The walled garden at Mottisfont in Hampshire is one of the UK’s most enchanting horticultural treasures. As a gardening expert, I see it as a perfect example of how thoughtful planting design can create a timeless display of colour, fragrance, and texture.
A Haven for Roses
The garden is world-famous for its National Collection of old-fashioned roses. In June, these historic varieties fill the air with perfume, their blooms spilling over brick walls and weaving through archways. They showcase the charm and resilience of heritage roses, many of which are rarely found elsewhere.
Seasonal Beauty Beyond Roses
While the roses steal the spotlight in early summer, Mottisfont’s walled garden offers interest in every season. In spring, tulips, wallflowers, and forget-me-nots provide vibrant layers of colour. Later in summer, perennials like delphiniums, salvias, and phlox add height and movement.
Design Lessons for Home Gardeners
The planting within the walled garden demonstrates clever use of structure. Tall perennials and climbers soften the walls, while mixed borders create depth. Colours are often grouped in harmonious palettes, blending pastels with bursts of stronger hues. This approach can be adapted for smaller home gardens to create a balanced, cohesive look.
Shelter and Microclimate Advantages
The high walls provide protection from wind and create a warmer microclimate, allowing more tender plants to thrive. Gardeners can mimic this effect at home by planting near walls or fences, gaining extra warmth for early flowering.
Mottisfont’s walled garden is more than a collection of plants—it is a living lesson in garden artistry, blending history, design, and seasonal rhythm. Whether you visit in person or take inspiration from afar, it offers endless ideas for bringing classic elegance into your own garden.