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Conversion from a small field began in 2012. It has been described as a series of rooms each with a different theme linked
with sections of lawn, large pergola archways and brick stepping paths. A place where I hope your imagination and love of
gardening and nature can be recharged helped along with the sound of 10 water fountains, waterfalls, statues of griffins,
cats, sphinxes, lions and life size Greek deities, with many plaques of garden wisdom and spirituality. A place for wildlife
and conservation.
The garden is private and not open to the public on a general basis. But private groups can book exclusive tours from
May to August.
THE ROOMS
Some areas are formal others informal. The eye is led from area to area like a journey to hidden vistas.
Dianthus ('Theophrastus Corners'):
In a paved sitting out area with pergola arch, recessed from the lae and hidden from initial view is a collection (now
sponsored by Whetman Pinks of Devon). Also with a fountain and large arbour bench and small patio. Many different varieties
of carnations .(sponsored by Whetman Pinks)
Grasses ('Forster's Edge'):
Grasses and Phormiums: circular garden which edges part of the pond with a winding slate path and low stone wall. Contains
20+ different grasses and phormiuns. Includes giant tree lilies, acer, pampas. Named after Johann and his son Georg Forster
who discovered the genus on Capt. Cook's second expedition in 1775.
Conifers ('Nordic Wood'):
A long narrow garden at rear of summerhouse with 54 different dwarf & standard conifers leading to a small woodland
looking across to the Wessex Downs. Also includes two seating areas and patio (Nordic Wood). And a secret little building
(Elves House).
Pond:
Benches, bridge, plants, stone & slate edge. FISH: koi, shubunkin, blue & honey orfe, goldfish, blackamoor, green
tench, yellow & sarassa comets, silver & golden rudd, ginrinn, ogon, blue panda. Also: pond skaters, water-boatmen,
dragonflies, damsel flies, beetles. Frogs and newts.
Urns Garden:
A paved are together with a covered arbour. Consisting of a variety of classical (stone) urns and planters of various
sizes and heights in various shades of blue and two beds. This is all garden is plantedd in shades of blue, white, cream and
lavender perennial flowers.
Waterfall and Pools ('Dartmoor Bells'):
A large area of rocks with waterfall tumbling down over four levels each with a pool (the largest being 16ft x 4ft.) Birds
drink and bathe here. Each fall has been made to have a different timbre. I spent many years running heritage and adventure
expeditions to Dartmoor for groups of British and European students. I was enchanted by this landscape and its archaeolgy
and legends- and the music of thousands of streans tinkling, gurgling and crashing over the granite.
Tropical & Exotica ('Banks Exotica'):
Surrounding a hidden patio with table and chairs bext to summerhouse. Here are a range of palms, agaves, begonias, phormiums,
yuccas, hostas, succulents, bananas. A 6ft high wooden trellis on the northern and eastern boundary gives extra shelter. Next
to it are tree fern, Yucca tree and other tall specimens. Named after Sir Thomas Banks (1743-1820) the botanist who was in
Cook's first great voyage of discovery (1768-1771) and who advised King George III on the design and planting of the Royal
Botanic Gardens at Kew.
Wetland ('Froggy Waters'):
A shallow curving area of water surrounded by a bank of planting. Bog and water marginal plants. Stepping stones across
the water. Frequented by frogs, newts and various other creatures
Alpines ('Wilderswil'):
A curved and raised area banked in with Cotswold stone wall. A bed of about 18 plants. Named after a small village in
Switzerland where I spent an extremely happy school summer holiday age 16, climbing the hills and mountains of that wonderful
and pristine landscape.
Herbarium ('Culpepper's Delights'):
On a raised brick walled bed to tge east of the wetland and pond is the herbarium . Here are over 60 different herbs.
Named in honour of the 17th.century botantist Nicholas Culpepper 1616-1654. (Sponsored by Pepperpot Herb Nursery)
Beach & dunes
Through an arch edging part of pond with deck chairs, hammock and fountain. Tree trunk style stepping stones.
