This garden has a local story behind it. Caldwell’s of Knutsford was one of the oldest nurseries in the North of England, it traded from the 1780s to 1991. It has an important history supplying some of the country’s finest gardens, including Tatton Park.
The Cheshire Gardens Trust has started a project to transcribe seventeen ledgers from Caldwell’s that survive today. They contain vast amounts of information on customers, changes in plant fashion, worker’s wages, methods of transport and prices. One of Caldwell’s first customers was John Wedgwood, who co-founded what is now known as the RHS.
The garden was designed by Jacquetta Menzies and made by volunteers from the Cheshire Gardens Trust and WAP & Son. The design is corner of a larger garden in a coastal setting, based on the golden ratio, a proportion found in nature. The golden ratio was often featured in gardens during the 18th Century when Caldwell’s Nursery was established.
The garden is inspired by King Canute, the nurseries logo. The spiral path represents the swirling sea of Canute’s legend, with the rectangular windbreak symbolising the work of Cheshire Garden’s Trust, which aims to capture the receding tide of history and memories.
Christine Wilcox-Baker designed the ethereal sculpture of the ancient king which presides over the garden. The sheltering figure contrasts with an open contemporary area. The planting on the enclosed bank is inspired by the Irish Sea coast. Delicate flowers and grasses in blues, whites and silvers provide a soft flowing movement in the centre.
A full plant list can be found on The Cheshire Gardens Trust website.
