Vibrant garden in Devon featuring a unique blend of tropical plants like bananas and ginger, thriving alongside traditional English garden staples
Nestled three miles from the ferry to Salcombe, in the picturesque village of East Prawle, lies Ash Park – a charming property that has become the main home of the Vanderspar family. Eleven years ago, they purchased Ash Park as a holiday house, but its enchanting garden has since captivated them, transforming it into their permanent residence 1.
The garden at Ash Park is a testament to the Vanderspars' dedication and passion for horticulture, showcasing a diverse array of plants from around the world. From towering monkey puzzles and vibrant cannas to hardy succulents and a grove of bamboos, the garden is a vibrant tapestry of flora that thrives in Devon's relatively mild, semi-tropical climate 2.
However, the garden's success is not solely due to the variety of plants. The Vanderspars have carefully cultivated a windbreak to protect their garden from the strong, salt-laden winds that are common in the area. Established shelter trees, such as pines and leylandii, provide a strong foundation, while fast-growing hedging plants like griselinia, pittosporum, silver-leafed Elaeagnus ebbingei, and euonymus offer additional protection 3. Laurel, oleaster, and spotted laurel also find a home in this windbreak, with bamboo planted in front for further shelter, creating a layered protection that balances evergreen density and fast growth 3.
This combination has proven effective in creating sheltered, lush garden spaces, as demonstrated by Ash Park's transformation. Despite the exposure to harsh winds, the garden now boasts a lush, semi-tropical atmosphere 1.
The garden at Ash Park was not always in such pristine condition. Before the Vanderspars' arrival, it had become neglected, despite the efforts of Mark Cater, the gardener. The original house at Ash Park, built in the Edwardian era, burnt down in the early 1980s and was rebuilt, retaining some of its original characteristics 4.
The garden's rejuvenation began with the repair of the pond, which had been leaking and was covered in gunnera. Today, the pond attracts dragonflies and ducks, providing a serene focal point in the garden 5.
The garden's steeply sloping terrain presents its own challenges, but Mr. Vanderspar has met them head-on, extending the garden up the rocky outcrop and creating narrow winding paths to reach new areas 6.
Mrs Vanderspar, a self-proclaimed under-gardener, and Mr. Vanderspar, with his keen eye for shaping trees, work together to maintain and enhance the garden. They have a laissez-faire attitude towards self-seeders, wanderers, and clumps that need dividing, allowing the garden to evolve naturally 7.
Mark Cater, the gardener at Ash Park, plays a crucial role in the garden's success. With extensive knowledge of what plants will thrive in the area, he provides invaluable guidance to the Vanderspars 8.
For those interested in visiting Ash Park, it opens for the National Garden Scheme. To learn more about the National Garden Scheme, visit www.ngs.org.uk9.
Footnotes:
- The enchanting garden at Ash Park, once a holiday house, has now become the permanent residence of the Vanderspar family due to its captivating beauty, showcasing a diverse range of plants from around the world and creating a semi-tropical atmosphere despite the harsh winds.
- The diverse array of plants at Ash Park includes towering monkey puzzles, vibrant cannas, hardy succulents, and a grove of bamboos, thriving in Devon's relatively mild, semi-tropical climate, contributing to the garden's vibrant tapestry of flora.
