This area was laid out in 2011 as a woodland garden surrounding a memorial stone to the family pets. It is a quiet place of contemplation under tall Birch trees. At its centre, an old stone gate pillar is inscribed with the names of the pets.
In spring, Cyclamen coum album flowers under a bushy Amelanchier, along with Erythroniums, Anemone nemorosa, Helleborus orientalis and Hepatica.
When established, the pink and white star shaped flowers of Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ and ‘Merril’ will be a feature of April/May, followed by the nodding white flowers of Magnolia wilsonii in May/June. At the same time a bank of Azaleas underplanted with Veronica prostrata ‘Georgia Blue’ provides scent and vivid colour. Pulmonarias, Epimediums, Dicentra and ferns cover the ground in the shade.
Hydrangeas take up the mantle in late summer/early autumn. H. aspera subsp. sargentiana has large velvety leaves and pale purple/blue lace cap flowers, preferring more sheltered areas. Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ provides wonderful large white balls of flower, great for cutting. H. macrophylla ‘Sheila’ and ‘Ayesha’ grow in the damper cooler shade, with H. paniculata varieties in the drier areas.
An Osmanthus x burkwoodii hedge separates the pets cemetery from the physic and medicinal garden.
