Cottage Garden

[Jez]

The Severn Valley Railway is back open on Good Friday! As a Volunteer now for looking after the flower beds on Northwood Lane Platform I'd be keen to have a days gone by look (cottage garden), in keeping with the new mock Pagoda Shelter that has recently been put up, so passengers and visitors a like can get as close as possible to the feeling of the Steam Train Era!

Cottage Garden plant Suggestions please post here!

Thanks all- Jez.

P.S Should anyone be travelling the SVR at all and your train should stop at Northwood Halt?!? Should I be out in the Garden or out attending the flowers on the Platform.... please say Hi

[tufftie]

History and steam trains don't compute with me - what era are we looking at?!!! I have some books.....

[Jez]

From 1862 to 1963. So looking at perhaps somewhere in the middle?

Would like plant listings of what you deem a quintessential Cottage Garden!

[Jez]

I have just come across a Cottage Garden Seed Collection though i'd rather plant in rather grow from seed. The Mix contains:-

Lupins, Sweet Williams, Lambs Ear, Single Holly Hocks, Granny's Bonnet (Aquailegia), Delphiniums, Astrantias, Canterbury Bells, Pink Toadflax and Cephalaria.

Looking at paintings of Cottage Gardens I see Sunflowers & what I imagine to be Nasturtiums. But all suggestions will be greatly recieved!

Thanks once again.

[tufftie]

The BTCV online shop does plug trays and things..though I know you already use a good supplier..just a though..

Okay will check that out in my books later for you

[Jez]

Thanks For that Naomi i'll have a gander.

[Paul mabbott]

Having spent much of my childhood in a real cottage garden - I would define it by saying that, if you like it, grow it!

Must have tall plants are hollyhocks, at the back of your planting. Rambling roses if you have a wall or fence to train them up.

What sort of soil is it? Is it dry or damp? At Millers Dale station (no trains now) the plots have largely gone back to nature but some plants still thrive - Polemonium, various Geranium spp, perennial cornflower, Aquilegia etc etc.

Originally Posted by Jez

The Severn Valley Railway is back open on Good Friday! As a Volunteer now for looking after the flower beds on Northwood Lane Platform I'd be keen to have a days gone by look (cottage garden), in keeping with the new mock Pagoda Shelter that has recently been put up, so passengers and visitors a like can get as close as possible to the feeling of the Steam Train Era!

Cottage Garden plant Suggestions please post here!

Thanks all- Jez.

P.S Should anyone be travelling the SVR at all and your train should stop at Northwood Halt?!? Should I be out in the Garden or out attending the flowers on the Platform.... please say Hi

[tufftie]

A few more to add to the ones already mentioned that the Victorians loved:
Pansies, sweet violets, lilly of the valley, wallflowers, poppies, peonies, rosas, sweet peas and pinks. I know it's a bit late now for some of them but...

[Jez]

Originally Posted by tufftie

A few more to add to the ones already mentioned that the Victorians loved:
Pansies, sweet violets, lilly of the valley, wallflowers, poppies, peonies, rosas, sweet peas and pinks. I know it's a bit late now for some of them but...

I'll go with opium Poppies they do well from seed! Lily Of the Valley will do best in the shade so may not do well here?! Sweet Peas will go up the wigwams and I've a Few Sweet Briar in planted in my new hedge behing the SVR border. Think i'll pop in some foxgloves- Elsey Kelsey also.

Thanks for your suggestions Naomi

[Kayleigh]

Herbaceous Collections - J Parker Dutch Bulbs

These have offers on at the moment not a bad price..I have just ordered 24 plants (perennials) for £12.