
A Cotswold rectory garden with topiary and early spring bulbs
Take winter and early spring design and planting inspiration from this pretty country garden, packed with early flowering bulbs and evergreen structure. Photographs Jason Ingram.
This beautiful garden in the Cotswolds uses many types and forms of topiary to provide year-round interest. Early spring flowers are planted in great abundance to maximise on colour and create a thrilling display at the start of the gardening year.
In the depths of winter, structure plays a leading role in the form of topiary and hedging but as the season edges toward spring, early-flowering plants such as snowdrops and crocus introduce much needed colour.
IN BRIEF
What A Cotswold garden with strong structure and colourful planting.
Where Gloucestershire.
Soil Cotswold Brash – free-draining limestone.
Size One and three quarter acres.
Climate T150m above sea level, so colder than much of southwest England, but the frost does drain away.
Hardiness zone USDA 8.
Topiary

Topiary plays a large part in providing structure around the garden, and ranges in style from classic columns to ornate cake stand-style designs.
Focal points

To enhance the focal point in the centre of this crossroads of gravel pathways, setts have been used. A copper planter draws the eye and adds texture and maturity.
Evergreens and winter flowers

A quirky topiarised hen sets the tone for these steps lined by hellebores mixed with ferns, such as Polystichum setiferum 'Pulcherrimum Bevis'. Ramped steps with stone-edged treads are more leisurely than steep flights. A fall of 2.5cm in 30cm is reasonable and the long gaps between give you time to enjoy the planting on either side.
Planted banks

This path is only wide enough for one person to walk along, but it is perfect for enjoying the bank of Galanthus 'S. Arnott'. The path is edged with large, rough stones, which stop the soil from the bank falling on to the path. 'S. Arnott' is a large-flowered snowdrop and when it flowers it produces an incredible scent that is only intensified when planted in a confined space. Light at the end, preferably with a view, is important to stop a walk like this from feeling too enclosed.

Crocus tommasinianus spreads everywhere when happy, and looks charming planted in a wilder lawn areas such as this orchard. The appearance of purple drifts of flowering crocus, when much else is dormant, lifts the spirits.
Pots in borders

This white Brooke Pottery urn has been used to stand in for a plant that failed in this pretty part of the garden. The white glaze beautifully offsets the delicate white blooms of the naturalised snowdrops planted around it.


13 issues for £30 when you subscribe
Subscribe to Gardens Illustrated magazine and receive your first 13 issues for £30!
*UK only

Transform your Garden- Special Edition
Transform Your Garden
This special edition features advice on designing your garden from the world’s top garden designers, including top tips for redesigning your plot or creating a new garden from scratch.
Discover eight inspirational gardens in town and country, and beautiful planting ideas for year-round colour. Learn how to make the most of a small space, how to cope with a slope, and the ten most common mistakes people make, according to professional garden designers, and how to avoid them.
Enjoy insights on everything from paths and parking spaces to wildflowers and water features, so that you can be confident in starting to create the garden of your dreams.
Just £9.99 inc UK p&p
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Gardens of the Globe
From botanical wonders in Australia to tranquil havens closer to home in Ireland, let this guide help you to discover some of the most glorious gardens around the world
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.