Inarticulate Middle-Aged Individual at Evenley Wood Garden: "Unschooled in floral knowledge, I was clueless compared to a daisy. However, my stubbornness prevailed despite my age."
Evergreen Sylvan Sanctuary: A Tribute to Timmy Whiteley and Evenley Wood Garden
Stepping into Evenley Wood Garden is like stepping into a fairytale, where the whimsy of an old English wood meets the beauty of a meticulously cultivated garden. Situated in Northamptonshire, this 60-acre paradise is a testament to the passion and vision of its creator, the man known as Timmy Whiteley.
Whiteley, a local plantsman with an insatiable curiosity and boundless energy, discovered Evenley Wood in the late 1970s. An initial encounter with the abundant Rhododendron ponticum growing beside the rides piqued his interest, revealing the presence of a seam of acid soil nestled in typically alkaline Northamptonshire clay. This intriguing soil variation offered an opportunity for Whiteley to cultivate an extensive array of trees, shrubs, and bulbous plants — a chance he seized when the land became available in 1980.
Whiteley was more than a gardener; he was a plant enthusiast, a tree whisperer, and a lover of the natural world. His interests ranged from oaks and magnolias to maples, euonymus, and erysimums — to name but a few. He also had a keen affection for bulbous plants, notably snowdrops and lilies, which he nurtured and cultivated with great care.
Whiteley was not one to shy away from the spotlight. He delighted in sharing his garden with visitors, imbuing them with his enthusiasm and showcasing his collection that, by some accounts, included over 45 species of lily. He was invited to join the Royal Horticultural Society council in 1986, and his contributions to the Lily Group earned him the distinction of being one of the few gardeners to have named a lily after the then Queen Mother.
Traveling widely with the International Dendrology Society, Whiteley continued to expand his collection of trees and shrubs — often bringing back treasures from his journeys, such as the acorns he collected during a trip to Philippe de Spoelberch's arboretum at Wespelaar in Belgium. From those acorns, he cultivated the now-famous Quercus rubra 'Evenley Gold', a stunning oak that retains its golden hue through August before transforming into a magnificent autumn red.
Upon Whiteley’s passing in 2017, the future of Evenley Wood Garden hung in the balance. His daughter, Nicola Taylor, inherited the land but was in the unfamiliar territory of gardening. Although initially overwhelmed, she soon recognized that Evenley Wood was her father's dream and his legacy. With courage and determination, she took on the challenge of preserving and nurturing the garden he had created.
Taylor enlisted the help of Rob Jacobs, head gardener at Waterperry Gardens, to guide her in her gardening endeavors. Together, they welcomed Dan Winter, a trainee at Waterperry, as the head gardener of Evenley Wood. This trio, along with 20 volunteers, has worked tirelessly to maintain the vibrant garden that Whiteley envisioned.
Evenley Wood Garden opened to the public in 2020, inviting garden enthusiasts to wander through its verdant paths and revel in blooming wildflowers, towering trees, and charming woodland glades. A program of maintenance has ensured the continued growth and health of Whiteley's collection, and careful observation has revealed the many bulbous plants he had lovingly tended on the rides and in the glades.
In an ode to her father, Taylor has continued to expand the garden, planting countless bulbs to bolster the existing collections and cultivating new trees and shrubs. Whiteley's legacy endures, as do his enduring love for horticulture and his dream of creating a garden that would bring joy to generations to come.
For those who seek a taste of the enchanting and ever-evolving magic that is Evenley Wood Garden, visit their website at www.evenleywoodgarden.co.uk and follow their journey on social media.
This edition marks a tribute to the remarkable work of Tiffany Daneff, a renowned garden writer, editor, and horticulturalist. Daneff's passion for illustrating, documenting, and preserving the artistry of gardening continues to inspire and educate us all.
Engaging with Evenley Wood Garden showcases a blend of garden design and lifestyle, tied closely to the home-and-garden ethos promoted by Timmy Whiteley.Whiteley's gardening practices not only transformed Evenley Wood into a horticultural paradise but also significantly contributed to the home-and-garden industry, leaving behind a legacy inspiring future gardeners.
