Thriving 'tropical' garden in Devon features bananas, ginger, and typical English countryside plants coexisting harmoniously
A New Leaf at Ash Park: Creating a Semi-Tropical Haven in Devon
Nestled in the picturesque village of East Prawle, Devon, Ash Park has undergone a remarkable transformation under the care of its current owners, Chris and Mr. Vanderspar. Once a garden overgrown with brambles, the space has been meticulously reimagined, revealing hidden architectural features and embracing the natural beauty of the region.
Mr. Vanderspar, a retired principal cellist at the Royal Opera House, has taken a hands-on approach to the garden's design, shaping trees to complement the architectural feel and cutting a path through camellias to create a sense of exploration. His efforts have resulted in a stunning garden that showcases a variety of plants from around the world, including gingers, cannas, cordylines, bananas, monkey puzzles, cacti, camellias, and a grove of bamboos.
The couple at Ash Park have adopted a laissez-faire attitude towards self-seeders, wanderers, and clumps that need dividing, allowing the garden to evolve organically. This approach has led to the discovery of an additional smaller pond on the property. The pond, which required a major repair and now attracts dragonflies and ducks, adds to the garden's charm and diversity.
Chris Vanderspar, along with gardener Mark Cater, continues to extend the garden up the rocky outcrop, creating vertiginous, narrow winding paths to reach new areas. The addition of agaves, echiums, aeoniums, and other succulents to the cacti collection in gravel beds further enhances the garden's unique character.
When it comes to creating a windbreak in a semi-tropical garden like Ash Park, careful selection of plants is crucial. Fast-growing, resilient species like bamboo, pines, Leylandii, griselinia, pittosporum, laurel, oleaster, spotted laurel, silver-leafed Elaeagnus ebbingei, euonymus, and native or climate-adapted plants are ideal. Temporary windbreaks, microclimates, and mulching can also be employed to protect delicate plants and enhance the garden's overall resilience.
Ash Park, a holiday home turned permanent residence for the Vanderspars, boasts a rich history. The original house, built in the Edwardian era, burnt down in the early 1980s and was rebuilt, retaining some of its original characteristics. The garden, which was much enjoyed by the families who lived there in the 1930s, continues to be a source of joy for visitors today.
In May, Ash Park will open its doors to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme. For more information, visit www.ngs.org.uk. The garden's transformation serves as a testament to the power of nurturing and patience, turning a once overgrown space into a haven for plants and visitors alike.
[1] Source: The RHS Guide to Planting a Windbreak (Royal Horticultural Society, 2018) [2] Source: The RHS Guide to Propagating Plants (Royal Horticultural Society, 2016)
- The semi-tropical garden at Ash Park, lovingly transformed by its owners, offers a unique home-and-garden lifestyle experience, blending the beauty of the region with an array of plants from around the world such as gingers, cannas, cordylines, bananas, monkey puzzles, cacti, camellias, bamboos, and more.
- For those with a passion for gardening and home-and-garden design, Ash Park offers a wealth of inspiration, demonstrating how careful plant selection, organic evolution, and microclimate management can create a stunning lifestyle sanctuary in the picturesque landscape of Devon.
