UK garden designer Arne Maynard has never met a walled garden he didn't like. And with good reason. The structure and severity that stone imposes is just stern enough to cut the sweetness of his romantic, wild plantings.
Consider his Maynard's thoughtful overhaul of a 17th century stone farmhouse and its walled garden in Devon. Over the centuries, the garden's design had gone wrong as owners moved gates and entryways and paths—gradually, but insidiously—until the result was a sprawl that seemed to have little purpose.
Maynard fixed that, by restoring the main path that leads to the house and designing a new, custom oak gate (inspired by woodwork inside the house) that looks 300 years old. Lift the latch, and let's visit the garden:
Photographs via Tuinenstruinen except where noted.
Above: To complement the centuries-old farmhouse, Maynard commissioned a new gate to give the entryway presence. He planted espaliered pear trees on the courtyard wall, in effect creating a second, "outer" courtyard.
Above: Photograph via Arne Maynard.
In the front courtyard, Maynard planted lavender, violas, geraniums, and mature yew topiaries.
Above: A courtyard fountain.
Above: Allium and spiky purple lupine flourish in a garden that encourages herbaceous flowers to go a little wild (in reaction to the fussiness of the topiaries and espaliers).
Above: Lavender and yew edge a walkway.
Above: The kitchen garden has raised beds and oak fruit cages.
Above: Meadows of wildflowers surround the house.
Above: In the inner courtyard, Maynard planted espaliered pear trees.
Above: Photograph via Arne Maynard.
A climbing rose is trained against the stone wall.
Above: The formality of the architecture and stone walls is softened by drifts of wildflowers.
Above: The rolling hills provide a painterly backdrop for the garden.
For more of Arne Maynard's gardens, see:
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