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Mendip Hill Farm

Dawson’s Farm, High in the Mendip Hills over four years I developed the planting at this charming ancient farmstead from scratch. The owners loved the stark stonework and wild grassy edges of the ruined barns and outhouses but still wanted the feeling of gardened spaces in a few key areas such as outside the front door and in an enclosed barn courtyard with the feel of a secret garden.

 
In narrow borders simple plants like these Bowles Mauve wallflowers and bearded iris were chosen for their dusky foliage which blends seamlessly with the stone. The planting is just enough to soften the edges and make mowing more straightforward.

In narrow borders simple plants like these Bowles Mauve wallflowers and bearded iris were chosen for their dusky foliage which blends seamlessly with the stone. The planting is just enough to soften the edges and make mowing more straightforward.

 
Foxgloves, cow parsley, phlomis and Sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata): Tough but elegant planting which looks like it has always been there.

Foxgloves, cow parsley, phlomis and Sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata): Tough but elegant planting which looks like it has always been there.

With such lovely views of the fields beyond all this terrace needed was a super simple treatment with some topiary to draw attention to the steps and a firm bit of pruning of the rambling rose so it didn’t interrupt the vista.

With such lovely views of the fields beyond all this terrace needed was a super simple treatment with some topiary to draw attention to the steps and a firm bit of pruning of the rambling rose so it didn’t interrupt the vista.

 
Wildflowers were particularly apt in this rural location. We seeded corners of the enclosures that were too tricky to mow.

Wildflowers were particularly apt in this rural location. We seeded corners of the enclosures that were too tricky to mow.

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