Manorial magic

Above: A formal pond and planted trough at Tissington Hall

Above: Summer colour in a mixed herbaceous border

Above: An old garden roller looks very much at home

Above: View of the Hall from the rose garden

ENTERED through large rusticated lodge gates, along an avenue of 200 year old lime trees, Tissington is one of the prettiest, most unspoilt villages in the Peak, and indeed the entire country. Tissington Hall, a fine Jacobean manor house, stands behind a walled garden. With fine wrought iron gates made by Robert Blackwell, the famous Derbyshire blacksmith, it has been the home of the FitzHerbert family for 500 years. The enchanting gardens complement the Hall and should not be missed.There are lovely views in all directions as the gardens open out into terraces, with successive flights of stone steps leading up, flanked with roses and planted urns.A formal pond with water lilies and marginal plants sited by the house creates a relaxing area to sit and ponder. Traditional herbaceous borders full of perennials and shrubs add colour and texture, and contrast with the stone walls. Clipped domes rise out of the grass and the tall, broad, perfectly formed hedges hug small tree-like shrubs, shielding them from the elements. The colourful tropaeolum clambers up the green, adding richness. The rose garden, set in parterre style, blooms to life in June and lasts throughout the season, each well labelled bed filled with just one variety of rose. Scent fills the air and a patchwork of colour, from delicate pink through to warm yellow and vibrant red, lifts the spirits.This is the most fertile part of the garden, and during the Second World War was dug over to produce vegetables as part of the land army effort. The gardens were laid out in 1913 by William Barron and Sons, well known for designing public parks and managing to integrate formality with a more natural look, which is still the case here. The arboretum covers some ten acres and mown grass paths allow you to wander, brushing past wild flowers that raise their heads through the grass. Here you will also find a human sundial, which uses a person’s shadow to show the correct time.Nowhere in the world will you ever find another one exactly alike, as each one is tailormade with its individual latitude and longitude. The original kitchen garden to the Hall became a nursery a few years ago, changing ownership three years ago, and is now run by Mairi Longdon, who is giving it a new lease of life.The original Victorian greenhouses are still on site, but badly in need of restoration, which Mairi would love to see happen. However, as they are not listed, it is difficult to get a grant. On leaving school, Mairi initially wanted to study photography, but instead chose horticulture, turning her hobby of growing plants into her career. She got through to the finals of young Horticulturist of the Year twice, a great achievement. When she heard the nursery had become available, she had no hesitation in taking on the challenge and is gradually putting her own mark on it, specialising in plants she loves. Eventually she aims to be self sufficient, by sowing and propagating all the plants herself. ‘I am very picky,’ said Mairi. ‘I will only sell plants I would buy and will check each one to make sure it is right. My mother, Mary, is an invaluable help to me, minding the nursery when I am at shows. I am growing my own alpines and developing cottage garden style plants, like lavenders, dianthus, achilleas, geraniums, heleniums and more.’ Tissington Nursery is well worth a visit, as you will find plants not generally found elsewhere, and I defy you not to leave without at least one plant. They are all well labelled and help is at hand, offering any advice you may need. Meanwhile the FitzHerberts have managed to retain Tissington’s quiet dignity and charm, while at the same time catering for modern day needs in full. Close to the Green is the pond, where ducks have made their home. Visitors come from all over the world to see the annual tradition of well dressing, which this year takes place from May 1 to 7. Six wells are dressed by covering boards in damp clay with an intricate montage of flower petals, twigs, coffee beans, moss and spar. A carefully-crafted montage of a scene from the Bible or well known hymn is certainly a sight not to be missed. ¦