HOMES AND GARDENS

As summer approaches, Elly West explains why adding an easy-to-maintain blue spaces can transform our gardens into outdoor havens, for wildlife and for human enjoyment

Several years ago, not too long after I moved into my current house, some friends bought me a self-contained water feature for the garden. Towards the end of last year I noticed it had stopped working, but on a sunny day in spring I decided to try taking it apart and poking some wire in a tube to unblock it and get it going again. Happily it worked, so I’m now enjoying my garden even more with the relaxing sound of running water.

Water is a calming element to include in any garden, and it doesn’t have to be a lake set in rolling acres or even a large pond. A simple bubbling fountain water feature, or a pond in a half-barrel or glazed pot is fun to create and will add that little bit of extra interest without costing a fortune or involving too much groundwork or digging.

Deciding on the type of water feature that you want to include is like any other design consideration. Do you want it to be formal or informal, traditional or contemporary? Is there a particular material that you love or hate? What will fit in well with the rest of your garden and the existing materials? Will you want to keep ornamental fish, or will the emphasis be on wildlife, or on the sight and sound of the water itself? You may also need to consider safety if there are young children using the garden.

The next thing to think about is location, location, location. I would always recommend including some seating near to your water feature so that you can fully enjoy its relaxing and hypnotic qualities. It’s likely to become your favourite spot, where you can sit and watch for dragonflies and other wildlife, so an area that gets sun for at least part of the day may be important – and is vital if you are building a pond, which will need sunlight for pond plants to thrive.

It’s also best to avoid siting a pond too closely to trees and shrubs as it will drop leaves into the water and cause it to go stagnant. Small water features with built-in pumps will also run more smoothly if they don’t get clogged up with leaves and other plant debris. A pond for wildlife needs to be at least 60cm deep in the deepest part, so that it will stay cool in summer and avoid freezing solid in winter. It also needs at least one side to be shallow enough for frogs and other creatures to climb in and out. A sloping pebble ‘beach’ is ideal, and when you build your pond, include shallow shelves at the edges for plants.

It’s a good idea to include lots of plants in a wildlife pond, to

create a mini ecosystem that will (hopefully!) take care of itself and keep the water clear. A combination of deep-water plants such as lilies, combined with marginals such as rushes and water irises, will help to keep the water healthy and provide hiding places for wildlife, and sitting places for lily-pad-loving frogs!

If you don’t have the room, or inclination, for a pond then a bubbling pebble pool or stand-alone feature is a nice alternative that is decorative and provides a relaxing sound. You’ll need an electricity supply nearby, but most are very simple with a small pump that circulates water from a reservoir. This might already be built into the feature, and if not is easy to construct by digging a hole for a sump that will hold water along with your pump, then covering it with a grid with stones or pebbles on top. The water is then pumped up through a tube and out through a small spout, where it runs over your feature and back down into the reservoir. Keep your water feature topped up in summer so the pump doesn’t run dry –and keep it clean so that debris doesn’t cause it to clog.

Even simpler –and with no need for digging or electricity –is a pond in a container. Just about anything that holds a decent amount of water will do – it doesn’t have to rival Bristol Aquarium – and you’ll attract thirsty birds and perhaps even frogs and tadpoles if they can get in and out. Make sure your container is water tight. A half-barrel, a large glazed pot or a zinc trough make great mini-ponds; add a few plants, then sit back and wait for nature to move in.

For inspiration, visit Westbury Court Garden in Westbury-onSevern, a Dutch water garden dating back to the seventeenth century. At the time of writing, the gardens were open Wednesday to Sunday, with booking essential. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/westbury-court-garden to find out more. ■ • ellyswellies.co.uk; Instagram: @ellyswellies1

I used to be ambivalent about roses, I’m not sure why. Maybe it was the thorns, or perhaps because I thought they were difficult, or because I couldn’t quite shake off that old-fashioned image of shrub hybrid teas, planted in a row. Now, however, I can appreciate their many qualities. Today’s roses are both tough and stylish, and mix well with both contemporary and cottage-planting schemes, alongside perennials, ornamental grasses, or trained over a pergola or arch. There’s a reason why they regularly top the list of our favourite garden plants. Many will flower right through the summer, offering both colour and fragrance, followed by attractive hips that attract wildlife to your garden.

