Mapperton represents Dorset in national Historic Houses Garden of the Year 2020 awards
Since 1984 Historic Houses has asked its members and supporters to vote for their favourite garden. Last year, for the first time, Historic Houses introduced a shortlist decided by their gardening committee. The rule changes enabled Newby Hall in Yorkshire to become the first garden to win the title a second time, securing almost a third of the thousands of votes cast.
This year the award is evolving further. The main prize remains the same – gardens must be open to the public, and the public will decide the winner. But there in 2020 we will also announce a ‘Judges’ Choice’, decided by their panel of experts, from amongst all member gardens in our association (with no strict requirement to be open for visitors).
And Mapperton is up as a finalist – proudly flying the flag not only for Beaminster, but for Dorset as a whole!
You can vote for them directly on the link below.
VOTE FOR MAPPERTON HERE
Here’s what they say about Mapperton’s Garden:
“Taking the up the challenge of reinventing these renowned gardens for a new generation, John and Caroline have changed them beyond recognition in the last thirty years, while respecting historic elements such as the spirit of the Arts and Crafts garden in the Fountain Court. An avenue shown on an 1840s map but lost later in the nineteenth century has been recreated, lined with chestnuts and planted with daffodils the length of each side, and leads to a new woodland garden, home to slow worms, newts, snakes, dragon- and damsel-flies, moths, butterflies, beetles, dormice, occasional otters, and a visiting kingfisher.
Double- and triple-width beds give the garden a depth and luxuriousness that was missing before, while trim topiary contrasts with the bursting beds. The Orangery houses the white Victorian ‘wedding’ rose, Rosa niphetos, begonias grown for their extraordinary leaves, and Iochroma australe, an Australian shrub with blue or white bell-shaped flowers.”
From all of us, Good Luck!
