Cock Pit restoration project.
Two months into Ivor’s (HBGBS trainee) project to restore the “Cock pit” and we are fast approaching completion.
The first phase was to research the history of the “Pit” which started life as a quarry. This led us to the RHS journal and the April 1937 edition. In it George Johnstone took the reader on a tour of the garden. Writing about the key plants etc. The tour took a lengthy stop in the “Pit”. It describes the terracing of the banks some new trees Acer nikoense and Magnolia sprengeri. 70 plus years later these specimens are now mature trees and cast a dappled shade over the area.
Also planted in 1906 were 6 Dicksonia antarctica. These are the inspiration behind the present ‘Fernery’ style planting.
The second phase, now complete, was to re-build all of the terracing, re-creating planting bays either side of the quarry.
While doing the work Ivor will achieve NOS units which is replacing NVQ’s.
Planting is the third phase. Ivor will plant some unusual varieties including Podophyllum hexandrum var. chinense grown for its leaves, flowers and fruit, Tricyrtis hirta common name “Toad Lily” and of course different species of fern.
Come next spring it will be stunning.
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