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The Raised Border
Beyond the Orchard and beneath the canopy of a fully mature
English Ash, the garden has been raised by some thirty centimeters
behind retaining dry stone walls.
The large central bed has room for a circular pool and fountain
and a bold planting scheme of specimen shrubs and architectural
herbaceous perennials chosen to achieve colour and interest
in all seasons. |
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The year opens with Helleborus foetidus Wester Flisk, primroses
and the ubiquitous Crocus tommasinianus. Into spring and early
summer with Libertia grandiflora, Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum
x hybridum), hardy geranium, low growing campanulas and the
sweetly scented Viburnum grandiflorum. High summer brings with
it four varieties of Hosta, rambling rose and the dark pink
perennial pea (Lathyrus latifolia). Broad drifts of pink Anemone
x hybrida feature in late summer to be followed by groups of
blue liriope muscari and scented Cimifuga racemosa. Additional
structure is achieved with specimen evergreen ferns and four
clipped box balls. Originally, six such balls were planted but
the depredations of the local foxes, which use them as scenting
posts, have killed two plants and damaged the remainder.
The western side of the Raised Border area is a continuation
of the Long Border and it’s flanking path.
The character
of this border, however, is altered by the large English Yew
whose dense, evergreen foliage and questing roots produce a
dry shade where Acanthus spinosus, Helleborus hybridus, Geranium
Wargrave Pink and Euphorbia amygdaloides all manage to thrive. |
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