Canadian cascade

Above: The recently revealed cascade

Above: Chatsworth's deputy head gardener Steve Porter

Above: The 1st Duke's Greenhouse

ACCLAIMED and admired as one of the nation’s finest country estates, Chatsworth is the ancestral home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The idyllically-situated house, gardens and parkland attract visitors from all over the world. The famous Cascade and original formal gardens were created towards the end of the 17th century, while the gardens and park were reshaped into the more natural-looking landscape we know today by the famous English landscape designer, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Later, the 6th Duke engaged garden designer and architect Joseph Paxton as the head gardener, which resulted in the addition of the Emperor Fountain as well as the Great Conservatory, which existed for only 80 years and was demolished in 1920. The gardens have changed little since then, but, nevertheless, each generation has left its mark. A new, four-acre arboretum created in a previously inaccessible area of the impressive gardens is one of the added attractions open to visitors this year. The large, formerly ‘secret’ area known as Quebec - thought to have been named by the 9th Duke, who was Governor General of Canada - has been unveiled. Hidden for an incredible 300 years, a beautiful water cascade extending 200 yards down the hill was revealed while invasive ponticum, or wild rhododendron, was being cleared. This landscape treasure and magnificent, mature trees form the background to the newly developed area, planted with North American trees. Walking through the garden along by the Canal Pond, the spectacular Emperor Fountain shoots high above your head, geese graze on the grass by the water and you eventually reach a peaceful, natural area where birdsong fills the air. Previously unseen views into the private old park, formerly solely for family access, have been opened up for visitors. Meandering down the paths through Quebec, the banks have been planted with natural plants and bulbs to create interest throughout the seasons. Small specimen trees and shrubs have been sourced, such as cornus and acers, to provide seasonal colour and attractive bark and stems. When clearing began, the water cascade was uncovered. ‘It was amazing to think this had been hidden for possibly 300 years,’ said Steve Porter, Chatsworth’s deputy head gardener, as he took me on a tour of this once secret place. Honeysuckles have been planted to climb up the mature trees and the American rose has also been included. Rhibes, hydrangeas and blueberries will fill up the area as they mature. On a creative note, the snaking, curved branches of the ponticum that was cleared have been fashioned into seats, built by park supervisor David Spencer. The present Duke and Duchess have taken a personal interest in this area, and were closely involved in work on the rhododendron tunnel. Here, a twisting path leads beneath, then opens up into a clearing, where modern sculpture ‘Dejeuner sur l’herbe’, created by Allen Jones, adds a touch of brightness and fun. Meanwhile, the oldest greenhouse on site, constructed for the 1st Duke of Devonshire, which houses an award-winning collection of camellias, has been opened to the general public for the first time. Believed to be one of the largest private collections of these plants, which are members of the tea family, they start flowering in January, and depending on the variety, blooms can be seen for at least six months of the year. The present head gardener, Ian Webster, enjoyed great success at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Annual Early Camellia Competition in London earlier this year, winning 11 first prizes,13 seconds and three thirds. Climbing plants are being trained on the back walls to extend the seasonal interest. These new features make up just a small part of this magical 105 acre landscape, which changes with the seasons and offers features of interest throughout the year. Visitors have the freedom to go where they like within the boundaries.There are no ‘keep off the grass’ signs, so families can enjoy picnics and children can play and have fun. Five miles of walks lead past rare trees, shrubs, formal hedges, temples, sculptures old and new, streams and ponds and the large Cascade. However, the fountains and waterworks rely in rainfall, so in a dry spell displays may be restricted.