Green Island is not an island at all; not in the sense of being surrounded by water anyway. It is confined by a triangle of roads, but it's not a traffic island either; these are minor country roads and the "island" is just one of the millions of little blank spaces on the road map of Britain.
In 1996 this twenty acre site (about 8 hectares) came up for sale and was bought by the garden designer, Fiona Edmond, and her husband. Up to this time Fiona had been running her garden design business, playing golf up to international level and raising two children - but all that came to an end when she contracted ME.
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The site was overgrown with brambles, young sycamores and fallen trees. Somehow clearing up the mess and designing the garden helped her overcome her debilitating condition. It's such a tranquil space that I can believe it would have a healing quality. Green Island Gardens is now open to the public and you can wander around with me if you like.
There are lots of places for children to play. (I've never understood why Garden Centres don't have swings and trampolines for sale - that's how a lot of gardens are used).
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It's high time that I just shut up and let the garden work its magic.
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Fancy a cup of tea and a slice of cake? Here's the tea room...
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A hidden fairy house!
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As you can undoubtedly see in the photo above it's been brutally hot (40C) and dry here recently and the woodlands in particular seem to have suffered. Some leaves have just turned brown and fallen, some have changed to autumn colours, and some have fallen while still green. Surprisingly this made a satisfying picture, along with the Sweet Chestnut catkins.
It somehow reminds me of an old jewellery box, with brooches and earrings all tangled up with strings of pearls.
(Green Island Gardens is only a short drive from the more famous Beth Chatto Garden, which we didn't visit this time, and the two are often combined for a splendid day out - or you could visit Copford Church, of course!).
What a magnificent and restorative space. thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have to confess that I was unfamiliar with the acronym ME and had to look it up. What a terrible, debilitating disease, hardly the thing to equip you to take on the challenge of restoring a woodland. A wonderful job has been done, however, and it's sad to see it stressed by the obscene heat the whole world seems to be suffering through. I absolutely concur that the last picture looks like a jewelry box with a tangle of items. I can picture Lily rooting through it!
ReplyDeleteHi John never heard of this place ur research is very good like your photos thanks for a peep .r John...
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post of a garden that seems to be weathering the dryness. Your eye for detail makes the colour of the flowers shine out.
ReplyDeletePhoto 6 is my favourite but they are all gorgeous. This garden was worth every minute and penny it took to do it. The jewelry at the end is priceless in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the peaceful garden stroll.
ReplyDeleteGood old crocosmia never lets you down does it.
ReplyDeleteIt is so beautiful there. Such a big lovely colorful garden of flowers. I love what you see in that last photo. Yes, it does look like a jewelry box!
ReplyDeleteReally lovely images John.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a little slice of heaven there.
ReplyDeleteYou always seem to find places of such beauty, John.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to have been little progress in the treatment of ME and I am amazed that someone suffering from the disease has managed to create this beautiful garden. It was a joy to walk around with you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful job had been done. The garden is worth a visit and the flowers are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWell done...the photos do speak volumes, especially the last one. I immediately thought you couldn't have seen it that way unless you'd looked in someone's jewelry chest at sometime! Mine has take the pearls out for another place (I hope I can remember where.)
ReplyDeleteA place of beauty, the garden is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful garden, especially one created by someone who suffers from such a debilitating desease. She must have a really strong spirit to have achieve it.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is terrific, John. What a lovely place and you have definitely captured that serene beauty to share with us! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely.
ReplyDeleteI sure many people will visit this garden.
ReplyDeleteHow completely beautiful and tranquil. What a gift to open it to the public.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a beautiful home and garden to visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking us along to that tranquil spot.
ReplyDeleteAll of that in 26 years. Amazing. I am sure a ton of money is buried in that ground, but what better way to use it? Such a beautiful place. We need to go there on our next visit.
ReplyDeleteThere was a garden there before, Sue, but it had been neglected for years. I presume they inherited some trees but not much more.
DeleteYou've made my day, John. I've been an avid gardener all my life and think this exquisite place is tops. So beautiful and serene! Thank you for sharing. From the base of the mini-mountain in Maine where it's so very hot today outdoors.
ReplyDeleteThose flowers did indeed speak for themselves, John.This was a beautiful tour of Green Island Gardens. The designer, Fiona Edmond, has created a lovely space and nice to read that it also helped improve her health.
ReplyDeleteHi John - what an amazing place to know about ... how gorgeous - thank you ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteTodas las flores se ven muy bellas en tu fotografía. Has hecho un excelente trabajo en tu reportaje.
ReplyDeleteQue tengas una buena semana.
This garden certainly worked its magic on me. Thank you for the beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteThe grounds are beautiful. I can see why children would love it, as well as adults. Wonderful photos. The shot of the daylilies captivated me!
ReplyDeleteThe garden certainly worked its magic, especially given the heat and lack of rain. Magnificent.
ReplyDeleteThe garden and your photography sure did work magic for me. How wonderful of the lady to do this . Love following your escapades but I've been busy lately and haven't been blogging for ages.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful gardens; thank you for showing them to me. I live in Cornwall and can no longer drive far, so a visit is beyond me. I am so pleased to learn that this spirited lady battled through ME and injury to make an extraordinary comeback in the golfing world. and has twice won the English Senior Womens' Championship in recent years.
ReplyDeleteAlways such beautiful and interesting photos!
ReplyDeleteI've stopped by many times since you posted these beautiful photos. I love how beautiful the gardens are there. It's been a while since you've posted, and I am hoping all is well for you. I look forward to your next post of all the beaurty you see there. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI am also hoping you are o.k. as it is a while since you posted.
ReplyDeleteI had a good time soaked in the garden magic you shared with us. During my summer break, I was wondering how British people felt uncomfortable who hadn’t been used to “brutal heat”. Now I hope no problem with you like other commenters. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYoko
A blogger mentioned today she was concerned that you haven't published in a while, I hope you are well. These photos of yours are stunning and show such a garden of sanctuary and even a tea room. What more does a person need? Be well.
ReplyDeleteHope you are well!
ReplyDeleteHi John, hope all is well as it has been quite awhile between postings, which seems so unlike you. Perhaps you will post an update soon.
ReplyDeleteMissing your beautiful photos and fascinating stories. I do hope everything is okay as it’s been a good while since you posted. Take care!
ReplyDeleteI am also hoping that all is ok with you. You took me along on some beautiful walks on days when I was unable toeave the house. I miss those walks 'together ' Please be ok.
ReplyDeleteHope you are okay.
ReplyDeleteI just realized it has been quite a while since you posted. Hope all is well. Miss your beautiful photos, John.
ReplyDeleteAnother fan of your lovely posts and photographs, hoping you will be back soon to take us on more walks. You really are missed, John - a lot.
ReplyDeleteYes another fan misses you and your lovely walks ,hope you are OK and back with us soon, so we can enjoy more walks together.
ReplyDeleteWe are all still missing you John and hoping all is well with you.
ReplyDeleteEvery night I think of you as I find no new post.
ReplyDeleteSure am missing your posts, Cousin. I hope all is well! Surely Les would have been in touch if something was amiss?
ReplyDeleteJohn, thanks for your comment, really helpful. And at least I know you're ok.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well. I miss your wonderful blog. Take care.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photoes.Specially thelittle hut in the wood.Gosh😊 thinking of spending some days there🏡Hope all is well 🤗
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