Late summer in the garden at Mottisfont

The herbaceous borders of the walled gardens at Mottisfont, Hampshire

The herbaceous borders in our famous walled garden provide a wonderful floral colour palette right through until October, showcasing a huge variety of flowering plants.

Bordering two sides of the historic central pathway in the walled gardens, two deep flower beds boast many of Graham Stuart Thomas’s favourite perennials, chosen for their structure, scent and wide colour palette.

Agapanthus, geraniums and peonies mingle with pinks, lilies, phlox and nepeta. The centres of the borders are a mass of soft blues, pinks and whites, whilst stronger yellows, oranges and dark pinks draw your eye along the length of the border.

While the peak rose season of once-flowering old-fashioned roses has finished, some repeat flowering varieties will continue to bloom into early autumn.

Outside of the walled gardens, you can take a stroll on tree-lined pathways along the River Test, which runs through our grounds. The clear waters are teeming with wildlife: swans glide over the surface, and brown trout bask in sunny spots.

Pathways line the riverside in Mottisfont's grounds
A path by the river at Mottisfont, Hampshire in autumn
Pathways line the riverside in Mottisfont's grounds

Our historical parterre, designed by the celebrated Nora Lindsay, is still showing off its summer bedding flowers. Meanwhile, the huge plane trees, horse chestnuts and other veteran trees that fringe the house are just beginning to take on the colours of autumn.

Yellow plane trees and other autumn colours beside the font stream at Mottisfont, Hampshire

Experience autumn colour 

Our gardens are ablaze with colour in autumn. The stately trees which frame the house and grounds are crowned with glowing red, orange and gold shades from late September through to November.

Discover dazzling autumn displays

Work in the walled gardens

A moodboard of flowers, herbs and garden structures, inspiration for the new garden at Mottisfont, Hampshire

Creating our Kitchen Garden 

Thanks to money raised through the Walled Garden Appeal, we are creating a new Kitchen Garden in the area formerly known as the 'Frameyard'. We're working on the garden at the moment, to be unveiled in autumn: you can see the work in progress when you visit. The new design reflects both Mottisfont’s medieval history and the garden's productive past.

Find out more about this exciting project