Video Tour

Malcolm Pharoah, the head gardener at Marwood Hill, talks about the history of the garden, pointing out a variety of his favourite features. A variety of footage gives an impression of the Marwood Hill experience. This video requires that Quicktime be installed on your computer (it's provided freely by Apple Computer). Either click the image of Malcolm, or here to start the video

The Gardening Year

The gardening year starts in February with masses of Snowdrops welcoming the early spring. These are followed by daffodils and later bluebells.

During March and April the large collection of Magnolias is at its best and together with CamelliasRhododendrons and Cherry blossom,makes a riot of colour for Easter time.

In May the alpines and early flowering herbaceous plants begin to flower. Around the lakes and streams drifts of colourful Primulas are starting to give several months of colour.

A large bog garden linked to the lakes is a haven for moisture loving plants such as Astilbes, Iris, Hostas and Ligularias. A large pergola is covered with Wisteria, roses and Clematis.

During the summer months, the areas around the walled garden are a mass of colourful blooms and the walls are draped with Clematis.

As autumn approaches the hardy cyclamen around the bases of the trees start to produce their pink and white flowers. While above, the autumn tints of the trees leaves, give one last riot of colour.

History

The creator of the gardens was Dr James Smart VMH. who moved to Marwood in 1949. The land that is now Marwood Hill Gardens consisted then of an old broken down walled garden and a few fruit trees. The rest of the land was pastureland with a small stream running through the valley.

Between 1960 and 1970 many trees and shrubs were planted in the 8 acres that was then the gardens.

In 1968 the stream was dammed to make two lakes and the surrounds were planted a wide variety of moisture loving plants such as, Primulas, Astilbes, Iris and Hemerocallis. In the middle of the large lake is an island on which is a sculpture of a mother and two children.

At this time a large greenhouse was erected in the walled garden and planted with camellias. These give a spectacular display in March and April.

In 1975 the adjoining field down the valley was purchased and developed and planted.

The lowest lake was constructed in 1982 and the Folly and scented arbour in 1986. The final slope being planted with trees and shrubs in 1988 onwards.

A further two acres adjoining was purchased and has extended the stream garden and new plantings of grasses and perennials have recently been added.

Dr Smart died in 2002 and his nephew, Dr John Snowdon has inherited the house and gardens and more new developments are planned for the gardens in the future.