Rising to the occasion

Of all the reasons for making a garden, providing a space for entertaining people probably generates the most anxiety. When we moved to our present house 16 years ago, the relatively large size of garden, and its adjacent Christmas tree plantation, inevitably turned my thoughts to how best to make it a suitable stage for summer parties. This influenced me when we laid out the paving and paths, and planted the hedges, trees, borders, orchard and small ‘meadow’. Although, of course, I wanted the garden for solace, physical and mental refreshment, creative expression and horticultural experiment, I always acknowledged that, just occasionally, it would have to brace up and act as a colourful backcloth to important family events.

A few weeks ago on the hottest day of the summer our only daughter was married in the church nearby. Afterwards, we held a reception in the garden. Its grand moment had arrived. It had to rise to the occasion; professional, as well as maternal, pride was involved.

I am profoundly relieved to say that, mainly, it did. The apron of paving, backed by a curving yew hedge at the top of the steps which lead up from the central lawn, turned out to be an ideal platform for the silver band, who played while we drank champagne after the service. There were trees enough for shade on a blistering hot day. The walk through the grassy ‘meadow’ to reach the dinner marquee, which had been erected in the field where once the Christmas trees grew, was pleasant on a warm, still evening, with the air ruffled by butterflies. And I think that there was sufficient drama and surprise in the garden’s layout, as well as scent and colour from the flowers, to satisfy the guests — gardeners or not.