Brickwall Cottage in April

Sue Martin's garden has evolved in a delightfully harmonious cottage style, its planting composed to fit with the natural rhythm of the seasons. 'Others describe my planting style as 'cottagey' or 'informal': I call it wild,' she says. Hers is a relaxed design approach, much of it improvised as various self-seeding plants appear, so it's not surprising to discover she is a musician, as quick-fingered on her 'cello as she is green-fingered in her garden. 'Now that I've retired, I can balance my love of music with caring for my garden,' she says. Sue has also been able to build up a collection of geums which, by mid-spring, are growing throughout her garden, both in dedicated areas, and combined in beds and borders euphorbias, tulips and irises.

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