TV and radio gardening expert and Somerset Life columnist TOBY BUCKLAND picks his favourite local gardens to visit in summer time.
GREENCOMBE GARDENS
Nestled in woodland between the wilds of Exmoor and the choppy Bristol Channel, Greencombe Gardens is a gem. Acidic soil along with the protective canopy of deciduous trees makes it the perfect place for rhododendrons, azaleas and woodland flowers to thrive. At ground level there’s plenty for gardeners to enjoy with robust clumps of rare trilliums and dogs tooth violets happily growing in the moist mulch filled borders. It’s a garden worth getting to know just for its peaceful atmosphere and at any time of year offers an oasis of calm. greencombe.wordpress.com
COTHAY MANOR
This 15th century house is so beautifully arranged it’s like walking through a scene in the Adventures of Alice in Wonderland. There’s whimsy and charm aplenty and the garden is romantic to its core with wisteria dripping from the old stone walls and a meadow studded with wildflowers and tulips. The style is like that of Sissinghurst (but without the crowds) and blends cottage garden flowers with clipped lime, yew and box. There’s always something to see. cothaymanor.co.uk
EAST LAMBROOK MANOR
This story is from the August 2017 edition of Somerset Life.
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This story is from the August 2017 edition of Somerset Life.
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