Garden Transformations at The Bishop’s Palace: A Look Back at the Evolution of Our Beautiful RHS partner gardens
The gardens at The Bishop’s Palace have undergone remarkable changes over the years, thanks to the vision and dedication of our Head Gardener, James, and his team. In January 2016, the gardens became an RHS partner garden, a status awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to gardens with ‘outstanding and exceptionally high standards of planting and design.’ Read on to explore the journey of how our gardens achieved this status, with before-and-after photos revealing the artistry and hard work invested in each area.
The Jocelin Border Transformation
The Jocelin Border, planted in 2018, is a brilliant blend of contemporary and classic English garden styles. Head Gardener James and his team created this border to add year-round interest to the Palace grounds. Today, it captivates with its lush, vibrant plantings. Before its transformation, the Jocelin Border was a grassed-over area, lacking imagination or inspiration. Now, it’s a place where visitors can relax on the ‘Sitting Spiritually’ swinging bench and enjoy the views throughout the year.
Click on the images to see the Jocelin Border’s transformation.
The Creation of the Hot Border
In 2008, James and his team undertook the ambitious project of creating the Hot Border. This area of the East Garden is now a spectacular sight, with bold colours, topiary, and blooms that bring interest from summer through to autumn. It’s a vivid example of how a single garden feature can enhance the surrounding space. Previously, this part of the East Garden lacked inspiration, but now, with the Palace and Chapel as its backdrop, it’s a magnificent sight all year round.
Click on the images to see the Hot Border’s transformation.
Developing the East Garden
The East Garden has seen a remarkable transformation over the past two decades. In 2011, James Cross set out to create a knot-style garden beneath the oriel window, inspired by a portcullis design. This area now boasts a stunning mix of roses, a fig tree, blue Salvia, and daylilies, making it a peaceful spot for visitors.
Click on the images to see the East Garden’s transformation.
The Creation of the Winter Border
The Winter Border, located at the edge of the South Lawn, was planted 2017 with the aim to provide interest throughout the winter and for flowers, scent, colour and foliage to flourish. Throughout winter you can enjoy the stem colour of Cornus, the wonderfully scented flowers of several Daphne, Edgeworthia ‘Red Dragon’, and Hamamelis selections, and the textured evergreen foliage of Picea pungens ‘Glauca’ and Pinus mugo ‘Winter Gold’.
Click on the images to see the Winter Border’s transformation.
The Phelps Garden
The Phelps Garden was planted in spring 2005, following donations from the Phelps Family of Palace Farm. It sits on the site of the original gardens laid out in the 1820s by Bishop Law. During the Victorian era, the garden featured eight squares of box hedge, but in 1914, it was grassed over as most men had gone off to the Great War. The garden was partially reinstated in the 1970s by Bishop Bickersteth. The large urn in the centre of this section dates back to 1850.
James Cross: “I remember my first big project was creating the romantic, English Garden Style inspired Phelps Garden which is still one of my favourite developments. When I arrived at the Palace this area was a blank canvas; much like the rest of the gardens. I wanted to create something that related to the historic Victorian parterre that was originally in this part of the garden. Bishop Peter was away when we ripped up the turf and his look of surprise when he returned was something I’ll never forget, although he was very happy with the outcome!”
Click on the images to see the Phelps Garden’s transformation.
