Past skills passed on for the future By becoming centres for education and training, historic walled gardens can make themselves relevant to the 21st century, says Gavin McEwan

摘要

Walled gardens are a key part of our horticultural heritage, but they face two problems. One is that so many have long been abandoned and are in a poor state of repair. The other is that even when in prime condition, they require a level of maintenance few owners can afford. Many are also threatened with development - "a very typical occurrence", according to garden historian Fiona Grant. The Elizabethan Old Walled Garden in Nantwich, Cheshire, for example, whose wall is a Grade ll-listed structure,was a whisker away from residential redevelopment until planning was finally refused last month.