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This is Nadine's garden: a long narrow strip, north-facing and cool in winter but moist and pleasant in summer. The soil is fertile and foliage from neighbouring gardens softens the boundaries, creating a lush scene from the upper windows of the house.
I began working with Nadine on the garden in 2005 when it had become overgrown and unruly. With the exception of the patio area at the house, we never drew up a plan. Instead, we worked away at controlling the weeds and exposing paths and the former structure of the garden. Then, as we became increasingly bold, we thinned out the jungle of shrubs, pruning and then eliminating until there was a sufficiently clean slate to work from. Finally, Nadine went shopping for an arbour and then plants, a bird bath and then more plants until the garden felt furnished and decorated.
It has now filled out with a controlled voluptuousness this time. It is both productive and elegant with fruit and vegetables growing in raised beds and herbaceous borders forming the backdrop. Unusual and sometimes amusing additions (note the towering Cardiocrinums) now provide interest and entertainment for an evening's stroll around Nadine's policies.
This garden appeared in the Scotland on Sunday AtHome magazine 2nd November 2008.