Rural

A lavish sweeping curve in front of Wakehurst’s manor house divides the Winter Garden from the more formal lawn area, lending a sense of generosity and expanse that is in keeping with the size of the mansion and lawn. Forming the curve, tousled Carex comans ‘Bronze Perfection’ creates a textural carpet that contrasts with the vivid stems of Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’.

The winter garden at Wakehurst

Naturalised crocus planted in a lawn under a mature tree framing a typical Cotswold house in the distance

A Cotswold rectory garden with topiary and early spring bulbs

Ghost Wash

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Rowe's at Priory Gardens: cutting garden in Yorkshire

A stunning flower farm in a medieval priory

Kelmarsh Hall

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Batcombe House garden, designed by Libby Russell

Designer Libby Russell’s own garden at Batcombe House

The zestful planting of the main borders of the garden seems to be a continuum of colourful plants but they are bisected by grass paths. In the foreground the punchy, red flowers of Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’ float around the purple flowers of Salvia nemorosa ‘Amethyst’.

Layered perennial planting in a Cheshire garden

Rousham. Photo: Andrew Lawson

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The view down the terraced garden to the vegetable beds, chicken run and barbecue terrace. Richly hued flowers in the dahlia patch contrast with the acid-green of Euphorbia ceratocarpa in the foreground

Coping with slopes: a terraced garden on the East Sussex coast

A long, gravel path follows the line of an old granite wall and a campana urn provides a focal point and full stop. The planting is a rich mixture of bedding, perennials and shrubs. Trees ‘borrowed’ from neighbouring gardens frame the space and link it with the landscape.

Mixing exotics and old favourites in a gardener’s garden

Sissinghurst’s Delos garden has been transformed into a Mediterranean-style space in line with the original vision. Grecian altars and a Mediterranean kermes oak are placed along the main walkway

Inside Sissinghurst’s Mediterranean-inspired Delos garden

The sheltered Gravel Garden where owners Nick and Louise Killen can sit among mounds of Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ and the floating heads of Cenolophium denudatum and enjoy a view to the church where they married. The stone Farrowing House is now Nick’s office.

Creating the perfect Somerset family garden

At Upper Sydling in Dorset the landscape beyond is as much a part of the garden as the flowers within it. Here in the cutting garden, the view is framed by a floriferous mass of rambling roses, including the pretty pink Rosa ‘May Queen’, which entwine their flowering tentacles through, around and over the balustrade of ageing green oak.

Creating the perfect romantic rose garden

In a hilltop location, bands of Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’, Phlomis russeliana and self-seeded Lychnis coronaria support each other in a densely planted flower garden. The sun is setting through a Catalpa bignonioides and great plumes of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ hide the parking area.

How to create a flower-filled hillside garden

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Discover the modern cottage garden