Organised by St Peter’s Church and Forest Church rector Adrian Datta, the event is held to bring the community outdoors to explore the rich and varied gardens around the parishes that are usually hidden behind hedges and walls.
‘It’s a fantastic community event, and everybody’s put so much work into their gardens to get them ready,’ said former Bailiff Sir Richard Collas, who was responsible for opening the event.
‘It’s raising money for great causes as well.’
Sponsored by Rocq Capital and Guernsey’s own garden centre conglomerate, Blue Diamond, Hidden Gardens raised money for multiple local causes, including Les Bourgs Hospice and the community programmes of St Peter’s and Forest churches.
‘It started about 15 years ago, and it’s still one of our only big fundraisers,’ said Rev. Datta.
One of the gardens opened up for the event was that of Stuart and Sally Hardie, whose carefully cared-for garden had undergone a significant transformation since it had become their own more than 30 years ago.
‘When we came here in 1994, there was nothing here,’ said Mrs Hardie.
‘There was one plant in the front garden – a rose – but in the back it was all just brambles, nettles and weeds.’
‘For me what’s amazing is how the garden has evolved. When we first moved here, we hired a garden designer to help plan everything out, but it’s been changing ever since then. Our garden is constantly evolving.’
The Hardies noted that the weekend’s visitors had seemed to most admire that their garden was split across multiple levels, separating it into distinct spaces – something that is one of their favourite aspects of their garden as well.
‘I love that it’s full of little usable areas,’ said Mrs Hardie.
The couple recalled that when they had initially moved into the property, they could barely tell that the garden had as much variation in elevation as it did, as it was so overgrown with weeds. Since transforming it, though, they have filled the area with plants and flowers – all hand-tended by Mr Hardie – and have managed to grow an impressive wisteria plant in their front garden.
In preparation for Hidden Gardens, they also hired a gardener to help them perfect the space, but have otherwise cared for their garden largely independently.
‘Every garden has its own character,’ said Sir Richard.
‘That’s what’s so amazing about an occasion like this – you can go and see every garden and they’ll all feel a bit different.’
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