The fields are large and given over predominantly to the cultivation of rapeseed, cereals and potatoes, with only an occasional solitary oak tree left standing as a reminder of the old field structure. Many years ago daffodils and tulips from Lincolnshire used to supply the major flower wholesalers, and the show of colour in the fields attracted visitors from all over England. But that was in the past, and although Spalding is still the centre of England’s bulb industry, it has long been overtaken by Holland as a bulk producer of bulbs. Nowadays there is little incentive to visit this corner of east England unless you are an admirer of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who came from Grantham, a few miles away from Gill Richardson’s home at Manor Farm, Keisby. Perseverance, hard work and passion seem to be qualities typical of the women of this region: the transformation of the garden at Manor Farm into a flowering paradise cannot be explained in any other way.
COUNTRY LIFE
The Richardsons are not one of those families who have escaped from the big city in search of an alternative lifestyle. They have been farmers for several decades, are totally familiar with the climate, soil and location, and harbour no illusions about the realities of life in the country. In Lincolnshire it is hard not to raise an eyebrow when people talk about the benign English climate. Conditions on England’s east coast are completely different to those on the milder west coast. The weather here is determined by the North Sea and, as Gill’s husband Adrian Richardson remarks, the wind is sometimes so bitter that it feels as if it has blown in straight from Russia. The Pennine Hills forming England’s backbone act as a barrier to rain, preventing its spread eastwards. As a consequence, soils are dry and water is often in short supply. Another important factor is the lie of the land. Contrary to the general misconception, however, not all of Lincolnshire is flat. The area around Keisby is characterized by gentle rises and dips. Its natural topography affords some protection against the biting winds, a factor exploited over the centuries as is evident in the picturesque villages of this area, many of which date back to the sixteenth century. Manor Farm, a listed building dating back to 1620 and built from light-coloured sedimentary stone, blends seamlessly into the landscape. Were it not for the numerous farm buildings it would be easy to drive right past the house without noticing it. In addition, there is no sign of a garden. All that is visible is a large area of hardstanding and a collection of plant tubs packed between the back door and the stable.
ENEMIES WITHIN
Gill Richardson has been working on her garden since the 1970s and is well aware that there is a fine line separating success from failure. Enemies lurk round every corner, be they mice, wood pigeons or muntjac deer (a small species of deer which, to Gill Richardson’s horror, seem to regard hellebores as a tasty treat). Badgers are also not the harmless creatures portrayed in children’s literature; ‘Mr Brock’ loves nothing more than to dig up gardens in search of food or simply as a nocturnal pastime. What has been achieved here at Manor Farm, despite far from ideal conditions, would (and does) inspire many a gardener, particularly those with problem areas. Quite apart from the constant wind, the soil is of heavy clay. Mulching is an absolute necessity if plants are to flourish here, as are an extensive knowledge of horticulture and a good deal of patience. Even if it is essentially Gill’s garden, the Richardsons work as a team without any additional help. Adrian’s contribution is considerable: he mows the lawns, clears ground, and takes care of all the rough work in this 0.4-hectare/1-acre garden.
This was once a hinterland, an ordinary stream running along the boundary. Now it has been transformed by Gill and cloaked with a mixture of moisture- and shade-loving perennials.
The transitions from one area to the next are cleverly staged. Here, a clematis-covered arch marks the entrance to the semi-shaded area beneath trees where Gill’s collection of Astrantia is to be found.
The original part of the garden, which you see as you approach along the side of the building, looks from a distance like so many farmhouse gardens, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the farmyard and consisting of a large rectangular lawn behind the house surrounded by flower beds. However, first impressions can be deceptive and the longer you look around the more you see, and the more you become aware that this garden differs from the norm. The borders, set off by the virtually perfect lawn, mown with broad stripes and sharply trimmed edges, are particularly eye-catching. The planting is constructed in tiered layers and includes a subtle mixture of trees, shrubs and perennials. Interspersed with a variety of bulbs, including crown imperials (Fritillaria imperialis) and tulips, the borders are a wonderful mixture of colours and shapes which flow into each other. Beyond the garden the view continues into a landscape of pastures and woodland. The design is so clever that it is hardly apparent that this part of the garden runs parallel to the country lane, which is hidden behind a yew hedge. While the border along this boundary is relatively narrow, its counterpart on the other side of the lawn has much larger proportions. Beneath the old fruit trees Gill Richardson has planted a carpet of ground-cover plants in multiple shades of green. Snowdrops and many of her favourite astrantias thrive here, including Astrantia major Gill Richardson Group and other varieties she has bred herself – which is why groups of plant fans, even from abroad, make their way here to visit the garden (open by appointment only). A natural, romantic ambience pervades this apparently peripheral area. Striking groups of Nectaroscordum siculum have proliferated in the semi-shade of a corkscrew hazel (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’). Their closed buds resemble spears, standing out boldly from the masses of white honesty (Lunaria annua var. albiflora). Delicate branches filter the light and provide dappled shade, lending a further dimension to the garden.
The sheer diversity and dynamic quality of the new Gravel Garden is astonishing: in the foreground (from left to right) are Delphinium requienii, Achillea millefolium ‘Lilac Beauty’ and Centranthus lecoqii.
Scarlet Lychnis coronaria ‘Blych’ pokes its head up between Michaelmas daisies such as Aster amellus ‘Vanity’ and pale lilac A. pyrenaeus ‘Lutetia’.
