Visit to Natalie Finch's Garden

BY BRIAN THURLOW

The small but select party of NCCPG members visiting this East Bergholt garden on Saturday 16 June was in for a treat.

Although Natalie is known for her expertise in roses there was so much more to see. She explained to us that she had single-handedly developed her one acre garden over the last 30 years and very impressive it was.

Setting out from the house our attention was firstly drawn to a Dracunculus vulgaris in full flower with its almost black spadix protruding from the maroon/purple spathe. Rather like Arisaemas, they have a fascinating (some think sinister) quality that extends to the curiously-blotched stems. Further on we were shown the bog gardens bursting with an array of moisture loving plants. Although Natalie had used a proper membrane in one bed the same effect was equally successful in another where compost bags (suitably pierced) had been used as a liner. Ligularias, hostas, cimicifugas, astilbes, Hydrangea quercifolia and one of my favourites the chestnut-leaved Rodgersia aesculifolia all vied for our attention. Also in abundance was Galega which we were told needed to be kept in serious check.

Looking beyond the bog garden our eyes were drawn to a good sized specimen of Elaeagnus commutata argentii. The silver-white leaves illuminated by the sun and against a very ominous black sky created a magical, almost theatrical effect. This shrub is an American native commonly known as Wolf Willow over there but often sold over here as E. quicksilver.

Beyond an open screen of cleverly pruned golden Hedera another great area came into view surrounded at the boundary by mature trees festooned with white ramblers such as Rambling Rector and Kifsgate. Specimen trees planted in the lawn included the Kentucky coffee tree, Gymnocladus dioica with large oval leaves that turn to bright yellow in the autumn. To the right of this area we saw what must be one of the biggest and oldest mulberry trees for miles, its long limbs prostrate and growing in all directions. Another tree worthy of a mention was a very attractive cornus which was in full flower with its creamy-white bracts. There was some discussion on the day as to which variety it was and I'm told it has since been identified as macrophylla.

Roses, of course, abound throughout the garden and especially on a large pergola where several varieties mingle including Madam Alfred Carrier, that well scented repeat-flowerer. Growing nearby was Rosa foliolosa that originated from a cutting from Jenny Robinson's Boxford garden. First catalogued in 1880 in America it was a rose I hadn't encountered but having looked it up it is certainly worth growing with its single rich pink flowers. Natalie generously distributed cuttings and assured us it was very easily propagated.

The day of our visit was a showery one but we were, thankfully, able to take refuge in Natalie's dining room for refreshments when it got too wet for comfort in the garden. All in all an enjoyable and most informative afternoon in the company of a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable plantswoman.