Tendring District Council Memorial Garden

One of the most eye-catching areas of Clacton-on-Sea is its Memorial Garden.

Situated to the immediate west side of Clacton Pier at street level, the riot of colour that greets visitors during the summer months is a sight to behold.

It was erected almost 100 years ago in 1924 as a memorial to those who died in the First World War, and has since become a place of remembrance for those who perished in the Second World War too.

Up to 34,000 flowers and plants are used over the course of the year in order to keep the area looking its best.

Tendring District Council work together with the help of an army of volunteers to tend the beds and mow the lawn areas.

The seafront gardens, proudly fly the prestigious Green Flag award, a quality mark, awarded by Keep Britain Tidy.

We were only too happy to assist with planting plans and the supply of plants for a collection of wonderful new areas of the Memorial Garden.

Able to flourish in all weathers, some of the varieties used were as follows: Hydrangea Paniculata Limelight, Hydrangea Paniculata Polar Bear, Rudbeckia Goldblitz, Geranium Bobs Blunder and Geranium Dusky Crug.

Hydrangea Paniculata Limelight

  • A medium-sized shrub at 1.5m which produces masses of lime green flowers in the summer to late autumn.
  • Blooms change from lime green to white, to light pink and finally to a deep pink by the end of the autumn.
  • Fully hardy, it can flourish in any soil and in either full sun or partial shade.
  • Looks stunning with a winter frost on the flower heads.
  • Top Tip: Cut back hard in early spring to encourage a bushy plant and even more flowering buds for the summer.

Hydrangea Paniculata Polar Bear

  • A medium-sized shrub at 1.5m which produces masses of lime green flowers in the summer to late autumn.
  • Blooms change from lime green to a stunning bright white, hence the name.
  • Fully hardy, it can flourish in any soil and in either full sun or partial shade.
  • Looks stunning with a winter frost on the flower heads.
  • Top Tip: Cut back hard in early spring to encourage a bushy plant and even more flowering buds for the summer.

Rudbeckia Goldblitz

  • The newest introduction to the Rudbeckia family in 2022.
  • A dwarf form of the finest Rudbeckia Goldsturm.
  • Starts to flower in mid-summer, three weeks earlier than Goldsturm, and will continue through mid-to-late autumn.
  • A lovely compact form that will thrive in full sun and part shade, and in any soil.
  • A hardy flower which reaches heights of 60cm with a spread of 45cm.
  • Top Tip: Cut back hard in late winter or early spring.

Geranium Bob’s Blunder

  • Discovered in the Cotswolds, a fantastic flower and foliage to have in any garden.
  • Deeply lobed bronze leaves will enhance and complement any other plants in your garden.
  • The bright pink flowers will give your garden a fantastic show from late spring to early autumn.
  • Keeps its purple foliage to ensure colour throughout the winter.
  • Can be used as a compact, and is clump-forming or mat forming (ground cover) with a height and spread of 30cm x 30cm.
  • Will grow in any soil, performs best in full sun but can take shade or semi-shade.
  • Avoid waterlogging.
  • Top Tip: Remove all leaves and spent flowers to encourage new growth and more flowers.

Geranium Dusky Crug

  • Gets its name from a first seedling found at Crug Farm in Caernarfon, Wales, back in the late 1990s.
  • A fantastic plant for the garden which will grow in any soil, performing best in full sun or semi-shade.
  • Flushed chocolate foliage in early spring turns to a dark purple then back to chocolate before finishing as a deeper purple in autumn.
  • The flowers are veined pale pink and last from spring until well into autumn.
  • A compact, tidy height and spread of 30cm x 30cm.
  • Drought tolerant, avoid waterlogging.
  • Top Tip 1: Remove all leaves and spent flowers to encourage new growth and more flowers.
  • Top Tip 2: Plant at the front of a border to show off this stunning flower against different coloured flowers or foliage. It’s too beautiful to be hidden away!