Babbs Farm

About Babbs Farm

Since moving in 1990 to our three windswept acres of thick limey clay on the Somerset Levels, we have gradually created a garden in the 1½ acres nearest the house, a haven for ourselves and a variety of wildlife. Through extensive soil conditioning with manure and grit we now have several interconnected formal and informal areas, for plants with diverse requirements. Those which flourish in rich damp conditions, including Aruncus, Hostas, Rheums, Siberian Irises, Cimicifugas and Thalictrums, seem particularly to appreciate our efforts. Although there are plenty of flowers to enjoy throughout the year, we have chosen shrubs and herbaceous perennials for their shape and foliage, in bold, flowing borders.
A conservatory of shade-loving tender plants looks onto the south facing patio and Round Lawn, a sanctuary sheltered on three sides and featuring large structural shrubs (golden dogwood, Cercis, tree peony, golden philadelphus) closely under-planted with herbaceous perennials.
The more formal Round Pond has sun-lovers on the house side, and Rodgersias and Rheums in the damp shade under the willow.
Through an arch in the privet hedge is the formal Box Garden of four rectangular beds, each centred by a tiered Cornus alternifolia variegata.
The Woodland Bed, where we are establishing a middle canopy of Cornus kousa under the ash trees and over ferns and other shade-lovers, leads on to the recently planted Field of Trees, a wildlife pond and bog garden. Our latest project (still in development) is to turn some of the ‘long grass’ areas in the Field of Trees into Mediterranean-style borders.
Come in May and June to see hostas and rheums at their pristine best, along with the early salvias and Eryngiums, and in September for the later tender salvias, Persicarias, Sanguisorbas, Vernonias and all manner of yellow daisies.

Plants for sale if circumstances allow. Many unusual Salvias, especially in late summer. A garden with a restful atmosphere and attractive vistas.