Seasonal Highlights

• In winter, as the garden rests, take the opportunity to appreciate its formal structure and layout, with clipped hornbeam and yew hedges showing the framework of the borders. When viewed from the castle wall walk, one can see the design inspiration which has come from the shape of the chapel windows.
• Spring sees the banks and wild areas bursting into life with snow drops, primroses and daffodils, followed a little later by cowslips and bluebells. The beautiful blossom of the Judus tree (cersis siliquestrium) is one of the first trees to flower providing a pink canopy to the blue camassia bulbs in the border below. As the days warm, experience the exquisite scents of sweet honey spurge (Euphorbia mellifera), lilacs and the first of the old fashioned roses (Rosearaie de l ‘Hay), along with colourful salvias, geraniums and aquilegias.
• In summer, the garden is bursting with exuberant growth, a riot of colour and texture. Stroll amongst the romantic mix of cottage garden favourites and unusual exotic species, many attracting bees and butterflies. Graceful delphiniums, meadow rue (Thalictrum) and grasses sway gently as the spicy aroma of the mock orange shrub ( Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’) releases its intoxicating scent. Enjoy walking in Princess Beatrice’s footsteps as you stroll through the fig tunnel or relax under the shade of the Walnut trees. All the plants are labelled so you can take inspiration for your own garden at home.
• In autumn, a flush of later flowering perennials continue to flourish including rudbeckia, sedum, achillea and helenium. Now is the time to discover the rather curious medlar tree (Mespelus germanica) fruits from which have been enjoyed since Roman times, although they need to be ‘bletted’ (soft and brown, almost rotten looking) before they are palatable. Autumn is also be a solemn time in the garden, as each November we commemorate Armistice Day with the laying of wreaths and poppies by the statue of the war horse, Warrior.