For more than six hundred years, the fine early Tudor house known as Coughton Court, just north of Stratford-upon-Avon, has been home to the Throckmorton family. In order to find out a little more about the glorious gardens at Coughton Court, I was fortunate to be able to ask Imogen Birch Throckmorton for some additional background information.
In 1946, the mansion, village and estate were gifted to the National Trust by Magnus Birch Throckmorton’s great, great grandmother Lady Lillian. The family became leaseholders and continued to live in and run the house until Magnus’ grandmother became unwell. The National Trust stepped in for the last 20 years, then earlier this year, the National Trust returned the management of the property to the family.
Magnus Birch Throckmorton said: "It's a privilege to be continuing our family's stewardship of this remarkable place, and to share its fantastic history and beauty with the public.”
When Magnus’s grandmother Clare inherited the House and the Gardens in 1989, the gardens were low maintenance; largely evergreen shrubs and lawns, with the Walled Garden completely abandoned. Since then, the 25-acre gardens have been restored, revitalised, and replanted, by Christina Williams, Magnus Birch Throckmorton's mother, along with Magnus’ wife Imogen, assisted by two full time and four part-time gardeners.
I started our conversation by asking Imogen what the main challenges had been at the outset, thirty years ago.
“The garden had been laid to lawns and shrubberies after the war, so it was a relatively blank canvas with excellent bone. The Tudor house, a walled garden, two churches, a lake, a river, and a view out to the rolling Warwickshire hills are a wonderful setting for a garden and a designer’s dream. Improving the soil from thin, sandy river soil which is quite alkaline was more of a challenge.
Over the last 25 years firstly Christina’s, then my ideas, have been realised and the gardens brought back to life. Back in 1997 we received a Silver Gilt medal from the Daffodil Society for our spectacular Daffodil Garden which has over a million bulbs creating a carpet of flowers each spring. There is also a later Daffodil Garden, commissioned by Mrs McLaren Throckmorton, created to celebrate the 600th anniversary of Throckmortons at Coughton Court. A few years later, in 2006, we were awarded Garden of Excellence from the World Federation of Rose Societies for our Rose Labyrinth garden, and we were the first garden in the UK to win this award.
The Rose Labyrinth garden was created in the magnificent grounds of this historic house in 1996 by Christina as a gift to her mother, Clare McLaren-Throckmorton. It has been recognised as one of the finest rose gardens in the world and situated within the Walled Garden, the Rose Labyrinth has over 200 different varieties of shrub, climbing and rambling roses which include Damasks, Albas, Teas and Noisettes, Floribundas and many old-fashioned English Roses. They grow in mixed borders with herbaceous under-planting. The breathtaking array of styles and scents make this rose garden something incredibly special. At the centre of the Labyrinth stands a statue of Fair Rosamund surrounded by the historic rose, Rosa Mundi. Rosamund Clifford was the lover of King Henry II and was poisoned in the labyrinth at Woodstock by the jealous Queen Eleanor.”
Which areas of the garden initiated the garden make-over?
Back in 1991, the redesigning of the Courtyard Garden together with the lawns beyond took first priority. Loosely basing the design on that of an Elizabethan knot garden, which echoes the property’s Tudor architecture, Christina designed the quatrefoil pool. Much care has been taken to create the impression of symmetry in what is – in reality – a highly asymmetric space.
Planting in this area is quite difficult because some is in full sun and other areas are in deep shade. There is also a desire for long lasting colour with strong plants leading to the Alchemilla mollis and Nepeta faassenii being chosen, together with Rosa White Pet shrub roses. These have a long season and were chosen also for their strong scent in this relatively windless spot. Unfortunately, since this area was initially created, we have had to remove the box hedging because of disease. However, the lime avenues and new hedging have two small sunken gardens planted for maximum colour – silver and gold. And going through the door, the visitor is surprised by the walled garden, designed for maximum colour from March to the end of November.
How did the Ladies Garden and Gentleman's Walk get their names?
The scenic Gentleman’s Walk is where the gentleman reputedly walked in the summer after dinner with their cigars. A gardener, Clare Bolt, produced the idea of calling an area we had redesigned the Ladies Garden as it faces the Gentleman’s Walk, and we felt the ladies needed a mention! The Ladies Garden provides a more expansive, open experience with views across the estate’s lake, towards the church. It has more contemporary squares with different planting. In the centre are Prunus serrula (Tibetan cherry), terracotta pots and Stipa gigantea, the giant grass.
What is the size of the Orchard, and approximately when were the heritage varieties planted?
It is about 1.145 acres and comprises two orchards, planted in 1992 using local historic varieties of plum, apples and quinces. From March to the end of May, it has a flowering meadow full of Crocus, Anemones, Muscari, Camassia, Tulips, Ornithogalum and Fritillary meleagris which complements the fruit tree blossoms.
What other parts of the garden can visitors enjoy?
The Herbaceous Borders, approximately 40m long and 43m deep, are a nod to traditional, old fashioned, high maintenance borders filled with perennials. They are planted for maximum impact after the first flush of roses finish until the first frosts. The hot border key plants are Dahlias Crazy Legs, Pooh and Ragged Robin, Cannas, Aeonium, Helenium, Salvias and Euphoria. In the cool border the key plants are Gaura, Perovskia, Salvias both woody and herbaceous, Gypsophila and Veronicastrum, with pops of colours from Lychnis Hill Grounds. Achillea Goldplate, Heuchera and Salvias link the two borders together.
There is also an ornamental Vegetable Garden, with lattice pruned apple screens, kiwi arch and arches with clematis and grape vines, providing vegetables, herbs and fruit for the cafe.
The Bog Garden, on the site of an old lake, contains plants like Gunnera, Astilbes, Iris sibirica, Primula and Angelicas. Walk across the boardwalks and immerse yourself in a more relaxed, natural atmosphere created by the trees and moisture loving plants.
What, in your opinion, makes a visit to the gardens at Coughton Court so memorable?
The Green architectural formal gardens, orchards and riverside walks contrast beautifully with the explosion of colour in the walled garden and bog garden ensuring there is always something beautiful to enjoy. The unique Rose Labyrinth means visitors can get up close to the roses and smell them and can feel lost in the winding paths.
We have worked hard to ensure that, from the earliest daffodils to the spring bulbs in the blossom-filled orchard and borders, there is colour throughout the seasons. This continues through the tulip displays and into early summer with irises and peonies before roses and the bog garden take centre stage. From July to November, the herbaceous borders reach their peak, maintaining a rich and vibrant display.
And finally, which part of the garden is the must-see?
The Walled Garden, opened by Alan Titchmarsh in 1996, is undoubtedly the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Coughton Court gardens. It comprises a series of ‘garden rooms,’ which provide a range of garden experiences, including the Red Garden, White Garden, Rose Labyrinth, Early Summer Garden, Pool Garden, and Hot and Cool Garden – a riot of colour provided by two magnificent herbaceous borders, dedicated to the memory of Professor Alphonsus d’Abreu, father of Clare McLaren-Throckmorton, who passed in 2017.
Open all year round, gardens are open from 10am until 4.30pm Wednesday to Sunday and the house is open from at 10.30am until 4pm. To find out more visit coughtoncourt.co.uk.
