Waterperry Gardens

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday, blessed with sunny weather I decided to visit Waterperry gardens. Located not far from Oxford, Waterperry is a nice example of a plant centre with a show garden as part of the package. Read more about the history of the plant centre on their website linked below.

https://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk/

Well cared for plants and knowledgeable staff are what I was greeted with when I arrived.  After a wee wander around the plant centre I became really tempted to buy a Cerris I found but just managed to stop myself. It will have to wait for another day.

The entrance to the garden leads you out to look upon an amphitheatre which is open for bookings for small plays. I followed the path along the edge of a wall to come out upon a small rock garden. I decided to follow the woodland path along truth trail and river walk. This path takes you through the woods surrounding the garden and alongside a river.

Canal

Coming to the end of the path I saw an intriguing fairly new yew hedge maze. This yew hedge maze could have been a good idea but looked out of place and in need of some attention. I followed the stock beds full of Asters along to be pleasantly surprised to see a small 'Canal'. This canal features a sculpture of a young dancing girl backed by a border of reds and golds. 



Hidden behind a tall yew hedge the reflection garden stole the show with its quiet beauty and lovingly tended beds. A gem of a place to come and sit in solitude thinking about nothing in particular. The grasses and Sedum surrounding the statue of a young girl and bird give the garden an ethereal quality and twisting Wisteria alludes to year round peacefulness.

Reflection garden hidden behing a yew hedge.

Herbaceous border.

The herbaceous border and walled garden was the last stop on my trip through the garden. The herbaceous border was a great way to show off the variety of herbaceous perennials for sale in the plant centre.  Asters feature heavily in the design with purples and yellows being a prominent theme. Taller plants bring flowers to eye level with Clematis and roses climbing the wall giving even greater height. The herbaceous border splits in the middle to leads you through the walled vegetable garden and the garden exit. The walled garden houses a great selection of fruit and vegetables grown for the plant centre.
 It also has a wee surprise in store. To the side of the walled garden is the National Plant Collection of Saxifrage. I don't have much of an interest in alpine plants but these little treasures were displayed very well and clearly. I have to admit I was more enthralled by the great example of a Pinus picea at the centre of the display.  

Saxifrage collection in the walled garden.

Unfortunately I didn't have time to visit all the garden or the museum attached but I will definitely be back in the spring to see the spring bulbs shine.

Thanks for reading,

Curiously Muddy.