Features and pictures of gardens across West Hill.
The houses and gardens in the village range in size from bijou to parkland. The woodland setting frames many gardens and provides shade, woodland glades and beautiful backdrops. Very few plots are on the level and the mixture of inclines and banks produces some delightful designs.
The houses and gardens in the village range in size from bijou to parkland. The woodland setting frames many gardens and provides shade, woodland glades and beautiful backdrops. Very few plots are on the level and the mixture of inclines and banks produces some delightful designs.
A beautiful snake-bark maple
When we moved to West Hill 5 years ago, we inherited a 1/3rd acre garden, which had been planted with a large variety of plants and trees. Some of these were unfamiliar to us but it’s certainly increased our knowledge in discovering their names! The garden is on three levels. The top level was quite overgrown so we cleared most of it, retaining some specimen trees including a Snake-bark Maple, which has thrived with the extra space and light. After the clearance, we created a vegetable plot, greenhouse area, a winter bed and a summer bed. The vegetable plot is divided into sections (for rotation purposes) made from recycled railway sleepers, the level of which can be raised in years to come – as it becomes more difficult to bend down!
Rob & Rosemary
Rob & Rosemary
The triffids are growing!
We have lived in West Hill for just over two years. When we moved here we joined the Garden Club and at our first meeting in January 2018, I chose small pack of Echium Pininana seeds being given away to members.
I planted them in a seed tray in the Spring - the germination was very successful and we suddenly had over 30 plants. Most were planted at the bottom of the garden in Summer 2018 and have proved hardy and fast growing. By April 2020 some were 10 to 12ft high and producing flower spikes. They are incredible plants!
The rest of the Garden was overgrown and rather neglected and we have re-planted a lot of it. Removing a large and mostly dead Leylandii at the front produced a threatening letter from EDDC Aboricultural Office but it's replacement with four ornamental trees and numerous shrubs placate them and is producing a habitat for wildlife.
We enjoy growing plants from seed and cuttings and visiting nurseries for unusual plants and trees.
Andrew & Gillian
I planted them in a seed tray in the Spring - the germination was very successful and we suddenly had over 30 plants. Most were planted at the bottom of the garden in Summer 2018 and have proved hardy and fast growing. By April 2020 some were 10 to 12ft high and producing flower spikes. They are incredible plants!
The rest of the Garden was overgrown and rather neglected and we have re-planted a lot of it. Removing a large and mostly dead Leylandii at the front produced a threatening letter from EDDC Aboricultural Office but it's replacement with four ornamental trees and numerous shrubs placate them and is producing a habitat for wildlife.
We enjoy growing plants from seed and cuttings and visiting nurseries for unusual plants and trees.
Andrew & Gillian
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Update - July 2020 Tallest echium has now reached 21 ft or 6.5 metres tall. Is this a record? Have you a taller specimen? |
Winter 2021 - Brrrrrr!
Hilary's House
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My husband & I moved to West Hill nearly 3 years ago.We were fortunate to inherit a garden that had been well designed & maintained by the previous owners. We have therefore not felt the need to change the structure.
We inherited a wide range of trees & shrubs, including many camellia, rhododendron, azalea, acer & many more. We love our garden & keep adding to & tweaking the plants. I think of myself as being the 'nurterer' & my husband does the heavy labouring with guidance from me!! I love growing plants from seed & enjoy growing vegetables. The only real problem we have is a poorly drained soggy lawn especially on the winter. Oh & the occasional early morning visit from deer who enjoy eating my tulips!! |
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Ann's Garden
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We moved to West Hill twelve years ago and we were bowled over by the garden. However, the reality was very different as I soon realised that it was overplanted and very labour intensive.
Nature helped form a plan with a couple of severe storms in 2009. I filled in the enormous pond which dominated the patio and removed shrubs which dominated the middle of the lawn, opening up the whole garden. My husband had planted several roses, which had thrived in our previous home but, here, they are a great temptation for the deer and don’t seem to do quite as well. However, a Raubritter sprawling rose is thriving in the poorest soil and, along with some hardy fuchsias, brings colour in the summer. Ann |
Terri & Keith's Garden
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The camellias have been beautiful and the rhodendrons are now in flower . The Pieris are pretty good as well. |
"Our first 'acid' garden"
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We have lived in the Village for five years. We were fortunate that the previous owners of the house laid out the garden beautifully, and we have not felt the need to change any of the structure.
It is the first 'acid' garden we have owned and we revel in the beautiful heathers, acers, camellias and rhodedendrons. We have been slowly adding to the planting to produce more year round colour and filled the beds to reduce the weeding and maintenance as much as we can. Sue & Richard |
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"Work in progress"
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Timbers and earth to do a couple raised beds so can get some veg on the go
plus a seat to isolate in and start the planting! 
Wildflowers in July
Autumn approaches
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“I purchased my West Hill property in November 2019 and have since been having work undertaken to modernise it. Whilst the garden, especially at the rear, had splendid rhododendrons, camellias etc they had outgrown the plot and were past being saved. Massive leylandii hedges needed removing and new fencing put in, leaving it looking very stark.
The wet weather means that ploughing hasn’t started yet, but I have plans to develop the gardens. The photographs show the blank canvas I will be working from and I hope you will follow the developments as I undertake the work" Watch this space! During Lockdown, despite the challenge of getting items, the garden is taking shape and getting some colour. The section for trained fruit trees will have to now await the autumn as the specialist nursery had to close due to a couple of staff getting Covid-19.
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