Gardener creates wildflower meadow

Marianne Clemence has spent more than a decade transforming the grounds of her home at Isherwood.

Earlier this month Coach Road Field, on Battle’s Beech Estate, was named one of 60 Coronation Meadows to mark the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

The meadow was selected to take part in the ambitious project to restore the UK’s threatened wildflower meadows.

But Marianne had already launched her own project, somewhat closer to home.

She said: “We moved to Battle in 1999 on completion of the building of this house.

“The whole garden was almost completely devoid of vegetation except for a turf lawn, laid by the builders at the front and a small section adjacent to the house at the rear.

“The section of the garden, which we refer to as the field, grew thistles and there was a considerable amount of bracken that we cleared over the following three years.

“In December of 1999, we planted native hedging on both side borders of the property to encourage birds and other wildlife, and began both planting and keeping the field clear to encourage wildflower growth.

“We took advice from Mr Mike Mullis who ran a small wildflower garden centre in Herstmonceux and later, in particular, bought orchid seeds with instructions to sow on a windless day.

“Windless days are few and far between in Battle but a risk was taken and rewarded some years later with 10 common orchids.

“The orchids (which have a mind of their own) have increased year on year and this year there are well over 200 standing erect amongst the oxeye daisies, birds foot trefoil, bugle, stichworth, hawkbit, red clover, germander, speedwell, common sorrel etc.

“In early spring, along with an early solitary purple orchid (which we hope will spread), the meadow boasts primroses, cowslips, lady smock and fritillaries.

“The meadow is predominately perennial and is cut in late summer and then kept short until late autumn.”