This was my second project at Honey Cottage. The brief was to do something a bit more interesting and different with a large field at the front of the property that had once been an orchard. All that was left now were five old apple trees that were quietly seeing out their retirement so a mini arboretum seemed appropriate. The client also had an interest in all things Tolkien and Welsh, and wanted child-friendly elements for the grandchildren to enjoy hence the Hobbit house with wildflower turf roof, living willow tunnel and arbour, board walk over the pond and at least two dragons!
Planting-wise there is much to keep one amused including a wildflower meadow, a birch grove and a bog garden with large leaved Gunnera and other moisture loving plants. Specimen trees include the flowering cherry (Prunus avium 'Plena'), a Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and a weeping form of the Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) which has great autumn colour plus an intriguing burnt toffee scent as the autumn leaves break down.

Once again landscaping (and Hobbit house) by Terry Blackwell of www.Blackwellslandscapes.co.uk