East Ruston Old Vicarage
Entrance Court & North Garden
The vehicular entrance to the Old Vicarage
contains our interpretation of a municipal
roundabout. This has at its centre a clipped
lollipop of Robinia pseudoacacia‘Umbraculifera’. This is surrounded by
eight clipped Ilex ‘Golden King’ and these
are encircled by a hedge of variegated box.
This arrangement looks comely at every
season, pared down in winter, and
extravagantly bedded in summer.
Moving on, we pass through a blue gate,
its supports ornamented with gilded spheres
and find ourselves in the pedestrian
entrance court. The gate here we refer to as
the ‘Postman’s Gate’ because he or she is the
only person to use it. Above this gate is a
large terracotta coat of arms of the City of
Manchester. We bought this many years ago,
not because either of us has any connection
with Manchester, but for the motto
Consilio et Labore. By counsel and labour,
roughly interpreted by discussion and damn
hard work. Not a bad motto for two jobbing
gardeners. This area has very gravelly soil and is
free draining. Each year we bed this out with a
variety of succulents, Aeonium arboreum
‘Zwartkop’ taking centre stage.
Turning to face the front door of the
house we proceed through a gate in the wall
to the North Garden. This area is a complete
contrast to the entrance court which is hot and
dry. Here we enter a green jungle containing
palm trees, tree ferns and two particularly good
magnolias. Magnolia cylindrica with large white
flowers in April, followed by large red seed
capsules in September and October and
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ with huge pink
flowers 20cms (8inches) across in April which
are breathtaking when seen against an
azure sky.
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