Shropshire

Description

The Dower House Garden occupies a 1.5 acre site in a beautiful setting within the grounds of Morville Hall, near Bridgnorth in Shropshire. The garden aims to tell the history of English gardening in a sequence of separate gardens designed in the style of different historical periods. Particular attention is given to the use of authentic plants and construction techniques. Old roses are a speciality of the garden.

The garden was designed by Dr Katherine Swift, the garden historian and writer, who has lived at The Dower House since 1988.

The garden has been featured in many newspapers and magazines, including Hortus, Gardens Illustrated, House & Garden, The English Garden, Gardening 'Which?', Garden Inspirations and The Saturday Telegraph, and is listed in The Daily Telegraph Good Gardens Guide and the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden Finder. Katherine was for four years garden columnist on the Times. Her book about making the garden, entitled The Morville Hours, was published by Bloomsbury (price £18.99) in May 2008 and was serialised on BBC Radio 4 as 'Book of the Week'.  The paperback came out in April 2009 (price £8.99).  Copies are available in the garden.  Katherine also has a new book about the garden due out in March 2011 entitled The Morville Year, and is currently working on a sequel.

The main areas of the garden are the Cloister Garden (c. 1450) with its Cloister Walk of clipped yew and its shady turf seats; the Knot Garden (c.1580) with its intricate pattern of sweet-smelling herbs; the Plat (c.1650) with its quinces, medlars and boarded beds of old tulips; the Canal Garden (c.1710) with its 60-foot water feature and clipped evergreen shapes; the New Flower Garden (c.1780) with its secluded Greek Temple and cascades of roses; the Victorian Rose Border (c. 1870) with its luscious peonies and swooping rose garlands, and the Edwardian Fruit and Vegetable Garden (early 20th century), with its 80-ft apple and pear tunnels festooned with white roses. At the centre of the garden is the intriguing Turf Maze based on a design dating back to the Bronze Age.

The formal parts of the garden are enclosed by high yew hedges, which give the garden an air of great antiquity. Outside the yew hedges, and in strong contrast to the garden within, are several variations on the theme of natural gardening: a late 19th-century Wild Garden at the north end of the garden, containing wild roses from all over the world underplanted with leucojums and camassias amid English wild flowers; a little Lammas Meadow in the south-east corner of the garden, traditionally mowed at Lammas-tide (August 1st), containing native wild flowers such as daffodills, fritillaries and Tulipa sylvestris; and a recently planted Spinney, consisting of native tree species such as small-leaved lime, wild service and field maple, underplanted with dog roses, spindle and guelder rose.

In addition there is a Plum Walk along the west side of the garden underplanted with autumn crocus, an Iris Border along the wall at the top of the garden, and a Snowdrop Walk along the east side. Finally there is the small formal Ivy Garden beside the house, where it is possible to have tea.

The garden is managed on organic principles. It is rich in wildlife, and is a haven for many species of birds. Katherine is also a skilled beekeeper, and visitors can visit the hives. Honey is usually available for purchase during the season, together with an array of jams made from the produce of the garden.

The best times to visit are April and May for a stunning display of tulips and other bulbs, June for the roses, July and August for agapanthus and clematis, and September for michaelmas daisies and heritage varieties of apple. But this is a garden for all seasons. Whenever you visit, a warm welcome awaits you at The Dower House Garden.

Open Wednesday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 2pm to 6pm. 
Open for groups by appointment only Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.