With the help of one gardener two days a week and a specialist to rebuild the dry stone walls, we were to see the fruits of our labour appear by early 1986. We concentrated our initial efforts largely on the formal garden, but cleared and fertilised the kitchen garden in order to have space for division of rare plants and growing for seed collecting. The Nuttery and the Orchard, which border the formal garden, were also slowly cleared and are now important features in the complete garden.

Rose Garden & Walls 1984

Rose Garden & Walls 1998

Work on the Wild garden was slower to take effect. We spent the first year clearing, cutting down trees and scrub, grinding the stumps and making enormous bonfires of the debris. In order to establish exactly where certain groups of plants and trees were to be planted we laid out the entire area in ten foot grids. The pond, which had almost disappeared under a thicket of brambles and scrub, was re-dug and made waterproof. Trees and roses were planted and winding grass paths were mown through the long grasses. To our delight some of the original drifts of Jekyll's daffodils reappeared as soon as the ground was cleared of the massive undergrowth.

Formal Garden 1998

In just under five acres Upton Grey holds examples of almost every aspect of gardening art. In the wild garden, Jekyll allows nature more freedom than on the formal side. There is a small woodland area of walnut trees and a pond surrounded by planted rocks. Rambling roses festoon the entrance of sweeping grass steps and mown grass paths lead through wilder planting as the garden gives onto the open countryside. The formal garden is geometric, has only straight lines and is enclosed in yew hedges. The hot borders hold plants in drifts with colours moving from cool at either end to hot in the centre. The steps that run from the walled terraces are shallow and scented plants like rosemary, lavender and dianthus border their edges. The heavy oak pergola, too, carries scented plants as well as strong foliage and glorious rambling roses. This is a garden which demonstrates both the importance of art in nature and the talent of Gertrude Jekyll.