Formal Gardens Restoration

As you wander through our Gardens and Parkland you may notice that there are some substantial changes happening.

Our Head Gardener Andy Mills is leading a project to completely transform our Formal Gardens which will be the biggest change to our landscape in over 100 years.

He has some big aspirations and hopes to bring back the many lost features and elements of the Formal Gardens. In addition, accentuate some areas to allow them to reach their full potential with a view to our changing climate.

With one eye on the past and a bigger eye on the future, continue reading to discover a list of exciting projects you may see taking place on site:

Italian Garden (5 - 10 year project)

The Italian Garden is the Duke's private garden and does not have visitor access, although it can still be seen from Broad Gravel and The Orangery Terrace. The Italian Garden hedges have grown beyond their intended shape and size which means we have lost the intended delicate design. The hedges now require extensive cutting back which is scheduled to take place over a number of years. The topiary shapes have also become too chunky these will also be worked upon to return them to their intended shape and formality . The grey path gravel will be replaced with something that complements the Palace’s stonework and the coloured gravel within the Parterres will be refreshed with new stone closer to the original crushed London brick which was used in the earliest design. Even though the garden cannot be entered these changes will significantly enhance the view of the gardens.

The Cascades (5 - 10 year project)

Capability Brown’s Grand  Cascade has become overgrown with Cherry Laurel and other weed growth. We have begun the removal and coppicing of this where appropriate revealing more of the stonework and the waters dramatic flow over this 18^th Century feature.

Whilst opening up the view from the Cascade, we have re- discovered a small island. We intend to restore this island, re-installing the hexagonal rustic summerhouse and the two rustic bridges reconnecting this area of the Garden to the Cascade Garden forming part of a lost walk that connects to the Cascade Bridge.

Our main aim for this restoration project is to restore the Cascade area back to the grandeur that Capability Brown designed for the 4^th Duke and reconnect the opulent walk over the river developed for subsequent Dukes.

Secret Garden (5 - 10 year project)

Over the past decade, the Secret Garden has become overgrown and has obscured some of the features that used to be on show. In addition, the local wildlife has been allowed to roam freely through the area browsing on the majority of the choice plants. We have installed a fence around the perimeter to keep out the wildlife, which will protect the flora inside and allow them to grow and flourish. This is just the start of a 5-10-year project that will bring our Secret Garden back to life and restore the tranquillity our 10th Duke once strived for in his horticultural oasis.

Water Terraces (5 - 10 year project)

The Water Terraces have also become overgrown and lost their unique definition. To revive the garden, we plan to significantly reduce the hedges and restore its original design. Our Head Gardener is determined to restore the artistry of these Gardens laid out in the early 1900’s under the direction of Achille Duchene. Additionally, we are constructing a new rockery to reflect the one that Capability Brown had designed at our Cascades. Using stones sourced from the lake dredge project the rockery is set to be completed in 2025 and planted up with choice alpine shrubs, perennials, bulbs and trees.

Rose Garden (5 - 10 year project)

Our Rose Garden or Rosarium has a pond located within the centre, however, over time the pond was neglected and became difficult to maintain. The pond was filled in and planted with Roses. As part of the restoration of the Rosarium and with temperatures rising, we have decided to restore the pond and to use it for irrigation and restore its original intention, which is too cool down the air in the Rose Garden, perhaps helping the Roses to bloom for longer. The statue that stood at thew centre of the pond has been taken away for restoration and will be put back.

 In addition, the Rose beds have become too high over the years due to excessive mulch applications allowing the Roses to root out into the mulch and dry out very quickly. The Roses are now tired and past their best.

We intend to remove the roses and reduce the soil height of the beds, then we will leave the beds to remain “fallow” for a season and then replant with a collection of Roses more appropriate to the Rosariums intended design and function of the mid 1800’s when it was designed for the 7^th Duke.

Over time the gravel paths have become irregular and ill-defined. We have installed stone edging to crisp them back up and restore the formality. The metal arches had become discoloured and cumbersome with too much paint. These arches have been cleaned back and repainted ready for the Roses to be retrained over them. The exterior fence and gates will be cleaned and repainted over the next few years.

The path from the Temple of Diana to the Rosarium has been re-installed allowing our visitors to access and exit the area through the double gates which were for the Duke and his guests – rather than the single gate which is for staff.