A Winning Combination

Fred and Bonny Bainbridge’s use of exciting plants and inspiring design has captured the attention of gardening judges on more than one occasion

- Susie White

JUST what makes an award winning garden? “I think it needs year round interest and to be inspirational,” says Fred Bainbridge. And Fred should know as he and his wife Bonny, have created gardens that have won the Beautiful Durham Awards on several occasions. “We try to do something different each year,” adds Bonny, “and show ideas that you could replicate.”

Beautifully maintained, with neat lawn edges, their garden boasts a dazzling collection of plants, many of them unusual. Sited on the edge of a small valley the land was once covered by barracks belonging to the Durham Light Infantry. “Foundations still pop up,” says Fred, “we’re always finding bits of tarmac and concrete.”