This very large garden has a strong formal layout and rich history, the new owners found an old garden plan in the shed when they first moved-in in 2010 which has proved very helpful.There would probably have been 5-10 full time gardeners originally, which is not currently possible, so the challenge is to re-develop the gardens in such a way that minimum maintenance is required.
We stay for a couple of days/a week at a time every few months to help the clients and their local gardener who does one day per week.
The house has been the priority for the last couple of years, but we started re-planting the front garden in the autumn of 2012 and the rear walled garden in the spring of 2013.The large expanse of paving has been replaced with gravel, into which we planted large crab apples trees and box balls. The original square parterre as shown on the plan has been re-planted with box hedges and infilled with lavender. The new pizza oven and seating area has proved a great success, giving a perfect place to relax and enjoy the space.
We are slowly moving from the house outwards; uncovering, editing and rejuvenating the garden which was laid out at least 60 years ago.
Through the walled garden gate, there are double borders of peonies and philadelphus yet to be renovated as well as a formal area of box lined beds with gravel pathways – which I would like to replace with meadow and mown pathways to decrease maintenance and attract pollinators.
The recently added but already dated shrubberies are going to be edited so that they blend more pleasingly into the surrounding countryside. Some will be replaced with areas of meadow/long grass as well as hazel coppices and woodland. I would like to emulate the ancient woodlands nearby which have carpets of bluebells in spring and the byways of double hedgerows where milecca grasses grow wild.
