a Tankerton gravel garden
drought tolerant gardening by the sea
Janet & Phil arrived at their new 15 x 20 metre garden during Covid, with a vision of Palm Springs and the Mojave desert - Phil is a native Californian and a sun worshipper. With inspiration from Derek Jarman’s garden, the gravel garden at Beth Chatto, and the beach at Whitstable, Janet set about tackling the impenetrable clay soil, using plenty of grit and mycorrhizal fungi.
The planting is limited to those that are drought tolerant, and in May there is a small collection of Benton irises which really give a sense of the ‘boudoir’ with their frills and ruffles, and of course, their love the baking sun.
Season: Spring - May
Location: Tankerton - Kent