Iris ensata and Candelabra Primulas in late June
Iris ensata and Candelabra Primulas in late June
Floating stepping stones take the visitor obliquely across the surface of the upper pond to a tiny waterfall spilling into the lower pond. The canopy of large oaks, cedars, and a majestic wellingtonia are reflected in these pools. The planting celebrates all seasons beginning in early spring when drifts of blue scillas, white narcissus, anemones and Japanese cherry blossoms carpet the banks and paths. Silvery-white magnolias stand out against pastel-coloured camellias and rhododendrons. They are followed in late spring and early summer by several varieties of candelabra primulas and Iris ensata.
Late in the year the Japanese inspiration is strongest with the fiery foliage of Japanese acers rising up against swathes of hydrangeas, hesperanthas, francoas and Aster divaricatus. At the far end of the pools, half hidden behind bamboo and scrubbed white birches sits a Japanese-style teahouse, built entirely from wood. The tea house has splendid views, both down onto the ponds below and up toward the house. The bark mulch path alongside it is lined with birches, bamboo, Iris sibirica, and hostas.
Aster divaricatus and Hydrangeas in early September
Candelabra Primulas in early May
Lobelias and Miscanthus in August
Hesperantha in late September
Prunus incisa and Scilla in late March
View from the Rockery in April
Camellias and Narcissi in early April
The house from the Stroll Garden
Aster divaricatus in late September
Iris sibirica in late May
Teahouse
View to the House in Spring
Anemone blanda in April
Hellebores and Scilla in April
| Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camellias | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scilla | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Narcissus | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Japanese cherries | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pulmonarias | YES | YES | YES | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anemone blanda | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tree peonies | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Magnolias | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Candelabra primulas | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iris sibirica | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ranunculus aconitifolium | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geranium palmatum | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rodgersias | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iris ensata | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Astrantias | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dieramas | YES | YES | YES | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lobelias | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kirengeshoma palmata | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hydrangeas | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hesperanthas | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tricyrtis | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crossing the drive, the journey continues