Diane Clayton-Smith, My garden (LE14)

Styles: English cottage

A small but perfectly formed courtyard garden with an abundance of plants, including fig, grape vine, hop, wisteria, jasmine, phoenix palm, lillies (tiger and water), umbrella papyrus, chilli, bell pepper, tomatoes (hanging and standard), rocket & salad leaves, culinary herbs, acer, apple, pear and hollyhock as well as summer bedding. Aligned east to west and so blessed by all-day sunshine, the garden is accessed through a wooden gate set in a brick wall and runs along the length of the cottage. Maximum use is made of every available inch - there is a shed, bicycles, the obligatory wheelie bin in the corner, a dog kennel and most importantly, a table and chairs where we sit on balmy evenings with a gin and tonic. Nothing quiet like watching the swallows flit about the garden and listening to the bubble & gurgle of the water feature at the end of a busy day...