Garden Visits: Torriano Community Garden

Detail of blue lacecap hydrangea in Torriano Community Garden

In these drought conditions, when it's much too hot to actually do any gardening, what a pleasure it is to visit other gardens. The other day a friend introduced me to a community garden just round the corner from me which I knew nothing about. What a gorgeous surprise.

The secluded Torriano Community Garden is made of individual raised beds set within a one acre area of a block-of-flats estate. It is a refreshing oasis of delight set within the confines of large brick buildings. Although not a huge area,  the inventive layout and planting means it seems much larger than it is so you never see very far but wonder what will be round the next corner and behind that large shrub or tall tree. 

    

                                                                               Inventive planting keeps you guessing in this garden

Tall plants and close planting  mean you can't see the boundaries and in places feel you are in true woodland. Clipped shrubs mean you get glimpses of treasures further on. Well placed seats mean people can sit and enjoy the environment with all its flowers, bees and wild life. 

The planting is inventive and includes some unusual trees and shrubs, low ground cover and a choice of plants that means the garden is of interest all year round and plenty of  various types of green foliage gives it a refreshing feeling. In some places you can almost feel you are walking in a patch of woodland. 

   

                         A green alley

               

Variations of greenery

                                                                                                                                                                    A A number of inventive features add a little humour and fun to the whole scheme but with serious intention:  for example, a tiny pond in a discarded bathroom basin,  a bright red bird box fixed to a tall tree and a number of olive oil tins for growing cuttings, hanging on the trunk of an old olive tree. 

Unusual bird bath/small pond 

              

Nest box in a tall tree

  

This meticulously maintained garden was the initiative of  two residents, with help from the Army, and begun in 2003. This year it was open for the National Gardens Open Scheme and the money donated to charity; a very generous gesture since it must be very hard physically and financially keeping this really special garden so well maintained for everybody to enjoy.