Method for restoration of borders for Hestercombe Gardens

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Method for restoration of borders for Hestercombe Gardens

1.    Accurate survey - measured drawing of border 1/8" = 1' 0" scale.

2.    Trace original plan (Xerox copies) exactly referring to originals at Hestercombe or clearer Xerox copies in Archives, preferably on A2 imperial squared tracing paper.

3.    Make a list in alphabetical order of all the plants named in the plan in their original names as indicated on the plan.

4.    Go through this list with the help of the RHS Dictionary (Cannington), plant catalogues old and new etc. and work out the present day names for these plants.

5.    Where Miss Jekyll is vague about the species or type used, refer back to her books (Cannington Library).

6.    Where nothing can be found out about the plant, or when it is totally unavailable or when it is an annual and therefore too heavy a labour except in very limited circumstances or any other problems referring to the plants, consult the experts at Cannington College of Horticulture, Mr. Cheek or Mr. Brookfield, for suggestions for substitutes checking that the habit, growth, flower colour form and flowering period are as close to the original as possible or at least tone in with the overall theme for the border and marry happily with adjacent plants.

7.    Decide on density of planting for each plant with the help of "Readers' Digest Encycolpaedia [as written] of Garden Plants and Flowers", "Ground Cover Plants", catalogues, etc. N.B. For wall plants it is preferable to count the number of suitable holes available on site or keep to the numbers suggested by Miss Jekyll.

8.    Overlay (1) over (2) and draw up new plant group outlines adjusted to new areas and where necessary to achieve total ground cover.

9.    Work out the numbers of each plant needed and pencil in on the plan using densities from (7) and areas from (8). There is a sheet drawn up in squares of various densities which can be used to work out numbers for each group by counting the squares adjusted to fit the shape. These plant numbers are invariably different from Miss Jekyll's plans particularly with reference to herbaceous material. It is preferable to be over generous with the numbers, if possible financially, as this allows for failures and produces quick ground cover which reduces the heavy labour factor of weeding.

10.    Go back to the plant list and enter up on the card index system all new plants giving their old name on the plan, numbers and which border they are to be found in, reasons for substitution, references to books and any other relevant information. Each plant is coded according to the initial of the generic name, e.g. - Campanula latifolia is coded C and given a number which is only relevant to its sequence in the restoration programme. All new plants added on new cards should be given a higher number in sequence.