Planting plans for Bedford House

The new Somerville building itook care to preserve Bedford House the old boys school building that is next to the new Coop in Walton Street. 

Those passing by the little garden recently may have read the updates posted by Somerville explaining replanting would be delayed to this Autumn. The JCA have now had sight of the plans, developed by a garden designer with Somerville’s own gardeners. The planting scheme takes account of the history of the old Bedford House and of Jericho. It is also designed to be climate friendly and sustainable and to provide an interesting view from Walton Street for passers-by. 

Somerville is keen for the JCA and the community to feel a certain sense of caring responsibility and will be facilitating JCA access to the garden and building in due course, but maintenance will be the responsibility of the college. 

The plan draws on the Victorian mania for ferns which would have been popular when Jericho was built, and speculates that the Bedford House pupils, who would have been middle class boys from the area needing a “thoroughly good and sound English education” would have learnt about ferns and the latest plant exploration in their botany classes!

The overall colour scheme is white and green with tree ferns to give height but hollyhocks are included to link to the planting during and before the JCA planting scheme.