Matthew Reese's detailed guide for crafting an exquisite English flower border garden
In the picturesque Hampshire countryside, Malverleys Gardens blooms with a vibrant English flower garden, skillfully tended by head gardener Matthew Reese. Drawing inspiration from the English flower garden style and the 19th-century naturalistic garden designer William Robinson, Reese has created a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape that delights visitors throughout the seasons.
The border at Malverleys Gardens is a symphony of contrasting shapes, with spheres of alliums harmoniously coexisting with the delicate spires of veronica. The design prioritizes a mix of annuals and perennials, including Veronica exaltata, Helenium 'Waltraut', Geranium psilostemon, Agrostemma gracile, Dianthus carthusianorum, Nigella, Papaver rhoeas 'Amazing Grey', Veronica, Veronicastrum, Allium, Erodium manescavii, Hordeum jubatum 'Pink 14 Form', Glebionis coronaria, Verbascum chaixii, Erysimum dubium, and Nepeta nuda 'Purple Cat'.
Reese's planting style is characterised by dynamic schemes that change year by year, ensuring the garden remains fresh and full of surprise. To achieve this, he employs a layered approach, with groundcovers, shrubs, and trees providing depth and interest at different heights. He also practices succession planting, ensuring there is always something flowering throughout the growing season by planting species that bloom at different times.
The border at Malverleys Gardens is a wilder, meadowy scheme that peaks in June and July, with a subtle yet bold colour palette that includes magenta, pink, yellow, dusky purple, and grey-mauve. The border's annuals are planted in autumn to help their root systems develop and have a head start in spring, while some rare plants were tracked down from far and wide to add a touch of the extraordinary.
Reese's background in horticulture, including an apprenticeship at Ness Botanic Gardens and studies at RHS Garden Wisley and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, has equipped him with the knowledge and skills to create such a breathtaking garden. His dedication to maintaining the garden's dynamic nature is evident in his regular pruning and dividing of plants, encouraging new growth and keeping the garden full of life.
A visit to Malverleys Gardens offers a captivating glimpse into the art of gardening, showcasing Matthew Reese's passion for creating a garden that is both beautiful and full of life, reflecting the English flower garden style and the naturalistic vision of William Robinson.
- The dynamic and ever-evolving border at Malverleys Gardens, a masterpiece by head gardener Matthew Reese, is a harmonious blend of interior design principles, with layers of groundcovers, shrubs, and trees mimicking the layered approach in home-and-garden design.
- Fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts might find a parallel in Reese's gardening style, as he meticulously selects a mix of Veronica exaltata, Helenium 'Waltraut', and other striking varieties, much like a fashion designer curating a collection of unique pieces.
- Echoing the lifestyle philosophy of embracing the natural world, Malverleys Gardens, with its vibrant English flower garden, encourages visitors to appreciate the simple beauty of gardening, just as one might savor a well-designed interior space or a masterpiece of fashion.
