Winter 2020

Out&About feature

The tree house has been a feature at Malveryleys for many years and is particularly popular with schoolchildren

Each section has its own atmosphere but Mat says he wanted to create ’a line of views’ where stretching ahead of you was a continuous pallette of colour which changes as you enter each section of garden. “The White Garden [which includes four small fountains] is one of my favourites. In late spring and early summer it looks really pretty and the scent is amazing.“ Mat explains how the gardens are created. “You have to start by drawing it out. When you’re working with such a big space it’s best to divide it into ’rooms’. You work out the dimensions of each space and the proportions and then tweak your ideas as you go along.“ Naturally the von Opels are involved in any design ideas, but Mat also took inspiration from visiting other gardens and adapting ideas and styles along the way. “To a certain extent you have to go with the flow. We kept the designs simple so that each garden is a constant work in progress.“ This approach means that subtle changes are made to each garden every year. “In the autumn we ’accept the browns’,“ says Mat. “It is early in the year that we look to make changes and This tropical walk way includes some plant seeds that Mat brought back from a plant hunting expedition in the Himalayas

think about what might work for the spring and summer and what colour we want to add and what we need to take out.“ Every year, the team plants hundreds of tulip bulbs in the run up to Christmas to ensure a blaze of spring colour. “It’s like being an editor – you have to decide which bits are interesting or necessary and which bits can come out, to create the right impression on your audience.“ Walking along the terraces and borders the display of colour and texture looks effortless, almost as if the borders have been left to their own devices, but that is part of the artistry of Mat’s skill. He has created a natural organic design that has been carefully planned and coordinated to the finest detail. The gardens are open to visitors by appointment and raise money for charities. Malverleys also welcomes about 20 schools a year when they spend the day learning about farming and agriculture and growing your own vegetables. “In an ideal world we would all be self sufficient,“ says Mat. “We want to show the next generation how easy it is to grow vegetables and feed yourself from even the smallest of gardens.“ For more information visit www.malverleys.co.uk

You come across a different palette of colours and style in each garden 'room'

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O&A WINTER 2020