The Picton Garden

About the garden

Owned by

Helen & Ross Barbour

Established in the early 1980s on part of the Old Court Nurseries site to house the National Plant Collection of autumn flowering asters, The Picton Garden is a charming 1.5-acre plantsman’s treat nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills. Thanks to the extensive Michaelmas daisy collection, the garden is best known for herbaceous borders ablaze with colour from mid-September. However, the backbone of the garden is formed by many unusual tree and shrub specimens with interesting woodland underplanting being extensively revitalised over the last decade. Of special interest is the ever-expanding collection of more than 300 snowdrops and 100 different ferns. 

Early spring is the time for the smaller details in the garden with bulbs, Epimediums and flowering shrubs playing an important role. Centre stage in May is taken by the paeonias, including a magnificent specimen of Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Rocks Form’. June sees both the herbaceous plants beginning to come into their own, helped by swaths of alliums, and the tender succulents which are used in bedding schemes and pot displays. The colour truly builds from late July with the hot colours of crocosmias and heleniums lighting up the August borders to be replaced by a truly glorious riot of colour from mid-September. 

This garden, although small, is a treasure trove of different plants, the love and dedication of the family team responsible for its creation and ongoing expansion shining through.

Please note: this garden is partially accessible.