Journal
Thoughts from the potting shed, seasonal observations, planting journal, kitchen garden recipes, hints, tips, suggestions, discoveries and general ramblings from a Devon garden.
The Rondel – 8 years in the making
In 2006, on the occasion of Richard’s 40th birthday, we decided to celebrate this landmark (!) event by planting a Yew hedged Rondel above the row of mature Lime trees in the top field. We had already planted a Quercus Rubra in the centre of the field in 2004 and thought it would look even better encircled by Yew, forming a natural reading room in years to come. Two years later and the hedge was failing appallingly, we had failed to do our homework and had planted the Yew in the worst conditions possible. The Rondel looked dreadful,...
read moreIntroducing Bagshaw the Tibetan terrier
So, ahead of our featured article in Devon Life in June, I thought it would be good to introduce you to Bagshaw, our Tibetan Terrier. Bagshaw joined the family in December 2012, aged 9 weeks, from his home in Lincolnshire. He is the first dog we’ve had at Lewis Cottage and is a total delight and joyful addition to the Lewis Cottage family. He is very much Michael’s dog and spends much of his time in his company wherever Michael might be (and yes he does sleep on his bed!) Bagshaw loves nothing better than visiting our guests...
read moreArticle in RHS “The Garden” Feb 2014
We’re proud to have had an article accepted by the RHS “The Garden” magazine. This abridged version of Michael’s musings on “horticulture as healing” gives a brief insight on how gardening helped him overcome the effects of a stroke in 2012. The full article is to be published in an edition of Devon Life later in the year. (from RHS “The Garden” Feb 2014) Opening up the road to recovery Garden owner Michael Pell on the recuperative power of gardening After a wonderful Christmas in 2011, I did a...
read moreExtra Opening Dates for NGS in 2014
If you haven’t managed to find your way to Lewis Cottage on one of our NGS open days so far, you’ll be pleased to know that we have added extra dates to our 2014 openings Of course you can always visit as a group outside of these dates. Get in touch using the contacts page for details. Find out more...
read morePlanting of 1000 Camassia and Narcissi bulbs for 2014
Yes that’s 2000 bulbs in total, each planted by hand!! The Pheasant Eye Narcissi have been planted round the Rondel in a horseshoe style, and specially chosen for their late flowering, in May so that (hopefully) they will be in full bloom for the first gardening opening of 2014 on the 17th May. The Camassias have been planted in the top paddock above the Pink Horse Chestnut, in a space exactly the size of a cricket pitch. Why a cricket pitch? Absolutely no idea – it was pure chance that when we measured out the area after planting...
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