This outing in May 2024 proved to be one of our most well attended and enjoyable outings on a beautiful spring day in Devon. And yes, what a feast for the eye and an inspiration to all gardeners. Keith Wiley is an artist who has raised the art of garden design to be about the design of space. In his introductory talk he was keen that we all looked over the boundary hedge to the next field. As he explained, ‘That field is 1 acre of gently sloping meadow, exactly as this 4 acre plot was when I arrived.’ We looked and saw from one side to the other of that field in a glance, but now at Wildside 30 people can spend an enjoyable afternoon in a world of hills, water, meadow and woodland catching only the occasional glimpse of the rest of the party.
Beth Chatto is known for her dictum of ‘right plant, right place’. Keith Wiley has taken the approach to another level both literally and metaphorically by creating places to suit and show off the immense range of plants whose demands, habits and qualities he knows so thoroughly.
At The Garden House, over a period of 25 years Keith created an extension to the existing attractive and beautiful garden. Here, we could see the development of his New Naturalism approach with the wonderful blend of grasses, perennials and shrubs to create a richly textured landscape which echoes wildflower meadows. But there was one restriction to his ability to shape the land – the bedrock is quite close to the surface. Just down the lane at Wildside, the bedrock is far enough below the surface for the landscape to be completely transformed. Which is what he has done, moving 100,000 tons of material to create this spectacular and wonderful environment.
The planting demonstrates deep horticultural knowledge put to the service of an overarching artistic approach to space. Familiar conifers are changed by removing their lower branches to open or frame views. Wisteria in all its varieties is growing as free-standing trees grouped on a small hill.
Japanese Maples only as old as the 14 year garden defy their usual description of slow growing; they are planted where the deepest layer of topsoil was spread, whereas the forest of birch trees grow on thin shaley soil.
Throughout the three parts to the garden there are a series of plant communities complimenting and enhancing the topography to create a lyrical landscape that satisfies the search for a wonderland with the pleasure of detailed flower, leaf, and texture.
Just in case there’s any doubt – I think Keith Wiley is a genius and if you weren’t able to join us on the outing – get in your car and go!
Text & Photos © Tim Gale