Veronica notes, “but he doesn’t mind going out each morning on a beetle hunt.” He captures the evil little intruders and squishes them with his pinchers. “Lilies are my favourite flower for cutting,” she says. “I always like to have a vase of them in the house.” Under


construction last year was a


hidden garden in the farthest reaches of the yard. It is located behind some latticed structures near the newer pergola and will offer a shady escape from the hottest summer days. In it, Veronica is growing the shy woodland plants such as rhodo- dendrons, azaleas and hellebore along with delicate epimedium and colourful heuchera and some spring wildflowers. In Wales last year, Veronica discovered


a woodland plant called yellow wax-bells (Kirengeshoma palmate) and she has locat- ed a source for them at John’s Nursery in Uxbridge. Native to Asia, they will make a lush addition to the shade garden. The pathways here are of wood chips which will mute the sound of footsteps, helping to keep the secret of this cool and seques- tered garden. Trees play an important part in the


garden. In addition to the exquisite Japa- nese maple, there is a nearby yew. A small weeping cherry blooms pinkly in spring- time and a serviceberry produces lures for the birds she and Walter enjoy. Two tall blue spruce and a pine tree provide shade for the secret garden. A tall cedar hedge offers privacy from the neighbours’ eyes and a haven for birds. Last summer, Veronica was delightedly surprised to host five wild turkeys that took up residence in her yard for five days. When they went for a walk, they stopped cars, the drivers’ respectfully allowing them to cross the street at their leisure. Throughout the garden there are bits of


memory from a friend who passed away. He was an artist and a gardener and many of his unique pieces decorate Veronica’s garden. “I know I should keep it simple,” she says, “and I know that less is more, but I have great difficulty restraining myself.” That comes to plants, too. Anyhow, she adds, I made the garden for us. She can see the glamour gardens on her travels, but here at home, there are many personal things that demanding and deserve atten- tion in the garden. That’s


the way it should be. There


are no pretensions about Veronica and there are none about her garden. It’s a warm delightful space where she can be completely herself. That’s what gardens are all about, after all. V


The raised veggie plot and the greenhouse. Veronica keeps her pots here and gets an early start on spring.


Below left: late crocus. Below centre: ornametal corn.


Below right: David Austin shrub rose, ‘Princess Margareta’, a very fragrant repeat bloomer. “Very hardy,” says Veronica, who transplanted it from her old house and “it didn’t blink”.


A dusting of snow covers the garden early in winter, showing off the wonderful garden bones Veronica has created.


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