Guernsey Press

Visitors enjoy first Floral Guernsey open garden of the year

GARDEN enthusiasts spent a Sunday afternoon exploring the grounds of a Guernsey farmhouse for the first Floral Guernsey open garden event of the year.

Published
Mark and Liz Downing opened their garden up to the public on Sunday, the first Floral Guernsey open garden event of the year. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 30969244)

Mark and Liz Downing opened the gates to the garden of their L’Islet home, as visitors made their way around the woodland walk, various seating areas, trees and flower beds.

Mrs Downing starting getting into gardening about 10 years ago when her children grew up.

She has collaborated on the project with her gardener, who told her that one day she could open it to the public.

‘I’ve been working with my amazing gardener Mark Seabrook on the garden, we do about eight hours a week together, and then I spend most of my time doing it as well,’ she said.

‘I’m obsessed with it, it’s my therapy and I just absolutely adore it.’

Money generated from the open garden event will be donated to the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association.

After losing several family members to the illness, Mrs Downing has been keen to support the charity as much as possible.

Sophie McPhee and Susan King were admiring what will grow to be a ‘Wisteria Walkway’ in the garden.

‘The garden is large but homely and really warm and friendly,’ said Ms King.

‘You wouldn’t even know that this was here, it really is a hidden gem. Even the grass is superb.’

Helena and Peter McGovern had not long been at the open garden event, but were in awe of how artistically the garden had been put together.

‘I think the garden is absolutely fantastic, it’s really is quite amazing,’ said Mrs McGovern.

‘There’s so many beautiful but more unusual trees and aspects to it as well, such as the use of clematis growing up the trees, I never would have thought of that.’

Mrs McGovern was also keen to support GAA. Her mother, who is an enthusiastic gardener, has Alzheimer’s and Mrs McGovern used to take her around open garden events. She said that she would be taking many photos of the garden to show her mum after the event.