The Ark B&B and Garden

Frieda has created a florist’s cottage garden as a setting for her restored turn-of-the-century house dubbed "The Ark", situated in the old gold-mining town of Lawrence. Frieda’s favourites are cottage perennials such as the abundant phloxes, bergamots and penstemons. She workd with the contours of the garden, planting in whites through to pinks, lavenders and blues, with a touch of gold such as the bog primulas interplanted with deciduous azaleas and masses of delphiniums by the wee bridge which crosses the pond. A stick bridge and curved brick wall provide further structure and a pergola is engulfed in blue wisteria in spring.

Blossom trees include ‘Mt Fuji’ cherry, ‘Eddie’s Wonder’ dogwood, Magnolia stellata and viburnums. White daisy-like Anthemis cupaniana begin flowering in October and continue through to March, and rhododendrons start blooming in November. Peonies, summer perennials and a few roses follow, with catmint and Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis) making wonderful borders. Native ponga trunks edge damp areas that favour Solomon’s seal, hostas, Primula auricula, astilbes, phlox, filipendulas and astrantia. A huge weeping willow on the fenceline provides shade, other trees including eight maples, a walnut, beech, golden ash, four claret ashes, silver birches and a medlar tree. Frieda’s inseparable fox terrier, Holly, is an added attraction, and accommodation is available.

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