Cuckoo Hall

About Cuckoo Hall

Retired nursery owners Cliff and Gill Plowes have been awarded many RHS Gold Medals for their Ornamental Grasses. Cliff Plowes is author of ‘Ornamental Grasses: An Essential Guide’

Developed around existing semi mature trees, the garden gave the opportunity to create the garden they never had when working. A series of island beds containing mature grasses, herbaceous plants selected for shape and form, and shrubs to give a permanent structure.

Colour co-ordination has been foremost in mind during the design to give a flowing feel. A dragon statue surrounded by ornamental grasses creates a central feature. A series of wildlife ponds planted with water lilies and marginals. A bed of iris leads onto a selection of stand alone shrubs selected for colour, form and flower/berry interest.

A combined rose and clematis pergola runs alongside the house and is flanked on one side by an Astrantia bed and and mixed herbaceous, shrub bed on the other. This leads to a streamside shaded walk with appropriate planting and a view through the moongate to the woodland. A small Potager garden leads back to the main garden.

Throughout the garden smaller areas planted up as dictated by environmental conditions. Planters of various kinds utilised around the drive/house to extend garden area which is approx 1½ acres. Ground is gentle sloping in some areas but all pathways have been levelled for access.