Summerhouse
For private study, which also house a Library (history/ horticulture/ wildlife/ design/ecology/ landscape/ architecture/heritage
etc) of over 1000 books) plus a verandah and chairs.
Rose and Olive Garden
And formal walkway including large pergola, sundial, griffin statues and fountain. 10 clipped lollipop bay trees and 10
clipped lollipop olive trees and four large standard olive trees with a selection of boredr plants e.g. campanula, dianthus,
erodium, begonia, ageratum etc in shades of blue, pink, lavender)
Heathers: ('Heath Ridge'):
This collection on a curving raised bed edged with rocks reminds me of visiting and exploring such landscapes as the New
Forest, Dartmoor, Lake District). A raised bed next to the waterfalls of several different heathers .
Fuchsias Collection ('Plumier's Trove'):
And 2 other raised beds with variety of perennial planting. The central exclusively given over to fuchsias. Named after
the French botantist Charles Plumier (1646-1704) who discovered this genus on his third expedition to the Greater Antilles
and named them in honour of Dr.Leonhart Fuchs.
Orchard ('Fruity Pickings')
Raspberry, grape, strawberry, tayberry, pomengranite, redcurrant, blackcurrant, cherry, damson, apricot, peach, plum,
apple, fig, chestnut, hazelnut, walnut. Arbour Bench.
Cottage Garden ('Jekyll's View'):
A Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) type space (and named in honour of her) with a variety of shrubs and perennial flowers.
Leading to a hidden alcove of evergreen shrubs (The Outlook) and also an enclosed arbour (Little Nook).
Vegetable Garden
of 6 small plots and two large long raised beds in brick walls with a statue of the four seasons in each corner. In the
centre is a medieval walled garden style area of two 3ft high raised beds enclosing slate area with two benches and two fountains.
Along the back is a collection of 10 acer trees in containers (Acers Walk).
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Woodland
A small woodland area is under construction. A range deciduous and coniferous specimen trees have been planted. It will
also feature a wildflower area and a wilding area. It iis hoped that (if sponsorship is forthcoming) an apiary can be set
up from which others can also benefit. The area will be kept as natural as possible. It take perhaps another 3 years or so
before it starts to attune to a natural rhythm and appearance.)
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THEMES,TRIBUTES,SEATING
There are over 17 separate seating areas ( seating at least 56 people) scattered across the garden to enable you to relax
and take in the great variety of views, sounds and 'rooms' from different angles, as well as tables and patios.
The landscaping (paths, patios, walls, waterfall, pond edge etc) was chosen to reflect the construction materials of the
1885 cottage; brick & limestone but with the addition of plum slate. And also reflect some of the landscapes I love: the
coast, Cotswold Hill stone walls, Moorish quads, prehistoric sites, the 4 level waterfall recalls the myriad of different
tinkling sounds of Dartmoor streams during my many teaching expeditions there.
Throughout slate plaques reflect upon life (humorous, philosophic, spiritual) to further calm the visitor.
The rooms have signs expressing their inspiration (Wildersil, Dartmoor Bells, Froggy Waters, Fishes Rest, Lepidoptera
Place, Heath Ridge, Putti’s Hide, ) or as tribute to a past famous botanist, gardener, landscaper etc (e.g: Plumiere,
Culpepper, Banks, Paston, Jekyll, Forster, Capability, Theophrastus etc)
WILDLIFE:
Planting is chosen help and encourage wildlife. About 22+ species of butterfly visit each year. Also, several species
of bees, dragonflies, damsel flies; frogs and newts; water beetles, pond skaters, eater boatmen and much else. Over 60 fish
of several species. Many species of bird. Moles abound. Voles, mice, shrews. Bats. A badger visits. Swallows perform their
acrobatics low- enticed by the pond insects. Buzzard and red kite soar high above.
stephencox.gardentrust@gmail.com
(note: only enquiries dealing exclusively with the garden are accepted)
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