The garden is in Somerset where weather is wetter and generally milder and affected most by Atlantic weather fronts. The garden itself is fairly well sheltered by mature trees and, in particular, in the walled garden is bordered on three sides by high brick walls that provide a sheltered South-West facing garden.
Sample Garden Report
General findings
Details by area
- Area A - Walled garden - South East facing wall
Well sheltered and with full sun through most of the day, this bed is ideal for less hardy and exotic plants. Centrepiece of the wall is a fine, mature Fig tree. Figs grow profusely and annual or bi-annual pruning in the dormant period (Winter) is recommended.
Existing Plants
Acanthus spinosus
Begonia acida
Choisya ternata
Ficus carica
Hebe ‘Autumn Glory’
Magnolia wilsonii
This is a rare and rather sought after small tree discovered by the plant explorer Ernest Wilson in 1903
This is a rare and rather sought after small tree discovered by the plant explorer Ernest Wilson in 1903
Suggested Plants
Callistemon citrinus
One of the best Bottlebrush plants. Slender evergreen leaves that release a lemon scent if rubbed. Good flowers through the Summer planted against a warm, sunny wall. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
One of the best Bottlebrush plants. Slender evergreen leaves that release a lemon scent if rubbed. Good flowers through the Summer planted against a warm, sunny wall. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Daphne odora ‘Aureo-marginata’
Highly scented plant in early Spring, and good evergreen leaf.
Highly scented plant in early Spring, and good evergreen leaf.
Pittosporum tobira
This could work well at the house end of the border by the gate to the garden behind the house, as the plant is highly scented in Spring/Summer and has good evergreen foliage all year round.
This could work well at the house end of the border by the gate to the garden behind the house, as the plant is highly scented in Spring/Summer and has good evergreen foliage all year round.
- Area B - Walled garden - South West facing wall
A well sheltered bed, also mostly with full sun. The central summer house which is in a dilpidated state could be replaced with a simple pergola structure for scented climbers such as Jasmine, Clematis and Honeysuckle. A particular recommendation is Dregea sinensis, which bears highly fragrant flowers from May to Oct.
Existing Plants
Acacia dealbata
Choisya ternata ‘Sundance’ PBR
Cynara cardunculus
Whopper of a plant (pictured above). Great flowerheads in August
Whopper of a plant (pictured above). Great flowerheads in August
Pseudopanax ferox
One of the strangest small trees. Changes to a more conventional shape once it matures
One of the strangest small trees. Changes to a more conventional shape once it matures
Rosa ‘variety unknown’
View Rosa genus in Plant Finder
Pink climbing rose. May be able to verify when in flower.
Pink climbing rose. May be able to verify when in flower.
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Suggested Plants
Dregea sinensis
Unusual climber with prolific flowers and exquisite scent in afternoons and evenings May to October. May prove hard to find.
Unusual climber with prolific flowers and exquisite scent in afternoons and evenings May to October. May prove hard to find.
Lonicera periclymenum ‘Graham Thomas’
Climber with scented white flowers fading to yellow
Climber with scented white flowers fading to yellow
Gorgeous scented, pure white, trumpet-shaped flowers
Climber with very fragrant tubular cream flowers
- Area C - Walled garden - North West facing wall
While the aspect is slightly less favourable, half the length of the wall is lowered to let in more sun, and plants are again well sheltered.
Existing Plants
Agapanthus ‘Arctic Star’
Euphorbia × pasteuri
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hamburg’
Iris germanica
Origanum vulgare
Paulownia tomentosa
Rosmarinus officinalis
- Area D - Shrub and nettle area - new fire pit
This area could be replanted to good effect with red and gold tinged ornamental grasses and blooms around the proposed fire-pit, thereby carrying the theme from the pit itself to the garden around it. Here are a range of suggestions which work well together.
We recommend a 2-metre diameter fire pit (external measurement), using gravel, sand and the Blue Lyas stones you have on site, which match the walls of the Walled Garden.
Suggested Plants
Anemanthele lessoniana
Green, gold and bronze foliage for a soft 'fibre-optic' effect
Green, gold and bronze foliage for a soft 'fibre-optic' effect
Red trumpet shaped flowers
Echinacea 'Hot Papaya'
View Echinacea genus in Plant Finder
Large fade-resistant, frilly skirted pop-poms in deep, warm red rather than pink shown here
Large fade-resistant, frilly skirted pop-poms in deep, warm red rather than pink shown here
Jolly, warm and vibrant Autumn colour
Green to ruby red blades accentuate the darker reds
Dramatic yellow/orange torches
Year round ruddy colour
- Area E - Raised area in front of kitchen
This area has Snowdrops in early Spring and could be planted with more Spring flowering bulbs. Planting for Summer and Autumn colour is also recommended with a 'signature' tree in the centre of the area. Thought should be given to plants viewable from the kitchen window through the year. A detailed planting plan can be developed if requested.
Suggested Plants
Cercis siliquastrum
Tree with bright pink pea flowers in Spring and flattened purple pods in Autumn.
Tree with bright pink pea flowers in Spring and flattened purple pods in Autumn.
- Area F - Large border in front of house
This bed is currently choked by weeds, including ground Elder. We propose a thorough dig out before replanting. Some good mature plants. A herb area at the kitchen end could be developed with a more detailed planting plan.
Existing Plants
Abelia ‘variety unknown’
Anemone × hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’
Bergenia ‘variety unknown’
Borago officinalis
Iris foetidissima
Phormium ‘Apricot Queen’
Rhododendron luteum
One of the best scented Rhododendron's. But an acid loving plant, which is no doubt why it has not grown well
One of the best scented Rhododendron's. But an acid loving plant, which is no doubt why it has not grown well
Thymus serpyllum
Suggested Plants
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’
Great white flowerheads like headlamps, will look great against the dark Bay bush behind
Great white flowerheads like headlamps, will look great against the dark Bay bush behind
- Area G - Old climbing rose on front of house
This very old rose has been neglected and tangled over the years and will benefit from cutting back all dead wood and re-training in a fan shape on new wires. The mess of random nails and wires should also be removed.
Existing Plants
We believe its a rambling Albertine rose
- Area H - Huge Bay bush
A very large Bay bush, Laurus nobilis, has overgrown its position and needs some heavy pruning to bring back into shape and to a reasonable size (it is now approx. 4m across by 3m high) It was caught in the severe 2012 winter, hence areas on the walled garden side of the bush need cutting out. It would also benefit from cutting back at ground level around the sides where the 'ball shape' has been lost through spreading new shoots. Finally the top which was also caught in the 2012 winter should be cut back to new growth. The plant is healthy and should grow back vigorously.
Existing Plants
Laurus nobilis
- Area I - Cotoneaster tree in centre of lawn
This is an excellent tree for pollinators. It has attractive blossom in Spring and berries that ripen to a dark red in Autumn. Light pruning in winter will help keep the attractive domed shape. New growth around the trunk should also be removed.
Existing Plants
Cotoneaster frigidus ‘Cornubia’
