“There's One Surprise After Another”

This leafy suburban garden is a voyage of discovery, with views and vistas at every turn.Theresa-Mary Morton treats us to a tour.

High on a ridge above Wimbledon Common, this leafy suburban garden is a picture of soothing greens in spring, offset by throngs of vivid tulips. “I’ve used structural evergreens such as yew and box to divide the open space into rooms, so you can’t see the entire garden at once,” explains owner Theresa-Mary Morton. “Instead, you progress between the rooms on a journey to discover one surprise after another.

“Different views open up as you go – the knot garden, for instance, is completely hidden until you pass through a gap in the yew hedge. And there’s a hidden auricula theatre, sculptures positioned up blind alleys and lots of sitting areas, including a wooden tree seat in the woodland area.”

The garden unfolds from the house along grass and gravel paths. “There’s a sunny brick patio surrounded by two raised brick flower beds packed with tulips in spring, then steps to a path under a wooden pergola that leads to a yew circle surrounding a small lawn. This leads to some open grass and winding paths that venture onwards to a summerhouse and formal pond. Furthest from the house is the woodland garden. It’s amazing what you can do with a rectangle!”

Theresa-Mary has been gardening here since she was a child. “It’s always been the family home, since my father died in 1957 and my mother downsized to live here.