Pear Tree Cottage Garden Participates in "THE GARDENS OF WICHENFORD" Weekend 2017

Relaxing in the sunshine....

Visitors admiring the bonsai exhibits

....& slaving in the kitchen!

After the world's busiest week, I can reveal that our 'Gardens of Wichenford' weekend event was a resounding success. It was always going to be different without dear old Alan Green but, thanks to Sandra stepping into his organising shoes and the tremendous help from open garden stalwarts AND of course the weather, we all pulled it off!

In a couple of afternoons, Pear Tree Cottage had 473 visitors, many of whom were 'shuttled' up the hill from the orchard car park by Dave and Malcolm.  The bonsai exhibition had everyone enthralled with their precision in miniature. We couldn't have participated without our own helpers who made cakes, served teas and washed up for 2 whole days! So a BIG thanks to Pauline, Lyn, Pat and Di for both bringing cakes AND slaving away here. A special thank you to Ann Newton for making so many fabulous cakes - every crumb of which was sold. We made a total of £689.90 90% of which was made on teas - the rest being gate money & raffle tickets.  (Most people bought their entrance wristbands & tickets in other gardens.)  We had a total of 473 visitors - again, most of whom arrived in the afternoon for tea!

We also send our thanks to the members of South Worcestershire Bonsai Society who spent time and effort staging a really popular and professional exhibition. Without exception, our visitors loved their magical little trees. Incidentally, they would welcome anyone interested in becoming a member of their (very friendly!) society

A special mention to Di and Dave Evans who, having already booked their holiday cottage gave up an entire weekend of their holiday to help serve teas and wash up when they should have been walking along an empty beach hand in hand with the waves gently lapping their toes! Weren't they stars!

 We await news of the grand total and will keep you informed.

Fairy Tale Forest in a Garage!

These amazing exhibits are examples of perfection in miniature. These truly prized and highly valuable specimens are grown and tended by a few members of the South Worcestershire Bonsai Society. Malcolm Styles, Carl & their fellow team mates staged this exhibition in our garage a part of Wichenford Open Gardens.  Our many visitors really appreciated the skills involved and expressed a genuine  admiration. Any new members would be warmly welcomed & the team are happy to share their wealth of expertise with other interested parties. 

Trees versus cars? Trees win!

Check out more photos: Fairy Tale Forest and view full screen. Thank you 
South Worcestershire Bonsai Society for sharing your fabulous trees! 

It's Today!!

The Day Before.

Last minute jobs included repairs to both garden & well lighting. Roy was here bright and early and we had bright lights again when he left! Although it doesn't look it, the well is nearly 50' deep and well worth some lighting.

After mowing and edging the entire garden, cleaning  and arranging 2 sets of garden furniture, the bonsai  blokes arrived in the shape of Chris, Carl & Malcolm. In no time at all, the garage was transformed.  Elegantly covered benches were in place surrounded by back drops all ready to receive their fabulous bonsai specimens.

Just in time to finish dead heading - another 3 trips to the compost heap and in the house at 8.15pm ...Zzzzzzzz!

One day left before open gardens.

"This week, I 'ave bin mostly.....!!"

                                                       .....tidying and cleaning in the tool and potting sheds! Well, to be fair, not all week but today. One good thing about open gardens is the fact that it makes sure that ordinary maintenance jobs get done! Even the windows have been cleaned! Fences, seats, water butts even the barn have all been creosoted. Plastic pots have been sorted, stacked and tidied away. Terracotta pots have been cleaned, their cast iron guttering cleaned and treated and the pots sorted and stacked.

Tomorrow means mowing and edging everywhere, cleaning tables and chairs...........& a zillion other things!

A Real Yewlogy!

The mirror door.

Not a surprise in sight!

One hedge hiding 3 surprises! We have a mirror door, a window aperture and some secret steps all hidden in a yew hedge. No three features can be seen from one aspect but they're all there - hiding and waiting to surprise the unwary! The mirror door is just a garden feature. However, the aperture ensure that the utility room has access to light and the secret steps provide a shortcut from the barbecue terrace to the pond and Henclosure.

The shaping of the Yew hedge itself was started 2 years ago. In time we hope to mimic the random cushioned shapes achieved at Powys Castle and Bramton Bryan. By comparison, ours will be in miniature and, given the huge age of their hedges; we still have a very long way to go to achieve a compact and dense appearance. 

One day.........sigh!!

Looking through 2 windows!

The secret steps.

Our Hartley Botanic

A few professional photos of our much loved greenhouse taken by Hugh Palmer http://www.hughpalmer.com who has been commissioned by Hartley Botanic themselves.  Chris Genever's beautifully precise brickwork was the main attraction!