Upper Gorwell House

About Upper Gorwell House

The Tulip tree just inside the field gate was the first thing I planted in early 1977, having to erect a stockade against the bullocks whose reach was amazing. Several trees followed in 1979 – magnolias, a Sweet Chestnut, a red flowered Horse Chestnut, the Cedar of Lebanon and the Blue Atlantic cedar on the old tennis court, among others.

I discovered that not only was there a favoured maritime microclimate, but also all the high south facing walls enabled very tender plants to be grown. The rainfall is about 40 ins per annum. In a typical winter our minimum night temperatures are above freezing with lows of down to -2 to -5C but only for one or two nights at a time. The frost never penetrates. Unfortunately, the severe winter of 2009/2010 decimated the very tender plants, but now regeneration and replanting carries on.

Within a strict design, I have planted many unusual plants to see if they would grow and in spite of the inevitable losses, a great many have. Over the years I have obtained plants from many specialist nurseries and knowledgeable friends, building up the collection you see today. It is continually being added to as new plants are introduced and become available. In 1997 following a trip to Chile, the garden became one of the trial outposts for Chilean plants from the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. Plants from there include Citronella Mucronata, Pilgerodendron Uviferum and various Myrtles. There are many unusual and rarely seen plants from other parts of the world. From Asia, Sassafras Tzumu, Cinnamomum Japonica, Eriobotrya Deflexa, and various Scheffleras; from the Antipodes, Grevilleas, Pseudopanax varieties, Pittosporum Eugenioides and Cordyline Indivisa. There are many different species of palm tree, a great many magnolias (a particular love of mine) including the recently introduced evergreen species formerly known as Michelias/Mangletias etc., smaller shrubs and herbaceous plants, bulbs and alpines. A plant collecting trip to Sichuan in the mountains near Tibet in June 2004 has produced more additions to the collection, as have plants collected by botanist friends given to me over the years.

Dotted about the garden are various Follies – a small temple was the first, followed by an octagonal summerhouse, obelisk, urns and a decorated shell grotto – entrance complete, interior chamber yet to be built! A large round domed temple dedicated to Pan was completed in 2004.