Beds' floral facelift

THE gardens of the White House Hotel have been replanted and redesigned this winter and will be ready to show their new colours by the start of the season.

The project has been headed by assistant gardener James Cordingley, who has worked in the island with head gardener Brett Moore for just over four years.

'Some of the garden was a bit overgrown and a lot of the shrubs were reaching the end of their lives,' said James. 'We decided to replant with new ones. It isn't a massive change, but it just refreshes it a little bit.'

It had been at least 10 years since the gardens had a major overhaul, so a little facelift was due.

The large wall along the back of the gardens has been cleared and a lot of work has been put into tidying up the area.

'We have planted a lot of tropicals and perennials of different descriptions,' said James. 'The most important thing is that they will provide a lot more colour in the summer season.'

Once the work is complete, the hotel gardens will look much smarter. They will be maintained throughout the year and once they have blossomed, several plants may be moved around if they clash with their neighbours.

Long-time guests with an eye for these things will recognise the NCCPG Caparne irises, which for years have been to the left of the hotel entrance. These irises had been mostly taken over by yellow loosestrife. Now they have been meticulously removed and split and can be seen on full display in their new home by the large palm tree at the front of the hotel.

Some of the irises have also been potted to secure their future.

With help from outdoor workers Mark Latter and Darren Gwynne, things have gone quickly and three weeks into the project, much of the work is done. Everything will be ready in plenty of the time for the hotel's opening.

'Guests will hopefully notice much more colour,' said James, 'and it will make for a lovely place to sit and relax.'