We moved back to Highfields in August 2015. We brought 750 plants with us (one removal van full) and housed them in a rabbit proofed area in the old orchard and brooder field. We planted an avenue of 18 Prunus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ pears along the farm drive. A new equipment barn, poly tunnel and greenhouse were built – some basic structures and protection for the winter.
The house was in a poor state and needed a complete refit and remodelling. This took priority and two years to complete. We then turned to the garden full time. Jenny had already removed 5 mature birches on the eastern edge of the original garden – Charlie’s Garden, to allow much needed light back in. We had two rabbit warrens, extensive brambles and the National Collection of ground elder to deal with. Much scrub was removed and we then addressed the new project in 2017.
We arrived at it from polar opposite directions. Jenny, the professional had topographical surveys done, measured and mapped out the space. Roger, the freelance, just drove the lawn tractor around, shaping swooping, curving paths, just ‘reading the space’ as he wandered. He calls it ‘stream of consciousness’ gardening. However, we agreed on the design principles and plant selections. And we were driven by a singular goal – to open to the public in 2 years time under the NGS to continue our fundraising. That meant go fast, go big.
Design Principles
Plant Driven
It will always be a plants-first garden. A celebration of the beauty and diversity of the plant world. Design would be subordinate to the plants and evolve as the garden grows. The garden would have a natural feel.
Intuitive
Nothing was committed to paper. A wide palette of plants was assembled and planted holistically, with an acceptance of continuous change, remodelling and failure. The garden has to be dynamic and the personal expression of its creators. Not a familiar, formulaic, plagiarised, paint by numbers garden. Of course, elements of Charlie’s original planting and design preferences were respected and celebrated.
Intensive
We needed immediate impact. Planting was dense, often in block of 10 or 15. This approach would change fundamentally in Phase 2 – The Madness.
Intimate
We wanted a high energy interaction with the plants. Paths are narrow (so just two people can walk side-by-side), curving and swooping and inviting you in on a journey of discovery.
Immersive
We use very tall plants, often at the front of beds, so you experience them ‘face-to-face’. It’s like walking through canyons of plants (my ‘Ladies of the Canyon’ ) – hence ‘The Joni Mitchell Garden’.
All Season
There are no excuses. We are blessed with a climate which supports such a diversity of plants from wide geographical spread, growing conditions, climates and all seasons. The garden should be created to provide joy every day of the year.
Process
New planting zones were defined by tractor, prepared by turf-stripping and top-dressed with sterile green waste. Turf was used to make compost for reintroduction. Latterly this was replaced by a ‘no-dig’ approach, using a cardboard base and green waste or compost topping and planting straight in.
Garden Zones
The garden has naturally evolved into interconnecting zones
1 The Gravel Garden
Planted in 2018. The concept is a light and airy planting, which ripples in the wind with essentially pastel colours – yellow, pink, lilac and blue. This is a horticulturally challenging zone. Drama provided by bronze fennel, Rudbeckia maxima, Stipa gigantean, Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’, Calamagrostis emodensis, Pennisetum Dark Desire and Salvia candelabrum. Delicacy provides by Scabious ochreleuca, Gaura lindheimeri, Verbena Bampton and Amsonia tabernaemontana.
2 The Orchard
Planted in 2017. Mix of apple, pear, greengage and plum trees underplanted with Frittilaria, Camassia, Alliums, species Tulips, Narcissi and Dutch Iris.
3 The Kitchen Garden
Started in 2016. It is what it says. There is a heavy fruiting apricot tree in the tunnel and a cutting garden of mixed delights.
4 The Collection
Started in 2016 but constantly changing. Experimental area with no rigid structure and many tender species. Look out for Californian Tree Poppy, Aesculus ‘Koehnii’, Sinocalycanthus ‘Hartlage Wine’, Abutilon ‘Jermyns Blue’, Schefflera tiawaniana, various Pseudopanaxes, Paulownia, Koelreuteria Coral Sun, Swamp Hibiscus moscheutos, Gingers, Restios, Grevillea, and the Tetrapanax
5 The Joni Mitchell Garden
Planted 2017. Perennial Ladies of the Canyon. A garden of giant verticals and high summer hot colours, up close and personal. Structure provided by 5 fastigate copper beeches. Numerous plants over 8 ft high. You enter through a wispy pastel corridor of Iris Jane Phillips, Dianthus carthusanorum, Molinia Edith Dudszus, Molinia ‘Transparent’, Dahlia merckii, Althea cannabinum and Salvia uliglinosa. The Pericarias then take over – look out for Fat Domino and the colours get hotter. The giants are Vernonia crinita ‘Mammuth’, Eupatoriums Orchard Dene, Miscanthus giganteus and malepartus, Thalictrums Elin and Anne, Helianthus giganteus, Kniphofia uvaria Nobilis, Persicaria wallichii, Datiscus cannabinum and the beautiful Salvias confertiflora and involurata ‘Hadspen’.
6 Charlie’s Garden
Original planting by Jenny’s father, continuously updated. A classic tree, shrub, perennial mix with a woodland provided by the wind screen of conifers, a Ginko, a ‘Monkey Puzzle’, Honey Locust. Early interest from Roses, Paeonies, Euphorbias, Cornus, Rhodos, Viburnums, Magnolias, Hamamelis, Hellebores, wild Garlic and Bluebells. Summer brings more Roses, a collection of unusual Hydrangeas, Geraniums, Hemerocallis. Constantly changing.
7 Grass Gateway and Acer Allee
Grass Gateway provided four blocks of Miscanthus malepartus arranged as a carfax.
A corridor of Acer japonica Sango-kakus, underplanted with Carex ‘Prairie Fire’
8 Shrub Walk
Original planting plus continuous new additions. Lots of interest across the seasons. A number of rarities. Look out for Lespedeza thunbergii, Stachyurus chinensis, Indigofera heterantha, Chitalpa taskentensis, Staphylea colchica, Hoheria sexstylosa, Michelias.
9 Autumn Quadrants
Planted 2018. An intimate garden of tall plants for late season drama. You might see a weed or two – e.g. the pink Anemone japonica. Look out for Calamagrostis Karl Foerster, Sanguisorba Blackthorn, Molinia transparent, lots of Asters (Symphotrichum) and the Loquat tree. Early season interest from Delphiniums, Oriental poppies.
10 The Outback
Planted 2018. On-going build of trees and unusual shrubs. Look out for the red oak ‘New Madrid’, the ‘Pocket Handkerchief tree’, Piliostegia viburnoides, Salix Mount Aso, Hebe Nantyderry, Rosa moyesii, Weigela ‘Black and White, Aesculus ‘Koehnii’ .
11 The Madness
Started in 2021. A new third of an acre garden. Originally shaped as a double infinity, with a ‘never-ending’, looping path. Still evolving. Planting is ‘matrix and scatter’. A base matrix of grasses with perennials scattered in random repeats. Look out for Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘alba’, Kniphofia Tawny King, Vernonia ‘Mammoth’, Eurybia x hervyi Twilight, a collection of Acsclepias, Heleniums, Coreopsis varieties and a wide range of grasses. Find the black water pond
Invitation
If you want to find out for yourself, come along. You will be most welcome.
Highfield Farm Garden 