The garden and grounds at Springhill

Into the meadow

The wildflower meadow at Springhill is at its best in the summer months. It is awash with bright yellow buttercups, ox-eye daisies and orchids which cannot help but make you smile, even when it's raining. This area is intentionally left uncut, allowing wild flowers to flourish.

Winding paths cut through the meadow allow you to wander among the beautiful colours and scents while listening to the buzz of the bees and watching the pretty butterflies flitting over the flowers.

At the end of summer, after the flowers have set seed, a neighbouring farmer, John Hutchinson, very kindly cuts the meadow and bales it. The removal of the vegetation at this time of year reduces the nutrients that go back into the soil, which is perfect for wild flowers as they prefer soil that is low in nutrients.

Each year there is an increase in species and over 30 varieties of meadow flowers, grasses and sedges have been counted. This species-rich grassland provides a habitat for a wide variety of species as well as an important source of pollen and nectar for bumblebees and butterflies.

Roses in the Dutch Garden

The Dutch Garden underwent an extensive restoration project and officially reopened in 2012. It now boasts over 200 roses, 80 of which were planted in 2018. Framed by four herbaceous borders which are designed to give the feeling of length to the garden, the four main rose beds each hold 45 David Austin roses.

Come and view the wonderful climbing, rambling roses that cascade down and along the garden walls, or spot those that peek through the many herbaceous plants that fill the borders with colour throughout the summer.