The Top Garden – Introduction

This was a large area we’d kept tidy but had not changed or developed in any way for a few years after we moved in.

Up three stone steps to the west of the house and bigger than most people’s gardens, this was a horrible space when we moved here, and it took some time to begin to know what on earth we’d do with it. It consisted of a particularly huge and pointless lawn, containing two very large, slightly curved randomly placed plantings of mature rhododendrons in clashing colours. It had no purpose, was not even remotely attractive and led nowhere. The rhododendrons were a massive creepy presence for most of the year, with the added horror of nasty vivid flowers in glaring colours in the spring.

It certainly wasn’t for us and we intended to adapt the layout to make it more interesting. No clear design solution came to mind for several years, but eventually we worked out what to do, and a plan was dreamed up.

The Rhododendrons were severely cut back and amalgamated with new Portuguese laurel shrubs (Prunus lusitanica) to form a circular hedge. This made use of, and disguised the Rhododendrons as part of a bigger plan which made more sense. They would not be the focal point any more, their form and stature could be utilised into a more purposeful whole.

A grass path ran around the outside of the new circle with access from the garden adjacent to the house, and a second grass path through the privet hedge, (eventually to the Dome) and to the garden beyond. Inside the new laurel hedge would be an enclosed border with a circular gravel area in the centre. No prizes for imaginative design, but a good use of a large but unused area near to the house. Simple but interesting, with the opportunity to make it special, secret and jungly, with interesting plant combinations and choices.

The top garden became a secluded, enclosed area with an undiscovered feel to it, and a real contrast to other more open parts of the garden. The design worked – and the hedges protected the garden so well that everything matured very quickly as the plants grew tall to reach the light.
Every spring it all got ruthlessly pruned back as far as we dared, and everything returned with renewed vigour in no time at all.