On an open area of grass parallel to the gravel beds Adrian has built a pavilion, or as he terms it ‘the bandstand’. Sitting surrounded by a screen of Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ and white Gaura lindheimeri, it is a wonderful spot to catch the evening sun.
SPRING BLOSSOM
The well-tended lawn provides a natural visual break from this abundance of plants. Standing with your back to the house, you could easily imagine that the garden ends by the spreading Magnolia × soulangeana, planted thirty years ago. In springtime when this magnificent tree scatters its blossom over the ground, it looks, as Gill so aptly remarks, ‘as if someone is having a wedding’. The magnolia, however, is merely an interlude on the way to an entirely different area, concealed by the outstretched branches and the masterly semi-shaded planting beneath its canopy. And here lies the charm of this garden: it reveals itself gradually. Gill Richardson uses plants like building elements, creating a multifaceted, natural and romantic ambience with year-round impact. Since there is no clearly defined route through this country garden, you can wander as the fancy takes you. Eventually you will reach the furthermost section of the garden, where vegetables used to be grown but since transformed into a herb garden surrounded by yew hedging and spanned by straight paths. This stronger formal element contrasts well with the otherwise informal design of the garden. And it is here, at the end of one of the axes, that Gill has positioned the throne-like ‘Astrantia’ seat, a resting place from where she can see over to the newest section of her garden – the vibrant naturalistic flower beds.
Gill is constantly devising new plant combinations. Here she has partnered foxtail lilies (Eremurus × isabellinus ‘Cleopatra’) with pale yellow yarrow (Achillea), clary sage (Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica) and mother-of-pearl poppies (Papaver rhoeas Mother of Pearl Group).
However there is so much more to see even before you reach this section, such as the first-rate planting along the banks of the stream marking the boundary with the neighbouring property. The steep bank is covered with a variety of moisture- and shade-loving perennials: common butterbur (Petasites), magnificent hostas, especially Hosta sieboldiana, Ligularia and Rodgersia, as well as astrantia and more. As Gill is quick to point out, the stream is not always a peaceful brook but can become a rushing torrent and burst its banks, carrying everything along with it. Establishing a meaningful planting is therefore difficult, and sometimes means starting again after the winter storms and battling against nettles, but for Gill it is worth it because the stream is integrated into the garden.
Until ten years ago, the garden ended at the stone boundary wall which can still be partially seen. But when the adjacent farmyard was abandoned, and no one else had a use for it, the land was signed over to the Richardsons. The only condition was that the neighbouring house retained right of access across the property. The ground was heavily compacted, bare and exposed. Anyone else would have avoided tackling an area like this, but Gill Richardson had a plan. On one hand it offered an opportunity to continue planting along the stream and to construct a path, even if it was only a narrow track along its banks. On the other, and perhaps more importantly, the new site provided the chance to create a gravel garden.
The bare plot of land acquired from a neighbouring farm has undergone the most dramatic transformation, and it is hard to imagine that tractors and farm equipment once filled this space. The two island beds of the Gravel Garden brim over with perennials, ornamental grasses and bulbs, as if they had always been here.
Beth Chatto and Piet Oudolf are two of Gill Richardson’s role models. She is a particular fan of Chatto’s gravel garden and given that not only the climatic conditions but also the land’s former use have a great deal in common with Chatto’s site, she knew that she stood a good chance of success. The result is remarkable, especially in summer and autumn, when the sun-loving plants and ornamental grasses reach upwards, courting attention. Approaching this area from the damp shade of the stream the contrast could not be greater, as once away from the protection of the trees the wind blows relentlessly and it seems incredible that anything could thrive here. But it is also the wind that adds an extra dimension to the planting, without which the Miscanthus and tall Sanguisorba obtusa would not sway so beautifully. From a distance it is hardly discernible that the Gravel Garden is comprised of two beds. Having paced up and down the area, Adrian decided on the shape of the island beds and also brought in truckloads of manure. The rest was left up to Gill, who learned through trial and error what would thrive. Crucial elements in her success are her strong sense of colour composition and her natural instinct for planting.
Gill Richardson prefers plants that look after themselves, such as lungwort (Pulmonaria) and ornamental grasses. But there are also hidden treasures, such as Helleborus ‘Anna’s Red’, casually but cleverly incorporated into the garden, plants that reflect Gill’s passion for striking but delicate flowers. She has gradually moved away from shrub roses and prefers to use climbing roses and ramblers, such as Rosa ‘Rambling Rector’ and R. ‘Treasure Trove’, which weave their way among and over trees. It is the eye for detail and finesse with layering plants that make Manor Farm such a captivating garden.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
|
Adapting: choosing the most appropriate plants for the location and existing conditions. |
|
Water: regardless of how dry the conditions get, plants must be able to survive without additional watering. |
|
Time: work gradually, expanding and developing the garden as one’s expertise and knowledge grows. |
|
Teamwork: in the same way that Vita Sackville-West and Margery Fish had the support of their husbands in achieving miracles during the last century, Adrian Richardson’s contribution to Gill’s success has been similarly important. |
SIGNATURE PLANTS
|
A range of snowdrops (Galanthus) |
|
Different species and cultivars of hellebore (Helleborus) |
|
Astrantia in variety |
|
Ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus |
|
Lungwort (Pulmonaria). |
| New cultivars bred by Gill Richardson: | |
|
Astrantia ‘Burgundy Manor’. |
|
Two new, as yet unnamed Astrantia seedlings. |
|
Striking, red Astrantia major Gill Richardson Group. |