Garden Visit

Susie Ripley's Garden

It’s easy to find Susie’s house. There is a garden on the verge where for everyone else along the street there is lawn. It all hints at what is behind the fence, a truly magical garden, with minimal lawn, that I feel very privileged to have visited over the weekend. I have know Susie a few years now and I know how hard she works in her garden. I also know that every plant and every inch of soil has been carefully thought about. Her gardening knowledge is extensive and I am forever grateful she shares her little wise snippets with me. I will eventually become a better gardener with her guidance.

The visit was surrounded with gossip and chat, like all good garden visits should have and then there was silence as she sat while I took photos, the light of the evening quietly softening after a beautiful sunny day. Her design is created on rooms that capture the sun at different parts of the day. One, where Susie sits as I photograph, is a secret corner under trees to provide shade in the summer days to come. There are also woven structures along with her poppy iron stakes around the garden, together they create very subtly unified structure to the garden. They are there but you don’t notice them. Added to this are garden paths made of silver stones that flow like rivers around garden islands beds, at times providing contrast to what is flowering beside it, other times a quiet background which allows the flowers to shine.

As I walk around a breeze makes the flower bed islands flutter. Flower heads move like waves on the sea, adding to the serene atmosphere. What can I say about these flower beds? They are full. A lush mix of perennials and annuals with the odd rose here and there. The dahlias will come later in the season. Everything is woven, creating a tapestry look that is clean, thanks to Susie’s clever planting. The main reason for this is the smart colour scheme that Susie uses. If you ever visit her Instagram or her seed shop you will know of her expert eye when it comes to colour. Masses of soft subtle pastels peaches and lemons are contrasted against a sudden emergence of a deep crimson poppy. Wind is also a factor here as it swoops into the garden after rising over a neighbours house. This means her plantings have to survive the wind, as a result her plantings are smart.

There is also movement from the many bees that call this garden home. I love that when you build a garden likes this with so many flowers it naturally fills with wildlife. I learn of new bee friend plants that I wish to add to my own garden after observing bees feasting on flowering bistorta. When I looked back at my photos I could remember all the things I missed in capturing as there was so much to see. I found it such a special experience to be walking in a garden that is just garden. To stand and be surrounded by flowers is such a centering experience. What Susie has created here is nothing short of a work of art.

PLANT SALE : -

Do you want a little bit of Susie in your garden? You can purchase seeds for her curated collections here but the best bit of new is she is having a plant sale. Details as follows: