Town Garden With A Difference

A wildlife-friendly garden that’s full of contrasts, says Sue Bradley.

- Sue Bradley

The Garden behind Mary and Paul Morgan’s Edwardian house is a retreat within which the couple can switch off from the outside world, although it’s rare that they’re ever completely alone.

They’ve created a relaxing and private space just off the centre of the Wiltshire market town of devizes that’s friendly to wildlife too.

This means that insects feasting on the nectar in the garden’s flowers are constant companions, as are seed and bug-eating birds and amphibians, and dragonflies that are attracted to their small pond.

Paul and Mary moved to their home in 2001 and initially put their energies into adding a small extension to the back of the property. They also levelled the area immediately beyond it to create a patio using pavers and bricks, before setting about putting their stamp on the rest of the garden.

“We wanted to be able to make the most of this sunny area,” explains Mary,. “so we asked the chap who designed our extension to come up with a layout.” Mary’s planting scheme for the patio has a tropical feel, with a mix of hardy and tender plants with exotic-looking leaves, and flowering annuals and perennials, such as day lily, salvia and nasturtium, which surround the area with layers of vibrant colour.