About the garden
Owned by
John & Lana Borrett
Docton has a working water mill with a leat and holding pond still central to the garden's layout. It also has a natural bluebell woodland (into which shrubs like rhododendrons have been planted over the last 20 years), an old orchard, and several distinct areas of herbaceous and shrub plantings. The daffodils in spring are spectacular.
The gardens were first laid out in the 1930s, but much of today's garden is due to improvements made since March 2000 by Lana and John Borrett: a small field with magnolias (25 cultivars) and flowering shrubs; a fine bog garden (candelabra primulas in late spring); and a collection of old roses underplanted with herbaceous and ground-cover plants. The emphasis now is on planting for the summer show, especially in July and August.
A new Victorian greenhouse is a backdrop for the revamped plant sales and vegetable garden areas, while additional seating has been placed around the herbaceous border in the form of green oak structures, allowing protection for visitors during inclement weather.
