They have been specially designed to use plants that are either fantastic to look at or beautifully scented (or both) during winter, when elsewhere can look bleak and grey. The winter garden is long and narrow. The winding path however, creates new surprises on every bend, making the garden seem a more organic shape.
Stars of the garden include Scarlet Willow and Cornus sanguinea Midwinter Fire which dazzle with orange and red. Silver-fern bramble, Rubra, shines pure white and glows even on this dull day. Grasses add texture in the beds, both at low and high levels.
The air is full of the scent of Viburnum bodnantense, Sarcococca (Christmas Box), Mahonia, Chimonanthus and the perfume of winter-flowering honeysuckle, dotted along the paths.
Winter Garden
Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'
Beautifully scented Viburnums
The rain only seemed to bring out the beauty of the flowering bulbs
Corylus avellana
The meandering path occasionally brings you to a secret formal garden or statues. You feel that everywhere you turn you will discover something new.
Garrya elliptica line the path at one point. The silken tassels look like something from a fairytale.
A view along the paths, the cornus looking like huge flames.
Silver birch grove
This part of all the gardens was undoubtedly my favourite. The simplicity of the planting was stunning, creating a sense of peace and tranquillity not found often. The whole grove was made up solely of Betula utilis var. Jacquemontii, then underplanted with bergenias. I've read since that later in the Spring a carpet of tiny tulips emerge. The whole effect is extremely elegant.
Other gardens
Between us and the meadow beyond, there is a secret walkway through the hedge.
"Lightning doesn't strike twice" only, in the case of this tree - it did
George and the dragon above the entrance to the house
The recently re-planted formal rose garden, There are a vast number of varieties in this garden. I hope to revisit in the summer as the sights and smells will be fantastic
The Formal Statue garden. This area was beautifully symmetrical and crisp, and a pattern pleasing to the eye. We could just see the emerging bulbs promising a spectacular show in a few weeks' time.
Lode Mill with the river lined by poplars and banks dotted with daffodils and primroses
Beautiful blossoms were out (not sure of the variety). Despite the rain - the droplets made the blossom even more beautiful
Twisted, rope-like wisteria branches growing from the other side of the wall all the way up the tree.
Overall, I would thoroughly recommend a visit on the basis that if a garden can be spectacular and enchanting on a miserable, wet day in March - it will be something else in the sun! Our whole group felt inspired and came away having learnt a huge amount. I, certainly will be returning for more!
