A series of stunning aerial images have captured a patriotic ‘Union Jack’ garden hidden in the grounds of a historic country house.
The grand medieval Birtsmorton Court, nestling in the glorious Worcestershire countryside, is normally closed to the public.
The ten acres of gardens around the Grade I listed moated manor house will open to the public for one afternoon next month.
Visitors will be able to explore the ‘White Garden’ surrounded on all sides by old topiary.
The centrepiece, with its symmetrical grass walkways and diagonal paved paths, create the perfect Union Jack flag.
The patriotic garden was the brainchild of Birtsmorton Court owner Rosalie Dawes, who drew up the plans in 1997.
The property also boats an ancient yew tree which Cardinal Wolsey reputedly slept under in the 19th century legend of the Shadow of the Ragged Stone.
The responsibility for maintaining the exquisite grounds is head gardener Mike Gogerty who took up the post last October.
He said: “The White Garden was designed in 1997, with the idea that it would be completed in time for the Millennium.
“Mrs Rosalie Dawes, designed much of the white garden herself and still helps out whenever she can.
“In addition to the white garden, there is a potager, a vegetable garden, three working greenhouses plus herbaceous borders backed with Elizabethan walls which are filled with perennials and a large collection of Peonies.
“The gardens require a great deal of time to be spent on them in order to keep everywhere looking pristine for visitors or as a backdrop for wedding photos.
“The gardens are run on a relatively small budget as they are now well-established.
READ MORE: Heartbroken man has assistance dog seized by police after 'attack'
READ MORE: Student accommodation block up for sale with £500,000 annual rent potential
READ MORE: Terror as car's brakes fail while Worcestershire X Factor star driving with children
“Many of the plants are grown from seeds and cuttings and we make a lot of our own compost and mulch.
“If it’s a particularly wet winter or a very dry summer, we have to purchase plants and that can often come as a surprise, hidden cost.”
There have been gardens flourishing at Birtsmorton Court since the house was built in 1241.
The lake, called Westminster Pool, which supplies the moat, was laid in Henry VII’s reign to mark the consecration of the nave at Westminster Abbey.
The house and grounds are privately owned and is run as a successful wedding venue.
As part of the National Garden Scheme, the grounds will open to the public between 2pm and 5.30pm on June 9.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel