BOG GARDENS TO STIR YOUR BLOOD - EVINGTON GARDEN CLUB

After the lyrical presentation by Richard Adams and the fascinating history of Barnsdale given by Geoff Hamilton's son, Bog Gardens hardly seemed a subject to stir the blood. But how wrong can you be? There was a very good turnout of members plus many visitors to hear (and see) what Linda Smith had to say on this subject.

Linda took us step by step from creation to completion, and at the end we were left with something very different from a dirty pool with a muddy surround that is some people's idea of a bog garden. Linda was somewhat dismissive of the idea of a ‘natural' bog garden, which if left to itself would tend to be a waterlogged area supporting a rather dull uninteresting collection of plants.

Linda told us to remember that we are making a bog garden, not a pool. After hollowing out a pit 18 to 24 inches deep it should be lined with a layer of cheap polythene on top of which you put a layer of aggregates. The polythene then needs to be pierced. Cover the aggregates with soil, tidy the edges, sort out your water supply, and Bob's your uncle, you're in business. Alternatively you could get a contractor who could do the hard work for you, leaving you with the pleasure of planting it as you feel fit.

Linda well illustrated the wide range of plants that could be used. Some of the plants would prefer the very wet areas, whilst others will thrive in drier conditions. You are not restricted by the seasons as you can have plants ranging from Primulas in April to Astilbes later in the autumn. The whole bog garden can be set against plants such as Dogwoods in the rest of the garden.

The members and visitors were left with a clear picture of how to create a bog garden and of the benefits of having one.