HOUSE GARDEN
1 Greenhouses and
adjoining herbaceous border
The 3 greenhouses contain a variety of tender plants some of
which are rare or unusual. There is also a collection of
pelargonium species and scented varieties whose charm is
infectious. The border is the longest established with a range of
sun lovers in mostly blues, yellows and whites.
2 Shrub Rose Border
Includes Old and New roses, some once flowering in June, the
rest repeat flowering. There are also peonies, hardy geraniums,
alliums, and a collection of clematis texensis cultivars.
3 "Wild" Flower Walk"
A link between the formality of the gardens and the surrounding
countryside, this is a manufactured "wild" garden as some of the
native wild flowers have proved to be too invasive!
4 North Facing Shade Border
A mix of shade tolerant plants can be found mostly in pink,
lilac, blue and white, all being hardy and underplanted with spring
bulbs.
5 Park Border
South facing and exceptionally well drained it provides the
opportunity to grow sun loving plants mostly from Mediterranean
climates including borderline perennials and annuals. A fine
clematis fargesi flowers profusely in June and July.
6/7 Rock Garden and Rear House
Borders
Providing a link between house and gardens these are planted
with generally low growing plants in pastel shades contrasted by a
border in yellows, oranges and blues.
8 Picket Fence Cottage Garden Border
Includes stalwarts of delphiniums, hollyhocks, campanulas,
phlox, shasta daisies, hardy geraniums,
and annuals. The "hosta walk"at the rear takes advantage of the
shade and reflects our passion for this genus.
9 Pergola Border
Sheltered and mostly in shade there are more hostas here
together with ferns and violas - charming, long flowering and
trouble free. There is a growing collection of arisaemas being
trialled for our friend Tony of www.shadyplants.com
No tour of the House Garden would be complete without inspecting
the productive fruit and vegetable garden as its centerpiece.
Nothing tastes as good or gives greater pleasure than what you have
grown yourself and we are self sufficient for about 8 months from
June onwards.
PADDOCK GARDEN
10 Red Border
Captivated by the famous red border at Hidcote this is our
attempt at a smaller version. We do find shades of red a difficult
to integrate and there is a lot of trial and error! Dahlias are a
mainstay with their long flowering season. Dark leaved shrubs,
lilium speciosum, and red roses add height.
11 Pastels Border
Planted to contrast the red border in the "reverse" Jekyll
fashion, this border features pinks, whites and blues, the anchor
plants being phlox of numerous cultivars. Their perfume is
intoxicating on warm summer days and travels a long way.
12 Koi pond border
Hot, dry and very stony this border allows us to push the
boundaries with many plants from climates warmer than our own.
Dieramas with their graceful wands of flowers make a significant
statement. Don't miss the Koi carp in the pond behind.
13 Beech hedge walk
In shade and very dry this is a challenge in summer. However in
late winter there are over 50 choice hellebores and woodland plants
and bulbs to admire. Arisaemas show their abilities to cope with
the dry shade in summer.
14 Woodland garden
Looking almost dead in high summer this is the main focus in
early spring with a range of woodlanders and bulbs.
15 Stream garden and paddock pond
These form a suitable full stop for the gardens. Water lilies
are much in evidence and provide a haven for immense populations of
native pond life and the introduced shoals of rudd and carp.
Otters, herons, kingfishers and even a cormorant have been visitors
over the years.
16 Lower Paddock shade border
This border allows moist shade lovers to thrive. Ligularias are
prominent together with iris sibirica, ferns, hostas and many other
unusual herbaceous plants.
17 Upper Paddock shade border
This border is in part shade so plantings reflect this. They are
in colours of yellows, blues, whites heightened by orange
kniphofias and lilies to contrast with the red border opposite in
the classic herbaceous border fashion.
18 Nursery area
Aside from the good range of plants for sale, please take time
to look in the polytunnels to see what is growing there - one
visitor kindly commented they are like a mini botanic garden!! Many
are rare, tender or unusual or all three and we just can't stop
acquiring more!!