Gardening to do list – plant 4000 bulbs!

As part of a continuing multi-million pound re-investment and restoration programme, gardeners at Compton Acres in Poole are working around the clock to tackle one of their biggest jobs of the year – planting more than 4,000 bulbs.

With over a third of the delivery destined for the historic attractions acclaimed Italian Garden, the gardening team are working under the direction of horticultural consultants Peter Thoday, former director of the Eden Project in Cornwall and Mary Payne MBE, the well known gardening broadcaster, lecturer and designer, to ensure the scheme delivers some spectacular displays in 2009. Mary Payne explains:

“From spring the Italian Garden will be a citrus mix of orange wallflowers and pansies, coupled with tall lemon tulips and purple tipped primrose and in Palm Court visitors will be able to enjoy the subtle pastel shades of Persian Wallflower. From the end of January The Wooded Valley will be filled with red, pink and white camellias alongside dwarf narcissus and the Heather Garden vibrant shades of purple and lilac.”

Following successful trials, the dramatic, eye-catching Japanese Iris is set to be a new addition in the Japanese Garden - currently ablaze with burning red acers.

On the hairpin bend leading away from the Japanese garden more alliums are being planted, these will blossom into spectacular round violet purple flowers on long stems which resemble fireworks frozen in mid-explosion.

Compton Acres owner, Bernard Merna, adds:

“We’re committed to ensuring the gardens have year-round horticultural highlights for our visitors and are now looking forward to some spectacular winter and early spring displays as well as the added interest of many new permanent plantings.”

For more information on Compton Acres, situated in Canford Cliffs in Poole, please visit www.comptonacres.co.uk  

Entry fee’s - adults £6.95, concessions £6.45, children, 5-15 years £3.95, under 4’s go free. Special rates for concessions and groups of 15 or more.