Next year it will be 20 years since James Cross started as Head Gardener at The Bishop’s Palace Gardens. During this time, he has created an interesting garden for all seasons with many new beds and boarders in the 14 acres, with his team of 3 full time assistants and 40 volunteers.

The Palace dates from the 13th Century, the croquet lawn is separated from the south lawn by the remaining wall of the ruined Great Hall. The borders on either side of the wall include plants to create interest for all seasons, peony, winter jasmine and euphorbias. The wall was an important feature of the Victorian garden design of Bishop Laws with strategically planted trees to create a ‘Picturesque’ space to entertain his guests. This style continues with a mature Ginkgo, Mulberry, Tulip and Indian Bean.

The ramparts are planted with bulbs and primroses which create a wonderful display in the spring. Under the Evergreen Oak is the stumpery with a variety of ferns and damp loving plants like Hostas, Forget-me-nots, and Hellebores. The east parterre garden has been completely redesigned and the Box edging replaced with Euonymus. There are four Yew trees echoing the past when 12 Yews represented the apostles. The wide path below the Oriel window was replaced with attractive planting of a magnolia, fig tree, Salvias, and day lilies. The edging of the knot garden picks up the portcullis motif from the window. The corner of the garden near the swing has more modern informal prairie planting.

Across the Willow Bridge, beneath the Golden Weeping Willow are the outer gardens. In the area around St Andrews, the springs rise creating boggy ground near the Well House. The reflecting pool was created by Bishop Laws and in 2002 the border was planted by Mary Keen. The planting of the damp area by the board walk was a student design project influenced by the Beth Chatto Garden. The Arboretum, with its spring bulbs was planted by Bishop Bickersteth, a keen gardener, for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. The area, once the Kitchen Garden, is now a community garden providing vegetables for the café and Bishop’s family and allotments for local people.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, 8th November 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start at Kilmersdon Village Hall. Dr Frances Burroughes will tell us about ‘A Victorian Head Gardener.’ Refreshments and raffle on arrival. On Saturday, 2nd December, 10am to 12.30pm there will be a wreath making workshop in the hall (£35 to include materials and refreshments) visitors welcome. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in taking part. Trisha Jordan