An elderly couple have created what has been dubbed as the 'best garden in the UK'. Tony Newton, 72, and wife Marie Newton, 74, have spent 40 years crafting their beloved back garden which has since won some renowned awards.
Tony and Marie began working on their garden when they moved into their home in Walsall in the West Midlands back in 1982. After they both retired in 2009, the pair put more time into their outdoor space which eventually became an award-winning "Four Season" oasis.
Now one of the nation's 'most celebrated' back gardens, the couple open it up to visitors from all across the world. Over the years they have welcomed 15,700 people from more than 41 countries who come to see the colourful plot all year round.
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The quarter of an acre garden now features more than 3,000 plants and flowers, including 450 azaleas, 120 Japanese maples and 15 blue star junipers.
The spectacular space has earnt Tony and Marie several awards, including Alan Titchmarsh's Britain's Best Garden and Gardeners of the Year.
After being unable to open to the public during the pandemic, Tony and Marie, who have raised more than £52,500 for charity, will now be hosting visitors for the first time in three years in October.
Tony said: “We didn’t have a master plan; our garden has simply evolved in a series of projects as our family’s needs have changed.
"We are self-taught and have had no formal horticultural training. All the tasks have been undertaken and completed by us.
“Developing the garden has involved hard work, learning new skills, a degree of trial and error and immense pleasure from doing this huge project together.
“We have not copied any other garden and, as far as we are aware, our design and planting style is unique."
Gran-of-four Marie, a former transport planner and nurse, added: "It has been a labour of love for us. I'm very proud, it's become something of an obsession for both of us
"It's our hobby and and we love looking after it. It's our little bit of green space just a stone's throw from a town centre.
"Although we have had no horticultural training, and are totally self taught, we believe we have created something very special."
The green-fingered pair have shared their best gardening tips to help homeowners keep their lawns looking healthy amid rising temperatures and looming hosepipe bans.
They advise spreading mulch across the ground to help retain moisture and stop weeds, moving potted plants out of direct sunlight and to water in the coolest part of the day.
The couple also say to avoid digging the ground in summer as much as possible but to let lawns grow as long as possible in hot weather and to use clay soil if possible.
Retired GP Tony said: “We have an advantage that our garden is on clay soil, which is good at retaining moisture.
“We have been here for 40 years and our larger, established plants help to provide shade for smaller, more delicate plants, including more recent planting.
“Many of our plants are drought tolerant and have abundant foliage that helps to keep the sun off the soil.”
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