The Woodlands Gardens

Gardening has been part of life at Woodlands for well over a century, with records showing investment in the grounds as far back as 1905.
When we moved here in 2021, the gardens were reasonably well maintained, but the borders had become predominantly shrub-based, with very few perennials and little of the softness and seasonal colour of a traditional cottage garden.
We decided to bring that back.
Old shrubs were removed, borders cleared and replanted, and almost every perennial you see today has been grown from seed here at Woodlands, in our own nursery.
It has been a real process of trial and error. The gardens are south-facing, the soil is heavy Kentish clay, and increasingly unpredictable weather has meant some of our original planting choices simply did not work. Others have thrived beyond expectations.
Over time, we have learnt what suits each part of the garden, moving plants, changing combinations and gradually building fuller, more colourful borders.
The aim is not a perfectly manicured show garden. We want Woodlands to feel generous, informal and alive, with plenty of colour, flowers for pollinators and something new coming into bloom throughout the seasons.
The gardens are still evolving, but every year they become a little fuller and more established.
Every year, Woodlands blooms a little more.