Homes & Gardens Winter isn't all dismal
We tend to think of the winter months as drab, dark, dreary and decidedly discouraging, at least as far as gardening is concerned. In reality, we generally get a few days when the sky is blue and the sun surprisingly warm. 'What is this life', a poet said, 'if we
have no time to stand and stare?'. Now is a good time to 'stand and stare' and enjoy bare trees covered in sparkling frost against the backdrop of a blue sky; red, yellow and orange cornus glowing on a sunny day; ornamental grasses, left to overwinter, rustling and whispering in the breeze. Agile squirrels venture from their winter sleep, unhidden by leaves, spring from one bare branch to another. And ponds and lakes that aren't frozen over attract a surprising variety of wildlife.
Successful gardening demands 'planning' and 'designing' and 'making lists' well in advance. Now is exactly the right time to glean ideas to put into operation for the same period next year. Of course, there aren't many gardens open to provide inspiration, Hadlow College's Broadview being a notable exception. Consisting of a number of themed gardens designed and constructed by students over the last 14 or so years, the 10 acres are open to the public free of charge 360 days of the year.
Home to a national collection of
hellebores, the gardens are also planted with hundreds of spring bulbs and swathes of snowdrops and, even on the grimmest winter day, there is always something to lift the spirits. *READERS who would prefer a
conducted tour of Hadlow's Broadview Gardens might be interested in taking a Winter Garden Colour Tour with head gardener Alex Rennie on one of the following days: February 17, 21, 23-24 and March 2-3, at11am and 2pm each day. There will be time for questions during the tour. Tickets cost £3, Under 16s accompanied by an adult free of charge. Tickets must be purchased in
advance and are available from Broadview Gardens or by post (enclose a SAE, cheques payable Hadlow College): from Pat Crawford, press officer, Hadlow College, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 0AL, email:
pat.crawford@
hadlow.ac.uk /
patjournalist@waitrose.com, or phone: 01732 852243 / 07771 635684.
Supplied by Pat Crawford for Hadlow College
HAMI LTON F I N E K I T C H E N S
Kitchens of distinction by Guy Hamilton
Free no obligation home consultation and design. Full installation service including building works. Superior quality at surprisingly low prices. www.
hamiltonkitchens.co.uk 01622 844897
34 Mid Kent Living
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