Bath Hillside — Neil Ross Gardens

IMG_20190925_164428521_HDR (2).jpg

IMG_20191023_115143771 (3).jpg

IMG_2658+%282%29+-+Copy.jpg

IMG_20191023_112331816 (3).jpg

IMG_20191023_104223698 (2).jpg

IMG_20191023_114538347_HDR (2).jpg

IMG_20200715_163958268_HDR (2).jpg

IMG_20191204_145522930_HDR (2).jpg

IMG_20190710_162255442_HDR (2).jpg

IMG_20200701_115141611_HDR (2).jpg

IMG_20200527_130734254 (2).jpg

20180321_144942+%282%29.jpg

IMG_20191023_112831373_HDR (2).jpg

Bath Hillside

Not content with amazing views down into Bath, The owners have spent the last twelve years taming the steep slopes of the Georgian property they renovated and brought back to life and have created a dramatic and varied garden which they love. When I arrived five years ago, the bones of the place - huge beech trees - staircases, waterfalls and lookouts were all in place, so I have set about refining and enriching the planting - developing colour themes and prairie-style banks giving way to newly established wildflower meadows. Within the looseness of the lower garden the team I work with has tamed the slopes and after suggesting one last grand staircase to help the garden flow I created a circle-garden as a destination and one last surprise to discover as you tumble down the hill towards the woods beyond.

BEFORE New staircases flow down to the circle garden. The ribbons and swirls being laid out with bamboo canes are based on the patternation of fields beyond. — BEFORE New staircases flow down to the circle garden. The ribbons and swirls being laid out with bamboo canes are based on the patternation of fields beyond.

AFTER Seen through veils of Cortaderia richardii - swirls of low and long-flowering plants like sedums, salvias and Mexican Fleabane (Erigeron) — AFTER Seen through veils of Cortaderia richardii - swirls of low and long-flowering plants like sedums, salvias and Mexican Fleabane (Erigeron)

May: Swirling tapestry with a wild feel which melts into the views beyond. Chosen are Stipa tenuissima, Salvia nemerosa ‘Caradonna’ — May: Swirling tapestry with a wild feel which melts into the views beyond. Chosen are Stipa tenuissima, Salvia nemerosa ‘Caradonna’

Verbascum chaixii echoes the grandeur of Verbascum olympicum on the slopes beyond. These buttery candles really enliven the landscape and provide a link to the verticality of the cypress trees behind. The excavated bank allows for a generous seat while the course rocks rescued from earth-moving have been re-used to create a textural riverbed effect - best seen in winter. — Verbascum chaixii echoes the grandeur of Verbascum olympicum on the slopes beyond. These buttery candles really enliven the landscape and provide a link to the verticality of the cypress trees behind. The excavated bank allows for a generous seat while the course rocks rescued from earth-moving have been re-used to create a textural riverbed effect - best seen in winter.

The effect of a mini-meadow with sedum ( Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’) and emerging Gaura and Dianthus carthusianorum. — The effect of a mini-meadow with sedum ( Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’) and emerging Gaura and Dianthus carthusianorum.

Sedum and stipa chosen as much for their winter tenacity as for their summer froth.

Prairie-style planting on a small-scale has successfully replaced what was a fiddly little lawn slope that was difficult to mow. Black cow-parsley, thalictrums and Allium ‘Purple Rain’ kick-off a long performance. — Prairie-style planting on a small-scale has successfully replaced what was a fiddly little lawn slope that was difficult to mow. Black cow-parsley, thalictrums and Allium ‘Purple Rain’ kick-off a long performance.

Cephalaria gigantea at its best hovering above a new blue and yellow themed border. — Cephalaria gigantea at its best hovering above a new blue and yellow themed border.