garden

winter gardens aren’t always looking empty or ugly: obviously the location makes a difference and here i was visiting the new garden -the newt in somerset- which has been rebuilt In the last few years, now called emily’s garden after emily hobhouse who cared for soldiers in the boer wars (late 19th c south africa). the new owners, who bought hadspen house from the hobhouse family, rebuilt barns with other buildings on the land which were there long ago. the remodelled garden planting focuses on cider apples both espaliered, inside the garden, with plantations outside it, to replicate their established cider business in south africa.

the garden is far more than this however it caters for the new ‘day out or repeat’ visitor with extensive woods for walks, a relaxing southern aspect picnic area together with the old henhouse, herb & vegetable terroir with delightful other parts of the garden picking up on various themes.

from the main house, which is now a boutique hotel, they have made light of the newts, which played havoc with the rebuilding process, placing ponds for them in the lawn and a fun patio with mini water features for the amusement of the visitors. there is an amazing amount of stonewalls, walkways, greenhouses, various pit stops, even replica cart wheel wash area amuses children a shop, excellent vegetarian café & cider (mostly) bar add to the whole experience in winter or all year round.

winter time does not preclude beautiful plants showing off extra colour even before the long awaited spring bulbs show through. in my garden i have made some winter vistas with colour, also shapes of plants, levels, wooden fencing or furniture, enhanced too by the unusual shape of the house.

to follow

garden design – the amateur
visiting gardens private & public

changing seasons