Keeping cool

Steffie Shields reflects on the benefits and problems of water in our gardens.

Unprecedented, seemingly relentless rainfall in the first four months of 2024 proved record-breaking. Storm Henk greeted the New Year, triggering devastating flooding. The West Glen River flowing through Greatford in the south of this county inundated the low-lying, picturesque village leaving the high street awash and at least 29 homes and gardens flooded.

By the long overdue first warm, sunny Saturday in May, setting my sights on an NGS visit to Greatford Mill gardens, there was no sign of this unfortunate happening. After parking the car, heading towards my destination on foot, I realised the river tunnelled under the road, in an area where it once irrigated a thriving watercress industry.

Looking down upstream, all was reassuringly calm. A surprising ‘Monet-esque’ wooden bridge connecting two adjacent properties caught my eye. I paused to take in the sweeping lawns down to the water’s edge, a trio of well-placed, softly trailing, weeping willows and a sentinel hornbeam hedge in trim spring dress. Mulling over this view, freely available to all passersby, the memory of dappled waters and lush greens remains charmingly vivid.

Apart from some drifting seaweed-like fronds of algae, the river appeared crystal clear, with no apparent signs of water quality problems lately highlighted by concerned environmentalists in the national press. However, according to the Environment Agency’s online records, it seems most stretches of the West Glen suffer from pollution except where it runs through the extensive ancient Grimsthorpe Park domain.

Grimsthorpe gardens tour
As it happened, Lincolnshire Gardens Trust members recently visited Grimsthorpe gardens for a tour with head gardener Jim Handley. Having walked the grounds with him last year, I made my apologies and discreetly withdrew from the group on reaching the ‘Topiary Squares’, terminating Stephen Switzer’s unaltered, early 18th-century south lawns.

An antique stone bench looked too inviting in the heat. A small fountain in the middle of an oval lily pond played soothing splashing notes. My chosen perch proved peaceful, therapeutic, and the sense of place and history, as always, thought-provoking. Who else had walked these paths over the ages?

Checking the story of the gardens on returning home, Grimsthorpe’s square pair of garden rooms were introduced probably around the turn of the 20th century, enclosed by manicured evergreen yew ‘walls’, and topped off with rounded shapes and birds such as ‘feathered’ pheasants. Hand-crafted with shears, and patiently conserved through hard work by generations of gardeners, this famous topiary has been called living architecture, but to my mind is organic sculpture.

Historic England’s Grade I listing description has each interior crossed by laid stone paths leading to a central bust on a plinth surrounded by formal beds of roses. My old Kodak slides suggest otherwise. I discovered that I first explored the gardens in June 1994! By then the rose beds had been replaced by manicured lawns and, instead of busts, the paths led to ornamental mirror ponds, each rippled by a central low fountain jet, and edged in pristine, freshly carved stone, presumably Ancaster. Encircling narrow flowerbeds were in the process of being planted up with young lavender plants at regular intervals.

Forty years on, no sign of those fragrant, hazy blue collars. Noticing one fountain gushing somewhat greenish water, I empathised with those responsible for maintaining such vast acres of gardens, including issues caused by aging water features. The good news, both pools are now set off by cool, contemporary artistry. Select bulbs and plants soften their aging stone edges with dots of colour or seedhead – royal-blue Dutch iris giving way to budding opium poppies and mixed alliums include very dark purple, Allium atropurpureum.

Later, corresponding with Jim, he confirmed how, for the last couple of years, he had quietly been bringing about change by developing mini meadows within the Topiary Squares. “We have found they hold much more interest with visitors than the previous formal lawns, have increased biodiversity within this area significantly, and [it] softens as well as enhances the formality of the topiary in a nice balanced way.” Thanks to this head gardener’s effective, subtle modifications, the tranquil ambiance remains timeless.

Water features
Be warned, should you be craving your own water feature, and surfing through a mountainous maze of suggestions online, many powered by eco-friendly solar pumps. Remember there are always issues with water, and algae build-up often exacerbated by heat and direct sunlight. Regular cleaning of fountains, and then thorough rinsing afterwards, is advised. Vinegar is safe and is effective on algae. If a deep clean is required, study commercial cleaners’ instructions carefully to prevent harm, whether to mechanisms or wildlife.

Our miniscule pond never had any major health problems until this summer. The surface is now covered with a duckweed blanket. A treat from my daughter last August, the mixed miniature waterlilies, Nymphea Pygmaea, are the likely culprits for introducing this menace. Continually raking these tiny threaded jade beads off, and failing miserably to get back to clear water, I remain hopeful. Ironically, waterlilies, with floating leaves, are supposed to reduce the level of duckweed!

Many will be heading off on spare days whether to the coast or towards restful waters in public parks or grand open gardens. Prominent ‘Beware Water Feature’ notices remind visitors that no water features, no matter how appealing, are safe – let alone healthy. Moving water attracts toddlers’ natural curiosity, oblivious to hidden dangers. Parents, please ensure that your offspring remain close at hand and not wandering towards the water’s edge.

Easton Walled Gardens
One of the best views in South Kesteven is where Easton Walled Gardens straddles the River Witham meandering towards Grantham. Last month, one of its riverside town parks celebrated a centenary milestone, with events organised by Wyndham Park Forum community volunteers. One hundred years ago, the Dowager Lady Leconfield opened this well-chosen site for the townspeople. She had donated £1,000 towards a public memorial park to perpetuate the memory of her son, Lt The Hon. William Reginald Wyndham of the 1st Regiment of Lifeguards, killed in action near Ypres on 6th November 1914, aged 38, and buried in Zillebeke churchyard. Long may this special commemorative WWI Memorial Park continue to flourish.

Both a boating pool and a paddling play area offer fun and refreshment on hot days. Sadly, however, where once there was a popular bathing area, award-winning community-minded Rivercare volunteers must wade in regularly to gather up bag-loads of litter and discarded rubbish. The river flows on through Queen Elizabeth II Park. Here too the river is closely monitored, especially as it attracts a wide variety of birdlife and the occasional otter.

Take care this month to entertain your children or grandchildren in their school holidays, and whatever the temperature – and/or your temper – be sure to keep your cool!

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