The Changing Scenery of Dicot.
The East Garden land still remains wet although the ground has been repeatedly drained to pipe the underground water away to the stream. However moisture loving plants thrive in this microclimate: a giant gunnera, hostas, astilbes, and ferns are to be found here.
Clambering over the framework of the Gazebo are clematis, rambling roses, golden hops and within, hardy fuschias which spring to life every summer.
The Blue Shed built at the eastern tip of the grounds allows the visitor time to sit and view the maturing trees and shrubs which have been planted along the perimeters of the East Garden.
The Woodland Walk was created in 1999 within the North Garden.
Passing by the bed of Dwarf Azaleas which greet you with their vibrant massed colour in early May a short upward climb brings you into a different world.
A maze of shale paths take the visitor between high conifers and affords views of rhododendrons, camellias and other acid loving plants which have been underplanted here.
On the upper path the pumphouse for circulating water to the fish pond also draws water from a spring as the water is allowed to flow back down in small streams to the pond below.
The Japanese Garden was built during the winter months 2001/2002.
This was designed to draw the visitor to the end of the Paddock Garden where previously the trees which had been planted had the sole purpose of acting as windbreaks against the Sou'westerlies which can blast tender leaved plants which open early in the mild climate.
The Japanese theme is evoked by the surrounding reed fence which also conceals the Pagoda style seating area. The contrasting paths of shimmering Derbyshire felspar, smooth pellets of Oxfordshire gravel and blue Welsh slate are planted simplistically with finely dissected acers and mimosa, dwarf conifers, black ophiopogon and other unusual perennials and shrubs.