Tag: water garden

Beth Chatto Water Garden

A short walk onto the cool, emerald-green grass of the Water Garden feels like stepping into another climate. In stark contrast to the hot, arid Gravel Garden, this area features lush, moisture-loving plants.

Ominous clouds as I stepped into the water garden.
Still lots of colour.

It’s a calming space full of large, dramatic foliage and deserving of a visit on a hot day as the temperature by the water is several degrees cooler than the rest of the Gardens.

Although my garden is on the wet side these plants would be far too large.
One of the ponds
Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata), also known as Giant Pickerel Weed

They use the boat to clear the ponds
Thalia dealbata – the architectural leaves remain but the flower stems are removed as the flowers trap pollinators.
Goldenrods (Solidago) are herbaceous perennials known for their bright yellow flower plumes that typically bloom in late summer through early autumn.

Ornamental grasses are used throughout this garden area too.
Several types of asters, such as Aster tataricus, Eurybia radula, Aster pyrenaeus ‘Lutetia’, and Symphyotrichum ‘Prairie Purple’ and ‘Primrose Path’, are specifically mentioned as being grown or sold at Beth Chatto’s Gardens.
More ornamental grasses and the purple heads of Eutrochium purpureum, also known as Sweet-Scented Joe-Pye Weed, features large, flat-domed heads of pink-purple flowers on sturdy stems, and is attractive to butterflies.

My visit to this area of the gardens was cut short due to a very heavy rainburst, but fortunately the sun did reappear and I was able to continue my ramble. I have only ever seen these gardens in September. I wonder what they are like at other times of the year. The Woodland for instance is probably best in spring with the bulbs, at this time of year I only saw colchiums (Also call ‘Naked ladies’ as they appear in autumn without leaves) and some patches of cyclamen. Sadly flattened by the rain so no photos.

Sadly this is the end of my series on Beth Chatto’s Gardens, I hope you have enjoyed the visit and I recommend it if you are ever in the Colchester area.