It takes a special garden to shine out on a grey, overcast October day but Bourton House Garden is such a place.
I always love visiting not just because it’s a great garden to unwind in but because the wide range of plants means there’s plenty to discover.
The plant display begins before you even enter the main garden. Pots of often tender, exoctic things are grouped outside the entrance. A real feast of colour and texture.
Bourton House Garden has long been on my radar as somewhere with really good late summer colour and, even this late into October, it didn’t disappoint.
Head gardener Jacky Rae and her team are keeping a close watch on the forecast and, so far, have been able to leave their tender treasures in the borders. Providing the weather stays mild, they won’t be brought under cover before the garden has its final 2020 open day on October 30.
It’s been a season shortened by Covid – the garden, which usually opens in April, didn’t start until mid-June. Despite that, visitor numbers have been good no doubt because it’s such an inspiring garden but also because the three acres gives everyone plenty of space.
There have been other niggles. Box blight, which has plagued the Knot Garden for some time, has now been found on hedges elsewhere. A programme of spraying is planned.
Meanwhile, a dahlia turns out not to be the one ordered. However, the resulting plant combination is still good.
“It’s supposed to be ‘Karma Fiesta’,” explains Jacky, “but it still works and the colours fit together well.”
The White Garden is still full of flower, among them Japanese anemones, Dahlia ‘Water Lily White’ and penstemon.
In complete contrast, the Vitis coignetiae is ablaze with fiery colour.
There’s also plenty to see in the raised walk, including a lovely salvia that caught my eye.
A plant that’s been causing a lot of comment among visitors was donated by a couple who regularly visit the garden. Isoplexis (Digitalis) canariensis has striking burnt orange flowers, a real beauty.
It’s one of the many tender plants in the hot border that runs down one side of the main lawn.
Others include cannas, aeonium, the red and orange Cuphea cyanea, and a dainty oxalis with yellow flowers set against dark brown leaves.
Less showy but just as interesting is Pennisetum ‘Black Beauty’. The flowers are very dark, almost black, and extremely tactile.
I also rather liked the pretty pink and white flowers on this Persicaria campanulatum. They certainly shone out on a dull day.
I left after an enjoyable afternoon with yet more plants on my ‘must buy’ list and not a little pot envy!
Bourton House Garden at Bourton-on-the-Hill is open Tuesdays to Fridays, 10-5pm until the end of October 30, 2020. More information here.
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