Jean Kay reveals what it is like to be responsible for the garden of her historic home, Great Mitton Hall, which dates to Medieval times

DESCRIBE YOUR GARDEN

There are several levels to the garden although I wouldn’t exactly call it terraced. I’ve tried to keep a Tudor feel to the whole garden to fit in with the house itself and the neighbouring church. It is quite an ordered garden with a structured feel to it using quite a lot of topiary and there is a parterre – a formal garden with beds arranged in a symmetrical pattern with gravel paths. There is also an area where we grow vegetables and allow our chickens to roam, and a raised lily pond. The garden almost wraps around the house and I’ve tried to make it sympathetic to the building. We have quite a few rose bushes.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE GARDEN?

I’m always looking for new ideas and try and pick up things by visiting National Trust properties and other gardens.This week we’ve introduced a bugs’ hotel which is a structure made out of old pallets to try and encourage all bugs you need in a garden. As any gardener will tell you, you can never say you’ve finished in the garden, but that’s one of the great attractions of it.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO GARDENING?

I’ve always loved the creative aspect of gardening, the fact that you can take an area and transform it. I’ve always tried to do this wherever we have lived and certainly living where we do now I want to create a garden which blends in with its surroundings. It’s a great feeling when everything grows and it looks right.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FEATURE?

The way the garden acts as a link between the house and All Hallows churchyard. We’ve put in some false gates which makes it look as though you can get from the house into the churchyard which you probably once could. I’ve also kept the planting low to retain the wonderful view to Pendle Hill and the river.

YOU BIGGEST GARDEN DISASTER?

Touch wood I don’t think I’ve really had a major problem. At the moment we’re working on how to make the water in the raised pond clearer but I can’t think of any disasters.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT GARDENING?

Again, it’s the whole thing about being able to create, plus I love to see blends of colour in the garden. If I could I would love to have a totally white garden but I can’t really do that here as I inherited some wonderful plants from the previous owner which I could not get rid of.

WHAT IS THE OLDEST THING IN THE GARDEN?

We do have a yew tree which I suspect is quite old. Traditionally yew trees were always planted in churchyards. All Hallows Church dates back to the 13th century and although the tree doesn’t go that far back, it has certainly been around for a long time.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME One weekend every year in June we will open up the gardens to the public. This year 780 people visited us and raised £4,600 for cancer charities. Our friends help us on the day and we served 550 pieces of cake and afternoon tea and I’d like to thank them for their efforts and everyone who came to visit us.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND OTHERS TO OPEN UP THEIR GARDENS?

I certainly would. You have to be approved to make sure that the standards are kept up but it is a great way to meet other keen gardeners and to share ideas. We have found people to be very respectful of the gardens and you can help a cause which touches so many families at the same time. We are already working towards next year’s open gardens weekend.

If you would like to feature in Me and My Garden, contact features editor John Anson on 01254 298262 or email john.anson@nqnw.co.uk