The Ideal APPETISER

Every keen gardener will be familiar with the feeling of intense longing that comes when you see a plant that you simply must have for your own garden. One of the many pleasures of visiting Bluebell Cottage Gardens in Cheshire is that there is a good chance of instant gratification, since so many of the plants grown here are also available to buy from the nursery next door.

The gardens here are the creation of Sue Beesley, who has been an enthusiastic amateur gardener since her teens. Sue worked for many years in the information technology industry, but, in 2006, while taking a course at horticultural college, she entered the BBC Gardener of the Year competition and won. It was this experience that gave her the confidence boost she needed to change careers.

While Sue was looking for the plants she needed to build her competition garden, she