Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Scampston Walled Garden


We have just returned from a family holiday in York. While there we took a trip out to see the walled garden at Scampston, near Malton. The garden was designed by Piet Outdolf for Sir Charles and Lady Legard between 1998 and 2003. It is one of the most inspirational gardens I have visited, particularly the perennial meadow areas (perennials and grasses planted in drifty blocks of similar height) where oak seats are put into the centre of each large square bed so that you are completely submerged in plants. Another highlight was a circular planting of Molinia 'transparent' glistening in the autumn sunshine.
I have come back with masses of ideas, both for the design of the cutting garden and for plant combinations for bouquets. I was particularly struck by a very fresh mix of white japanese anenomes 'Honorine jobert' with molinia grasses which would look wonderful for an autumn wedding as a change from dahlias, sunflowers and chrysanthemums.
Returning home it has obviously been wet and mild while we were away and the beds are full of weeds. In amongst the docks, nettles and chickweed are some welcome self seeders - cornflowers, poppies and daucus dara.

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