Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2009 | Page 74

life

GARDENING

Beatrice’s
Garden Wows
the crowds
Princess Beatrice’s Garden at Carisbrooke

garden has been designed to be a visual feast

Castle, designed by BBC Gardener’s World

both from the ground and from above.

presenter Chris Beardshaw, was unveiled on
June 3 with an lavish reception arranged by

English Heritage commissioner Gilly Drummond

English Heritage. Work on the formal garden

planted a fig tree in a large pot – these will

started on March 9, and was made possible

grow either side of the path to the west

by a bequest from Mrs Dorothy Frazer whose

creating a tunnel of green. Planters and pots

nephew Stephen Frazier, with his wife Pamela,

have been utilised in many areas because of

attended the opening.

the need to preserve existing archaeology

The design is based on the Edwardian layout

beneath the beds, which was discovered during

of the Princess’s original privy garden and uses

excavations done before the garden’s creation.

plants that reflect the feel and spirit of the

A buffet lunch followed in a large marquee

period. At the centre is a fountain and the

and speeches were heard from Gilly Drummond,

colours of Princess Beatrice’s heraldic crest are

Stephen Frazier and Chris Beardshaw.

represented by planting in themed borders,

The new garden will be maintained and

using shapes from the windows of the adjacent

developed by Charlotte Lock, who has worked

chapel. Enclosed on all sides and nestling below

at Osborne House for over 20 years.

the medieval castle ramparts, the tranquil
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In a formal ceremony, Chris Beardshaw and