The Long Border

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Now we make our way along The Long Border. For guests arriving at Matfen Hall, this really marks the beginning of the formal gardens.

As they turn the bend from the estate entrance, they are met with vibrant colour from a riot of herbaceous plants under a row of neatly pruned osmanthus trees. A south-facing and sheltered spot, often warm and rich with colour. Nepeta racemosa, commonly known as cat mint and Alchemilla mollis “Lady’s Mantle” spill over onto the road each spring and summer.

As we approach the church corner we are met by the Rhus typhina “Stag’s Horn” – this one lightly pruned to resemble the horns of a stag, the emblem of Matfen Hall. With the Cercidiphyllum japonicum, katsura tree behind, vibrant colours are promised each autumn. The woodland here has been developed into a shady garden, it is challenging to establish plants here and still a work in progress to meet its true potential.

Stag's Horn

Rhus typhina

A large, suckering deciduous shrub, growing to 6m, the red, hairy stems with large pinnate leaves turning red and orange in autumn.

Botanical Details

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Suckering

Position

Full sun

Maximum Height

8 metres

Maximum Spread

8 metres

Family

Anacardiaceae

Genus

Rhus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees with simple, pinnate or palmately-divided leaves often colouring brilliantly in autumn, and inconspicuous yellow flowers in spring or summer.

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

As we pass the car park we see the giant sequoia trees, native to California. There is every chance that these could have been planted by the first gardeners of Matfen Hall. Working with trees as historic as these gives our Gardening Team a true connection to the heritage of estate and gardens. Knowing that generations ago gardeners were doing just the same, tending the borders, caring for the trees and enduring the weather to maintain these beautiful grounds.