Matthew Reese at Hardymount Gardens

Malverleys is home to an English flower garden that has been created and developed over the last thirteen years by head gardener Matthew Reese, with the owners. Its narrative is influenced by the writings and gardens of Christopher Lloyd, Vita Sackville-West and William Robinson. Located in Hampshire, Malverleys’ classical design features complex and dynamic planting, with York stone paths and yew hedging forming a framework of garden rooms, and deep borders home to mixed plantings. Highlights include colour-themed gardens, a white garden, hot garden and a cool garden, as well as more typical mixed-palette plantings. Malverleys’ dynamic plantings, evolving annually, have received considerable acclaim over the past few years.

This talk follows Malverleys from the very beginning, discussing the design and layout of the new flowering garden and related areas, like the kitchen garden and topiary meadow. The talk also focuses on planting design and maintenance in more detail, and considers how these naturistic displays can be produced through the seasons.

Afterwards take a stroll through the superb walled gardens at Hardymount, carefully tended by gardener Mark McKeever and his wife Justina, daughter of the renowned gardener Sheila Reeves-Smyth who gardened here for many years. A high afternoon tea prepared by Ballymaloe trained Justina and served on the lawns of Hardymount brings the afternoon’s programme to a convivial close.