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In a hidden valley tucked into an unspoiled corner of England lies a naturalist's garden that was developed from scratch by award-winning gardener and author Susie White, with the help of her husband and friends. This is the story of how they created a remarkable oasis, a place as alive as it is beautiful.
Susie's vision and passion unfold as she transforms a patch of untended ground into a wildlife-friendly haven planted with flowering perennials, trees, herbs, vegetables, and a wildflower meadow. The spaces teem with life: owls and blackbirds, bats and mice, butterflies and bees, all drawn by pollen-rich flowers, ponds, and nesting sites. Susie takes us through the planning and construction, and how she designed the garden to blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment.
From the plantings to the structures that provide shelter and habitat, every element reflects Susie's commitment to sustainability. Her account is filled with inspiration and practical advice for gardeners to learn from, as well as her deep appreciation for the natural world and the transformative power of building an outdoor sanctuary for all species to thrive in and enjoy.
List of contents
A garden in the valley; The valley landscape; Starting with the soil; Anchored wildness: the garden’s design; Constructing the layout; Water: the burn and the river; Using stone: inspiration from landscape; Stone: softening stonework with planting; Wood: a ready harvest; Learning from landscape: Creating habitat layers in the garden; Meadow; Wildflowers in borders; The garden’s wildlife: insects; The garden’s wildlife: birds; The garden’s wildlife: mammals; The greenhouse; Looking after the Vegetable Garden; Looking after the Flower Garden; Celebrating place; Future gardeners
About the author
Susie White is a gardening and travel writer, broadcaster, wildlife photographer and lecturer. A lifelong and passionate gardener, she developed the garden at Chesters Walled Garden on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Since then she has created a garden from scratch in a hidden valley on previously uncultivated land. Beyond the garden, Susie’s interests include the environment, conservation, wildlife, upland hay meadows, archaeology, heritage skills and the landscape and walks of the North Pennines, Northumberland, and the Lake District. She is a regular contributor to the Guardian, BBC Countryfile, The English Garden, Homes and Gardens, and is garden columnist for My Weekly magazine. A member of the Garden Media Guild, and RHS speaker, she is the author of Gardens of Northumberland and the Borders.
