The Garden Community for Garden Lovers

Magic Kingdom. (Dingly Dell)

14 comments


Just found this great website and already had help with a question.
Lived here in Scotland two and a half years and the garden here was very overgrown at first. Limited with what I do because of ill health I have lots of ideas and plans. Hopefully my husband will do the jobs I am unable to.
We had an area in the garden totally overgrown. Amongst the trees (Mountain ash, Holly etc) the undergrowth was thick with lots of old bushes and plenty of Brier. Totally impenetrable.
Our grandson has Cerebral Palsy and can only walk with the aid of a walking frame so I decided we should turn this area into a magic kingdom for him. He is nearly three and the area (named the Dingly Dell) can evolve as he grows. Hopefully it will interest the nature and wildlife into our garden too.
He visited for the first time last weekend and loved the little windy path. His face lit up when he discovered the bright red letter box where he can post his own letters and pictures. Over twenty makaton sign cards were posted in no time!
Hopefully we can plant more ferns and woodland plants (ideas please) and create a peaceful but fun place. It’s a very different area to the rest of our garden but feel it is now every bit as important as the flower area and the veg plot which is now getting raised beds.

More blog posts by hannahbanana

Next post: New Zealand Flatworm.



Comments

 

Hi hannahbanana, I love what you are doing to your garden, your grandson must love it. I would think near the post box you have room for Cowslips and English Bluebells and perhaps a Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose), also to encourage Hedgehogs you could build a shelter?

22 Aug, 2012

 

Thank you for your ideas. Yes, I love Helleborus and have some out of sight of the photos. Cowslip would be good in the dappled light. I can't have English bluebells as when we moved in our whole garden was covered in thousands of Spanish Bluebells which my husband has spent hours trying to dig up in case they caused problems with our native bluebells in a nearby wood. It may take a few years before we are truly free of them then we can hopefully replace with our native bluebells.
Part of the Dingly Dell is quite dry under the trees but one area is quite damp so should give scope for quite a few plants. Yes... a hedgehog shelter would be a great idea.

22 Aug, 2012

 

Welcome Hannah!Love your post box......

22 Aug, 2012

 

Welcome from me too Hannah....your garden is gorgeous and it's great that your grandson has enjoyed what you have done so far. Drc's suggestions are great - I do hope you take some ideas from this.
Love your little 'light' post box....working for RM - I have certainly emptied quite a few of these in my time :)

22 Aug, 2012

 

Welcome to Goy Hannah, Your Dingly Dell is lovely and I`m sure will bring lots of enjoyment to your grandson as well as yourself...

22 Aug, 2012

 

Welcome from me too,Hannah..love what you have done for your Grandson,and you have made lots of progress in your garden..and you seem to have lots of plans for the future ..:o)

22 Aug, 2012

 

Welcome to you, Hannah. What you have done looks great so far. If you like hellebores GW has a good offer this month - worth a look. Dodecatheons and tiarellas do well in shade and are very pretty too!

22 Aug, 2012

 

It's a magical place. I'm sure your grandson will love it :o)

22 Aug, 2012

 

Your grandson may enjoy a small pond with a fountain and some fish if OH can spare time this winter to dig a hole for the plastic liner. Will need a metal frame cover for safety.

23 Aug, 2012

 

Wood anemones would make a good addition to your Dell too, and perhaps some foxgloves which would self seed ever after. And how about some small daffodils such as the native one the Tenby daffodil?
For some different foliage and red berries in autumn try Arum italicum maculata (But only if the child can be trusted not to eat the berries!) Ferns would be lovely too, how about an Athyrium felis-femina, the Lady Fern, or the harstongue fern if the soil is moist?

23 Aug, 2012

 

I loved your blog Hanna, your idea of making a special place for your grandson is wonderful! I would suggest columbine and corydalyis, they are woodland plants with pretty lacy foliage as well as beautiful flowers:)

24 Aug, 2012

 

Welcome to Goy what a lovely garden and blog:)

24 Aug, 2012

 

What a lovely idea Hannah :) I hope your grandson really enjoys spending time there, and posting his letters!

24 Aug, 2012

 

Thank you everyone for all your comments and ideas.
I am pleased with the Dingly Dell so far as it is early days. Over this next winter I will decide which plants to add next spring. By then I will know which plants already suit their conditions. The ferns have done well but the hostas are spoilt by slug and snail damage. I intend to add a small water feature (thank you Dianebully for that idea) perhaps a solar one would fit the bill.

9 Sep, 2012

Add a comment

Recent posts by hannahbanana

Members who like this blog

  • Gardening with friends since
    9 Aug, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    10 Sep, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    8 Apr, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    29 Jan, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    27 Jul, 2012

  • Gardening with friends since
    9 May, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    22 Oct, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    31 Oct, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    16 Jul, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    2 Nov, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    4 Jul, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    27 Oct, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    26 Sep, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    24 Jul, 2012

  • Gardening with friends since
    7 Jun, 2012

  • Gardening with friends since
    14 Jun, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    17 Apr, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    2 Jan, 2012