News

: Created: 07 August 2020

Malcolm Pharoah is awarded Plant Heritage’s prestigious Brickell Award 2020

The National Collection Holder grows over 200 cultivars of Astilbe at Marwood Hill Garden, Devon

Horticultural charity Plant Heritage is delighted to award north Devon-based Malcolm Pharoah, with their prestigious Brickell Award 2020, for his National Plant Collection of Astilbe held at Marwood Hill Gardens.

The Brickell Award (named after Plant Heritage’s founding member and current Vice-President Chris Brickell) recognises excellence in cultivated plant conservation, and celebrates the extensive conservation work achieved by one of the charity’s 400+ National Collection Holders each year.

Watch the Bricknell Award Ceremony video with Jonathon Webster,Vice Chairman of Plant Heritage’s Plant Conservation Committee interviewing Malcolm Pharoah on this special day

: Created: 10 March 2020

Following current Government advice about Coronavirus (COVID-19), we opened the gardens on the 15th March as scheduled.

If there are any changes to the current recommendations from the WHO or the Government, we will review and react to their instructions promptly. The website will be updated immediately.

Updated 16th March 2020

We are monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation carefully and regularly, and following advice and guidelines set by Government.

The health and safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff is our number one priority.We ask our visitors to refer to the guidelines and protocols as suggested by the World Health Organization, and UK public health authorities regarding the virus.

We are following local and national public health closely. Dependent on national health guidelines, measures typically include:

Public health messaging displayed.
Strengthened hygiene, sanitisation, availability of disinfectants

: Created: 03 January 2020

Back

One man's weed....

Haloragis erecta ‘Wellington Bronze’

Whilst cutting back the herbaceous borders on a very drizzly December morning. The garden team came across this unusual plant, unlabeled, it was found growing together with a beautiful silver leaved Astelia. This unknown plant has coarsely toothed attractive brownish-bronze leaves and burgundy stems. The silver-bronze combination looked great. After further investigation, this mystery plant revealed itself to be the rarely seen New Zealand plant Haloragis erecta ‘Wellington Bronze’, commonly known as raspwort. It was planted by a past head gardener and duly forgotten about.
Endemic to New Zealand, Haloragis erecta grows as a pioneer plant spreading through forest clearings, on cliffs, banks, roadsides, unkempt gardens and wasteland within urban areas often considered a weed. At Marwood it grows in an open sunny aspect. Despite being little seen in cultivation this plant is easily propagated from cuttings, the team have taken a few to grow on, which will hopefully make fine additions to our future pot displays.

Back

: Created: 29 October 2019

This month we have welcomed our new Head Gardener, Matthew Brewer to Marwood Hill Gardens.

Matthew comes to Marwood Hill Gardens from RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate. Below is a brief introduction to Matthew outlining the skills and experience he is bringing to Marwood.

: Created: 04 September 2019

Indigofera howellii 'Reginald Cory' A very rare shrub with pink spikes of pea-like flowers from early June to November. Native of China. In glorious flower now in the garden.

: Created: 17 August 2019

In late summer the garden provides a final burst of glorious colour before the quieter autumn shades appear - don't miss these treasures on your next visit.

: Created: 02 August 2019

Back

A Taste of Honey this summer

Local beekeeper Lynne Dougall has set up a number of bee hives here at Marwood Hill Gardens and the first crop of this year's honey is now in stock in our gift shop.

: Created: 02 August 2019

Back

With the hydrangeas in full bloom and the astilbes a riot of colour, now is an ideal time to visit the gardens.

: Created: 26 July 2019

When you are walking along the north side of the Bottom Lake, look out for the burnt sugar fragrance from the stately Cercidiphyllum japonicum pendulumin.