Mill House in May

This enticing one-acre garden rests behind a 500-year-old, listed mill house which is skirted by a millstream. Enclosed in walls and a tall leylandii hedge, the west-facing plot is dominated by a gigantic bowler hat topiarised from an ancient holly. All around, curving, colour-themed borders are filled with tulips rising above perennials yet to come. In one corner sits a summerhouse, with lovely views over the garden, towards the house and a border dubbed ‘The Clash’ because the intended pink tulips turned out to be orange — not an ideal match for pink camellias and hellebores! The neighbouring border positively glows in the evening light, with orange tulips standing tall amongst dark ligularia leaves, honesty, box and ornamental grasses.