A big, brightly planted and romantic garden

Ruth Irving, drawing inspiration from gardens worldwide, has skilfully applied her extensive plant knowledge to convert 10 acres of Al Ru farmland into a vibrant and creatively designed garden filled with an array of colours.

A number of distinct spaces are all richly planted to provide interest and structure and to ensure the garden is never without flowers throughout the seasons. November is brimming with alstroemeria, campanula, tradescantia, phlomis, roses, day lilies, allium, hollyhocks, arthropodium and loads more. The layers of flower and foliage colour, textures and shapes are arranged to create bold colourful contrast, as well as to blend and harmonise.

The green lawn by the homestead is dotted with tiny white daisies and shaded by big old ash trees. Beyond, planted with wisteria and climbing roses, is a wide arch leading to the ‘wedding garden’ with more white roses and black lattice work.

Meandering paths wind through a woodland past pretty, old-fashioned campanulas, aquilegias and head-high Queen Anne’s Lace. Recently, after battling with birds snapping off the new shoots in the formal rose garden, Ruth turned adversity to opportunity and behind the crisply cut hedges that edge the beds, she has replanted a soft billowing mix of colour coordinated perennials, grasses and tall purple allium.

As well, there is an exuberantly planted meadow garden, a silver border, lily pond, lake, garden statues and urns, swimming pool and outbuildings including a charming greenhouse, the barn and a garden pavilion.