Medium sized gardens: Winner Andy Beattie

Jul 23 2008 by Val Javin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ANDY Beattie and his wife Doreen don’t stray too often from their home and garden in Kirkheaton.

ANDY Beattie and his wife Doreen don’t stray too often from their home and garden in Kirkheaton.

And little wonder when you see the haven that Andy has created for the two of them tucked away behind the house that has been home to the Beattie family for many years. This is another of those unseen treasures that we found hidden behind fences and gates offering a fantastic tribute to yet another of Huddersfield’s most creative gardeners.

Andy works hard on the long, narrow plot which he has turned into a delightful retreat for both him and Doreen. They take their breakfast outside and in the evening, head for the summer house where they can enjoy the feel of being out of doors even when the air turns chilly.

This is a man whose creative talents range from writing poetry and stories of his Scottish childhood so that his grandchildren can share their heritage, to building decked areas and pavilions out of whatever he can lay his hands on. And if it is recycled material, so much the better.

The bold decision to remove a tree from the lower part of the garden has created more light and movement and a chance to give the pool areas a new lease of life. Pots of lavender and a soft blue-green paint scheme give the new decked area near the house a restful feel while the very top of the garden offers a welcome shady corner with the garden’s second pool area surrounded by Andy’s favourite astilbes and hostas.

Irises and lilies continue to offer powerful punch in the fragrance and colour departments. Here’s a man unafraid of using colour.

But like everything else in this super garden, that colour is done with a great deal of thought and care.

A previous place winner, Andy has developed his garden over recent years into a show-stopping winner.