The Gardens

   

We have a plantsmans garden of around 1½ acres which is open from mid May to the end of September for the National Gardens Scheme. We use the garden to provide propagating material for the nursery and trial new varieties for disease and mollusc resistance.

The planting style is diverse and exuberant. Secretive enclosed areas planted as shelter belts, where carpets of spring flowers give way to jungly perennials, grasses, bamboos and ferns contrast with the formal herbaceous borders. Leading on from these are extensive shrubberies with views over the wild flower meadow and the landscape beyond.

The garden overlooks a vast wilderness and there is strategically placed seating from which to enjoy the views.

The garden is managed in an environmentally aware manner. There is an abundance of wildlife, including garden birds, birds of prey, butterflies, dragon flies, damsel flies as well as the occasional fox, badger or polecat. To protect these creatures we have never used insecticides, fungicides or any form of slug and snail killer.