Coton Manor
Coton Manor is a beautiful traditional English garden centred around a honey-coloured
17thC manor house. In the 1920s the present owner’s grandparents began developing
the garden and successive generations have continued this process to the present
day, making best use of its natural setting which provides stunning views across
the Northamptonshire countryside.
Close to the house, terraces and borders are filled with plants such as Alchemilla
mollis, Centranthus rubra, Euphorbia and Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ and
throughout the year large pots are changed with the seasons using Tulips, Agapanthus,
Lilies and Osteospermums. But perhaps it is the climbers such as Wisteria and Clematis
grandiflora covering the walls of the house that at their peak, provide a stunning
backdrop to the rest of the planting.
In 2005 the owners took the difficult decision to clear the Old Rose Garden next
to the house as problems with rose sickness had become too difficult to overcome
(perhaps not surprising as it is thought roses had been grown in this location since
the 1920s). It was decided to replant with specimens that enjoy sun and good drainage
so the subsoil was replaced with gravel, the original top soil replaced and the
whole area thoroughly dug over. Planting now includes Lavender, Agapanthus, Sedums
and Salvias. Some of the new plants are tender and only time will tell which will
thrive and which will need to be replaced.
Water forms a large part of the charm of this garden and on arrival one of the first
views is of a large spring-fed informal pond surrounded by grass and mature trees
but this is just the first of many water features. One of the most spectacular is
the formal rill bordered by closely mown grass set amongst old apple trees underplanted
with spring flowering bulbs, Cowslips and Snakeshead fritillaries. The contrast
of the formal and informal in this area was a brave design move yet it works surprisingly
well. Although of considerable age the trees are still productive and the apples
and pears are used for making jams and chutneys in the shop and for puddings in
the Garden School.
The garden makes full use of its site at the top of the hill, not just in its views,
but also in how it uses its supply of water. The main pond supplies the water garden
which meanders its way down the hillside and provides something of interest for
much of the year including Primula, Ligularia, Caltha, Astilbe, Acer and Hosta.
On a warm sunny day this cool shady area contrasts nicely with the hot terraces
above.
Coton Manor is lucky enough to have two examples of the most wonderful sites in
the plant world: a Bluebell wood and a wild flower meadow. Visiting the garden in
the second week of May 2010 on a beautiful sunny day the Bluebells were looking
spectacular beneath the Beech trees. There are no Spanish invaders, no other understorey
planting to spoil the effect, just lovely English Bluebells. The recently planted
wildflower meadow has recently been added to provide conservation interest in the
garden. In May Buttercups provide the first splash of colour with the meadow really
coming into its own during June and July with Ox-eye daises, Meadow crane’s
bill, Ragged robin, Common vetch and Yellow rattle, followed by Knapweed, Field
scabious, Birds-foot trefoil, Wild carrot, Yarrow and Lady’s bedstraw. A meandering
path cut into the meadow allows visitors to wander at leisure in amongst the flowers
and insects attracted to their nectar.
One of the most practical sides of this garden is that most of the plants are clearly
labelled so the visitor can make a nlabelled so the visitor can make a note of their
favourites and perhaps even purchase a specimen from the well-stocked nursery. Those
gardeners who would like to learn more about gardening would do well to check out
the Garden School which runs half and full day courses on a variety of topics often
presented by lecturers who are top of their field such as Fergus Garrett, James
Alexander-Sinclair and Bunny Guiness.
This garden can certainly both inspire and educate the visitor: it would not be
difficult to recreate planting combinations in smaller back gardens while at the
same time the continuing redevelopment gives the garden the opportunity to take
account of some of today’s ‘hot topics’ such as planting for biodiversity
and climate change.
Coton Manor is located near Junction 1 of the A14 at Coton, Northamptonshire, NN6
8RQ.
www.cotonmanor.co.uk
© Sharon
Brown 3rd June 2010