Shropshire Chilli farm

The magnificent garden at Wollerton near Market Drayton in North Shropshire was created in only ten years by Lesley and John Jenkins.  This tranquil three-acre plantsman's garden was laid out around the 16th century black and white hall (not open to the public).


Clipped yews, beech hedges and pleached limes form the backbone of the garden. These are used to create a series of 'outdoor rooms' which have been compared favourably with the famous garden at Hidcote.  They are truly beautiful. 

At Wollerton, however, the planting has been more experimental and the gardens combine formal design with intense cultivation of perennials, roses and clematis.  The borders feature old favourites including artemisias, valerian, campanulas, alchemilla and old roses.  Clematis winds through the purple, pink and dark blue border and the sensational hot-garden is a blaze of red, copper, orange and yellow set off by silver and grey.  The gable end of the house forms a geometric backdrop to the central lime walk, under-planted with purple sage.

An interesting bit of diversification for this site is that they have now become we think the largest grower of chillies in the whole of Shropshire.  So if you are inspired to have a nice day out and get some formal planting ideas as well as expert advice about growing chillies, the check out: -

Wollerton Old Hall Garden
Tel: 01630 685760
or visit the Wollerton Old Hall Garden Website