Vicky Ward and Maxine Stringer share their journey of transforming a challenging garden site in Cornwall into an award-winning retreat. They discuss the unique features of their garden, overcoming physical challenges, and the emotional experience of sharing their passion with a broader audience. The podcast highlights their creative approach, love for local plants, and the importance of adapting to nature's challenges.
Transforming challenging garden sites into award-winning retreats showcases creativity and local plant love.
The Lottie garden's diverse areas and sustainable features reflect Vicki and Maxine's unique gardening approach.
Deep dives
Vicki and Maxine's Winning Garden Journey
Vicki and Maxine transformed a bramble-choked allotment plot into an award-winning garden full of creativity and local plants. Their entry, initially doubted due to its unique style, stood out in the competition and resonated with visitors. Despite challenges, their garden won the People's Choice Award and showcased their unconventional and personal approach to gardening.
Distinctive Features and Design of the Lottie
The Lottie garden, accessible only by foot and with terraced levels, offers a diverse experience with distinctive areas like Sally's hut and the baccaro for relaxation and socializing. Featuring recycled items and local flora, the garden includes seating areas, dipping tanks for wildlife, and a Mediterranean space with a pizza oven. Each area reflects Vicki and Maxine's creativity and love for sustainable gardening.
Future Plans and Reflections on the Lottie
With a focus on enjoying and enhancing the garden, Vicki and Maxine plan to concentrate on planting and opening up new areas for tall perennials and prairie-style plants. As Vicki pursues a full-time gardening career inspired by the competition's success, the garden remains a shared space of joy and collaboration. Despite evolving life circumstances, the Lottie continues to be a place of creativity, enjoyment, and ongoing transformation.
What do you do when you don't have a garden at home but still want to create a relaxing retreat? For Vicky ward and Maxine Stringer the answer came when they discovered a Bramble choked allotment style plot right by the sea where they live in Cornwall over the past 10 years they've worked hard to clear the land and create a garden that expresses their creativity and love for local plants and found objects. In 2022 they felt the time was right to enter the BBC gardeners world magazine gardens of the year competition they were chosen as a finalist and went on to win the People's Choice award. Enter your garden in the 2024 Gardens of the Year Competition at: GardenersWorld.com/garden-competition