The Herbaceous Border
Dark velvety green, clipped yew hedges and pillars of yew topiary frame the entrance and lead the visitor from the Brick Garden down the steps into the Herbaceous Border terminated by a stone bird bath.
This is the traditional English double herbaceous border densely planted with a rich variety of herbaceous perennials and in true Victorian/Edwardian style was originally designed to be in full glory and a riot of colour in July and August when the owners were in the country.
Today the vast number of species grown (over a hundred) and the careful layering and graduation from front to back of this rich mixture of plants ensures a long season of interest and a continuous performance of flowers from April to October.
The double borders are flanked by tall hedges of handsome dark green yew which provide an impenetrable backdrop and the perfect foil for the luxuriant floral display in the foreground. The borders are punctuated by tripods of voluptuous carmine ‘American Pillar’ roses which complement and add vertical structure to the design.
At the back of the border, structure is provided by plants with architectural and feathery foliage such as the spectacular two metre high silver and purple giant cardoon Cyanara cardunculus, the tall spheres of the purple globe thistle Echinops ritro and the huge mustard discs of Achillea filipendulina ‘Gold Plant’. These combine with white clouds of Crambe cordifolia, graceful plumes of Artesimia lactiflora, primrose yellow Cephalaria gigantea, deep yellow Belgian sunflower Helianthus multiflorus ‘Triomphe di Gand’ and golden coneflower Rudbeckia ‘Autumn Sun’.
