~
Wildflower Path
The path at the lower end of Dover Place gardens provides a useful link to Jacobs Wells Road, Brandon Hill and, essentially, the Eldon House pub. Currently one of the least tended spaces, this area could easily be developed to provide a picturesque gateway into our communal garden, with arches of low-maintenance plants such as laurel & spring-flowering camellias. Bluebells, foxgloves & wild flowers would add colour from spring thru autumn, while flowering, climbing pants could adorn natural stone walls.
The Lawn
The lawn area provides the primary space for rest & relaxation. The space is much overshadowed at present but, with surroundings actively managed, could benefit from sunlight from early morning until late afternoon, allowing for full utilisation of this area. Improvement of the lawn will involve continuation of periodic weeding to remove nettles, ivy and perennial weeds. Additional seeding is necessary in some areas and would help improve quality.
The Secret Garden
Tucked away at the end of our communal garden, this is one of the least overlooked spaces. The area is already part-developed in the theme of a cottage garden and lends itself to this purpose. The proposed scheme could retain & develop this idea with additional planting, to create an intimate ‘secret garden’, filled with colours, scents & textures. (By way of example, there is a ‘secret garden’ at nearby Cornwallis Terrace, open to non-residents for a day each summer).
The Woodland Garden
A small wooded area to relax & reflect, this part of the garden is surrounded by tall trees. Reimagining the treescape would maintain this enclosure through planting of modestly-sized, indigenous species, serving both this and other parts of the garden. The planting scheme might be supported with woodland plants such as holly, ferns, bluebells & wild garlic to maintain a natural ambiance. A hedgehog house located in a quiet corner would help support one of our endangered native species. (This part of the garden is privatly owned and its integration into this proposal would be at the discretion of the owners).
Layered border
This space is currently populated with unkempt sycamores, with one or two poor specimens from other varieties, whose healthy development has been impeded by the dominant sycamores. An ambitious scheme would include for new planting, to provide a variated treescape around our garden. Lower growing varieties (Magnolia, Rowan, Paperbark Maple) would open up views and reduce overshadowing. Trees with open canopies (Birch, Mountain Pine) would allow dappled sunlight into the garden, permitting a lighter, brighter, more colourful space. Several large sycamores around the perimeter of the garden would remain, albeit inspection by an arboriculturist may be prudent, given their enormity
Communal vegetable beds
We’re among many who enjoy cultivation of our own fruit & vegetables and, with our resources here at Dover Place, there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be available to all residents seeking to make active use of the space. The soil condition varies across the garden, but we’re hopeful that, with some carefully selected mulches over a winter or two, the planting beds will provide an increasingly rich environment. (The garden area in front of No.2 is privatly owned and its use for vegetable beds would be at the discretion of the owners).
~
~
Dover Place Residents' Garden 
Hi,
We’re moving in a few weeks but wanted to wish everyone well for the communal garden. We’ve loved seeing the area tidied up and transformed in our time here and think this will be of huge benefit to people like us (who didn’t know the garden was shared and are would-be gardeners).We especially like the secret garden idea, where the bank would look beautiful covered in flowers, and improvements to the path area at the bottom of the garden. Good luck to all the residents of Dover Place on this great community venture 😊
PS. We participate in the annual birdwatch and have enjoyed seeing the blue tits from our window using the new nest boxes.
LikeLike