Woodland walks in a secret garden
When I was young and living in Devon it rained often and the fields were very green. Okehampton was right next to Dartmoor and the clouds seemed to let go of their load frequently. No wonder, when I moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne a long time later I appreciated the clear blue skies in spite of the cold. I think the film of The Secret Garden might have been filmed near Dartmoor.
At Hengistbury Head Garden there is a developing woodland full of intrigue. The canopy of trees stays low due to the wind and salt from the sea. Nonetheless there are old apple trees and silver birch rubbing shoulders with the ever-expanding Alder. I like this tree and it has the added enchantment of having both male and female flowers and catkins. I remember reading that the Rialto Bridge in Venice is built using Alder wood; another romantic link.
Anemone blanda are so pretty with their daisy-like flower of blue or white. Sue S has sent in a photograph of one, which has decided to plant itself next to a path rather than where the gardener put it originally. Other woodland flowers include Fritillaries which don’t mind competing with the grass.
A Witch Hazel bush was planted in the woodland but it seemed to need more light. It has been moved near the Chamomile. Dorset did have a crop of Witch Hazel to supply its amazing juice for medicinal purposes. It smells lovely too. The name of this plant conjures thoughts of a walk in the woodland where flowers and trees delight the senses alongside glimpses of birds and wildlife.
It is no wonder that in times of stress my mind turns to a garden where I can walk among the colour, perfume and sound without thinking for a moment that I should be doing something else.