Peniarth Isaf

Garden Gallery

When we came to Peniarth Isaf twenty five years ago we were determined to carry on the long tradition of organic gardening and to encourage wildlife as much as possible.

The garden is divided into two main areas. At the back of the house is the kitchen garden, of fruit, vegetables and herbs. There are also herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees. The land slopes towards the south and the soil drains and warms up quickly.

To the front of the house, the garden is entirely ornamental, with lawns, mixed borders of perennial flowers and a wildlife pond. At the foot of the slope is the Colwyn brook with several mature Alder trees along the banks.

Red Poppies

Red oriental poppies are a favourite garden flower and a recurring theme throughout the house.

Front Garden

From the front porch the patio leads onto the top lawn. In the sun for most of the day, this is a great place for catching a few rays. As anyone who has been to one of our renowned barbeque garden parties knows, this is also the place for the beer tent.

The Pond

Digging this was a family effort twenty years ago. Now well established, the pond is home to frogs, newts and a variety of invertebrates like dragonflies and diving beetles.Sadly we can't keep fish here because the local mink eat the lot. Even the family of ducklings which once made the pond their home were picked off one by one.

The Colwyn Brook

The Colwyn Brook runs through the bottom of the garden and continues on through the village, eventually joining the River Vyrnwy. During the summer of 1983, the year before we came to Peniarth Isaf, a huge storm turned the stream into a raging torrent which swept away the old stone bridge over the Meifod road. The water never dries up completely but the level rises and falls with rain and the melting snow on the hills further up the valley. There are trout and other tiddlers in the stream, enough to attract herons, ducks and mink. Pied flycatchers have nested in the alder trees above and kingfishers are occasional vistors to the garden. Marsh marigolds, wood anemones, primroses and celandines grow along the banks in the spring.

The Greenhouse

A wonderful place to while away a chilly day. At its best in winter when it is transformed into a tropical paradise. All the patio plants are brought inside, and some like the Brugmansias, ginger lilies and lemons will continue to flower and fill the greenhouse with their perfume.