Discover the garden at Ormesby Hall

Ormesby Hall garden in summer

The highlight for June is the wisteria cloaking the dining room window, and in late June the foxgloves will return with their impressive displays along the Holly-walk. In July the formal garden will be full of seasonal colour including a fabulous display of roses. In late summer a second wave of delphiniums along with one of Ruth Pennyman’s favourites, the agapanthus will be in full bloom. There will once again be a display of tropical flowers; yukkas, dahlias and flowering annuals from late June and in bloom for the rest of the summer.

Seasonal flowers at Ormesby:

Alliums

This Ornamental Onion flower boldly stands amongst other herbaceous perennials in the formal borders. Alliums are amongst the hundreds of species of monocotyledonous flowering plants that include garlic and onion, which could explain their onion-like shape.

At their best: early summer

Foxgloves

Make sure you look out for the foxgloves as you venture down the woodland path. In this previously evergreen space the foxgloves will bring some height and colour to this area of the garden.

At their best: early July

Delphiniums

The delphiniums return every year and thrive when the sun shines. The tall flower spikes have single or double flowers, in shades of blue and purple.

At their best: July and August

Agapanthus

The striking blue and white flowers of the agapanthus can be found in the formal borders and in troughs on the cafe terrace. With their strong stems and large, radiant heads the Agapanthus, also known as African Lily, create a stunning display in the garden.

At their best: July and August

Hydrangea

Summer sees the hydrangeas compete for centre stage and there are a range of colours to be seen, most commonly purples and pinks. The acidity of the soil can influence the colour of the flowers, which last into autumn with their flower heads providing structural interest throughout the winter.

At their best: July – September

Roses

Roses have always been an important presence within the garden, with different species of rose adorning the walls of the Georgian mansion and greeting visitors as they step through the garden gate.

At their best: June and August

Lavender

Surrounding the rose garden and cafe terrace the scented lavender is a hive of activity for bees and other pollinators. This richly fragrant flower offers a delight for your senses as the air is filled with the sweet smell of lavender.

At their best: July and August

Bear's breeches

Acanthus mollis, commonly known as Bear's breeches, is a flowering perennial found in the herbaceous borders. Rising above the foliage the deeply cut, dark green leaves give an elegance to the plant, with the spiky, dusky purple flowers acting as a hood over the smaller white flowers, growing as tall as 3.5 feet.

At their best: midsummer

Cartwheel dahlia

The dahlias reside in the tropical themed formal borders in the centre of the garden. There are a variety of dahlias planted, with most offering a showy double form. One of the species is the cartwheel dahlia with its unusual fan-shaped flowers, beloved for their pollen by bees. Dahlias continue their show into autumn and until the first frost.

Amaranthus

Amaranthus is an annual perennial, also known as love-lies bleeding or tassel flower. The fascinating cascade of colour also gives off the shape of a bushy foxtail and is mesmerising to look at. Each of these deep purple tassels is a colony of tightly packed, tiny flowers, which can remain in full bloom for weeks.

At their best: August

Gladioli

The gladioli add structure and elegance to any summer garden as they tower over some of the smaller summer flowers. They are often known as sword lilies due to their long, pointed leaves.

At their best: July and August