The woodland garden and rocky outcrop

The woodland garden featuring the riverbed pathway

& rocky outcrop

The rocky outcrop was built to make an eye – catching feature alongside a narrow, very shaded pathway that leads to the side of the house.

It extends from a height of two metres and gently slopes down to the pond area where there is a water cascade. This is the only area of the garden that uses the natural soil, which is heavy clay and was enriched with good quality compost. .In the remainder of the garden all the plants are grown in pots and containers.

This gives tremendous flexibility for altering the garden layout, as well as providing all - year seasonal interest. A very narrow concrete path was designed as a dry cobbled ‘riverbed’ pathway.

A large variety of shade – loving plants now thrive in the lovely dappled light within this area.

Plants include: tree ferns, hostas, native English ferns, hellebores,

Asarum splendens (Chinese wild ginger) and five varieties of clematis are growing within the mature ivy that covers the high boundary fence.

In the spring, a large number of Fritillaria meleagris appear with other spring flowering plants

The rocky outcrop under construction

The completed rocky outcrop and Woodland garden.

View from the lower deck area

The rocky outcrop

View from the house towards the pond