Malverleys

If you read Gardens Illustrated you'll have seen the recent features by Matthew Reese on container combinations. Matthew is the Head Gardener at Malverleys in Berkshire. The garden isn't open to the public, but I was fortunate enough to go there on a visit with the WFGA. It's an amazing garden - experimental and exciting, with some really interesting planting. Matthew worked at Great Dixter for six years, and continues the spirit of experimentation with his use of self-seeders and an emphasis on successional planting. One of the borders was comprised almost entirely of annuals, including Antirrhinum 'Cinnamon Spice' (a tall Antirrhinum), Diascia personata and Orlaya grandiflora. Iwas too busy taking notes to get many photos, but here's one I did get. It's the terrace, laid in such a way to encourage self-seeders such as Hordeum jubatum and Dianthus spp.