The early colour of the Hornbeam Walk begins in the middle of April with splashes of yellow and green. Sedums begin to emerge from the ground with their succulent leaves, whilst a wide range of Narcissi provide a host of yellow tones.

By the time June comes around all of our garden’s spring plants are erupting into colour. Salvia ‘ostfriesland’s’ spire-like throng of purple flowers mix with the pastel yellow bells of Digitalis ‘carrillion,’ to form a uplifting combination of forms. The deep red/purple centred leaves of Euphorbia ‘cornegia’ are delightfully set amongst the new, lighter, spring greens of the emerging Asters and the spiraling Phlomis ‘russeliana’. Flanking rows of plants flow either side of the path to create a vista of purple and yellow extending ahead. This colourful structure is bound together with 4 diagonal banks of giant Alliums; ‘giaganticam’ and ‘mars’ with their huge purple balls of color.

As June progresses the plants continue to grow. Those closest to the path spill over the border in a cascade of colour. Geraniums ‘wlassoviunum’ and ‘anne thomson’s’ delicate purple forms float softly alongside you, as you make your way towards the summer house at the foot of the Hornbeam Walk.