Roses need lots of nutrients, so do well on our Bristol clay soils. They will still benefit from digging in some well-rotted manure or compost when you’re planting a new rose, or around the base of the plant in spring or summer to give it a boost. I also dump the wood ash from my log burner around the base of my roses, as it gives them a feed of potassium.

The David Austin website (davidaustinroses.co.uk) is a great place to start if you’re not sure which one to buy. You can search by colour, type or situation, and it also lists thornless varieties.

Acharming Grade ll listed detached period property set within approximately 4½ acres of gardens and paddock, in a stunning location in St Catherine’s Valley surrounded by wonderful countryside with excellent views.

Orchard Farm is believed to have been originally built-in 16th century within the Tudor period, but has since been extended in the Georgian period and has evolved into a most attractive detached country property.

The present owners have resided in the house for approximately 37 years and at the time of purchasing it, fully refurbished the property throughout. It provides well proportioned rooms with a light and airy feel to it, but throughout there are some wonderful period features including 2 superb Inglenook fireplaces, exposed oak beams, wonder oak flooring and doors throughout.

The property does have potential to be extended further and around 2003, plans were drawn up for an extension to one side of the property which were never carried out. It should also be noted that immediately adjacent to the property is a stone built stable which may also provide potential as an annex.

The property is set in wonderful, landscaped gardens which have been lovingly laid out and cared for by the existing owners and gardener which includes many specimen trees including Indian bean, flowering cherry, liquid amber and silver birch. In addition, there is a paddock which is currently divided into 2 which is planted with fruit trees and has been used to graze sheep.

This is a very special property and to fully appreciate it a viewing is recommended by the sole agents Cobb Farr.

£800,000

A charming grade II listed detached family home of much character beautifully positioned in a sought after address in the heart of a picturesque village on Bath’s eastern fringes.

• Detached period family home of much charm and character • 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms • Level secluded gardens and sun terraces • Off street parking • Sought after village location

£395,000

A deceptively spacious and beautifully presented interior designed 2 bedroom period property with a pretty divorced 2 tier garden, 2 private parking spaces and a single garage, located on Bath’s sought after eastern fringes, close to excellent local amenities

• 2 double bedrooms • 2 tier garden • 2 private parking spaces • Single garage

Hantone Hill, Bathampton BA2 £675,000

A three bedroom detached home with far reaching views in a quiet, sought after residential area. Spacious dual aspect living room, dining room and study. Galleried landing, utility room, garage and parking with a rear garden backing onto fields. Energy Efficiency Rating: TBC

Upper East Hayes, Bath, BA1 £460,000

This modern family home is ideally located just a mile to the centre. Featuring a spacious entrance hall, shower / WC, an open plan living/dining room that flows nicely to the extended kitchen that opens out to a safe, fullyenclosed garden. Upstairs there are three bedrooms. Two double bedrooms and a single, and a family bathroom. Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Crescent Gardens, Bath BA1 £725,000

A fantastic opportunity to purchase a beautifully presented Edwardian property close to the city centre and Royal Victoria Park. Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a well-proportioned sitting room, spacious kitchen/ breakfast room, separate dining room, sun room as well as a utility room/workshop and lovely cottage style garden and four off-street parking spaces, this is the perfect family home. Energy Efficiency Rating: TBC

Park Avenue, Bath BA2 £450,000

This end of terrace Victorian property offers well-presented accommodation conveniently located near widcombe, Bear Flat and the city centre. Briefly consisting of: two bedrooms, a luxury bathroom, bayed living room, dining room with access to rear garden with patio area and fitted kitchen. Energy Efficiency Rating: TBC