The vibrant world of the chateau is buzzing with life and anticipation. With a wedding weekend on the horizon, the focus is on the stunning Walled Garden, a verdant paradise bursting with color and promise. The weather forecast, a daily obsession, looks promising for the celebrations, though the hosts admit they’ll be ready to put their feet up by Sunday after the emotional farewells. For now, the joyful sounds of Arthur and Dorothy playing provide a lively soundtrack to a tour of the grounds.
The garden tour begins in the herb area, a prolific and fragrant corner. The mint is described as completely prolific, used both in wedding bouquets for its incredible scent and for making mint tea. Rosemary bushes are massive, and the practical tip is shared that breaking off a piece and sticking it in the ground can grow a new plant. Sage is also thriving, noted as being particularly lovely with monkfish. Every plant here has a purpose, from culinary uses to decorative touches for upcoming events.
A particularly special feature is the Bay Tree, a plant with deep family significance. It was given as a gift from Glenda to dad, then to Bunny, and finally to the chateau. The tree faced a crisis when something mysterious entered the Walled Garden and ate it, a heartbreaking event as it’s a cherished family tree. However, it has made a spectacular comeback, now bursting with growth and The Gorgeous Flowers, and remains a key element in recipes like a white aromatic onion and garlic soup. Its resilience is a point of pride.
Moving through the productive beds, the strawberry plants are a highlight, noted for their incredible resilience. From just a dozen original plants, they have multiplied into many beds, offering a bountiful harvest. The hosts also point out their investment in specifically scented roses, a deliberate choice for the garden’s sensory experience. Nearby, a thriving horse radish plant is shown, with advice to contain it in something like a rubbish bin full of compost to control its weedy nature while enjoying the strong, homegrown root.
The tour passes the sunflower bed, planted with seeds that carry a poignant story. They originated from Sarah and Richard’s grandfather, and with Sarah’s wedding at the chateau next month, the hope is for a beautiful bloom as a homage to him. The garden is also alive with pollinators; white tail bumblebees are busy at work, and a magnificent hawker dragonfly is spotted, a beneficial predator that helps control mosquitoes and midges. The ecosystem here is carefully nurtured, complete with a pond housing fish named Uni, a one-finned specimen that has grown considerably.
The charm of the Walled Garden is enhanced by its microclimate, protected from wind by a perimeter of large trees that create a calm, warm haven. This allows everything from rainbow corn to perennial sweet peas to flourish. As the walk concludes, the view extends to the chateau itself, where recent work on the exterior has made a phenomenal difference. With final preparations underway for the wedding, the atmosphere is one of busy contentment, showcasing a home and garden lovingly cultivated for family, guests, and countless memories in the making.
