Most of the flowering plants in the Coy Pond area have been given by the current crop of volunteer gardeners, Friends of Coy Pond. Some 400 feet of the rockery’s length was shrouded by shrubs, overgrown and neither use of ornament. As these were cleared, a volunteer followed on behind with trays of suitable plants from his own rock garden. Since then, more than half a dozen areas of created gardens, similarly stocked by many volunteers from their own resources.
This has been supplemented by donations from local people. Often by plants needing to be ‘re-homed’ having outgrown their own garden. With a variety of planting areas around the pond, from deep shade to full sun, plus of course the rockery, we can always find ‘right place’ for any suitable donation.
We were made trustees of two rare Black Poplar saplings, following an application by a Friend to a local conservation charity. The head gardener found ‘right place’ in the water meadow opposite the rockery. The rarity of the trees made a ceremony essential, so that the Mayor of Poole did the honours for us. A fair crowd assembled, of the local good and great, plus Friends and supporters. Amongst these was Cristina Elliott who resolved to make her own tree donation.
This is of a young cherry tree, a sapling in a huge pot. A good root system but by no means pot-bound, it has already shown appreciation of its new home by bursting into leaf. The bright cherry blossom is one of the joyful sights of spring. So ‘right place’ had to be the Spring Garden. This garden was extended to accommodate the new tree, beyond the light shade of the birch trees, so that it could enjoy full sun. Added near the base of the tree were a few small azaleas. We had planted them originally by the Japanese bridge. But they objected to getting their feet wet in the periodic flooding of the water meadow, so the Spring Garden a better home. Some companion planting of ‘imported’ wild primrose has been put in, along with a clutch of foxglove seedlings, culled from the opposite side of the path. They were rescued from the deep shade of a conifer, and will now be able to thrive in open ground.
So our new cherry tree has been integrated into the spring community around Coy Pond. Our thanks go to Cristina for an attractive addition to Coy Pond.
