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Streamside

Running through the heart of Harlow Carr is Streamside, one of the original and most iconic areas of the garden, lush with moisture-loving plants and eye-popping colour

Looking its best in...

  • Spring/Summer Vibrant waves of colour from Primula and Meconopsis, and the fresh green fronds of ferns
  • Summer Luscious, large-leaved plants including Gunnera, Rheum, Hosta and Rodgersia
  • Autumn The fiery autumn hues of Acer and Parrotia persica

The heart of Harlow Carr

The stream (or beck) is central to Harlow Carr and the relationship between it and the garden is a defining characteristic.

The beck runs east to west and knits together the formal and woodland sides of the garden with distinctive and lush plantings. The paths within Streamside echo the meandering route of the stream, and like the water, the planting beds ebb and flow.

Streamside is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including dippers, tree creepers, weasels and voles.

Streamside planting

Geoffrey Smith, an early custodian of the garden, was responsible for initiating the planting schemes around Streamside, which are now regarded as one of the jewels in Harlow Carr’s crown.

From spring through to autumn, Streamside is awash with colour from a vast range of plants that flourish in its moist, cool environment. This moisture-loving planting includes hostas, Rodgersia, Gunnera, Astilbe, Filipendula and Iris sibirica, as well as ferns from the National Plant Collection of Dryopteris.

Hosta ‘Empress Wu’, one of the world’s largest hostas with leaves up to 56cm (22in) across, can be found thriving here.

Eye-catching colour

On the banks of Streamside, in late spring and early summer, is an eye-popping spectacle – the jewel-bright tones of Harlow Carr’s primulas. Primula bulleyana and P. beesiana have interbred over the years to give what are now referred to as the Primula Harlow Car hybrids.

Between 2010 and 2013, Harlow Carr hosted an RHS Plant Trial of Meconopsis (Himalayan blue poppy). Selections were planted around Streamside, where they enjoyed the moist soil and cool air, and continue to give a spectacular display of blue flowers in late spring and early summer.

Evolution

Streamside has evolved significantly over the last decade and recent developments to protect the beck from floodwater erosion have also created opportunities to refresh its planting.

The new backbone of the design is a hedge of yew, shaped to echo the meandering curves of the beck, with colourful plantings of Cornus (dogwood) interwoven. The hedge acts as a foil for the planting, allowing stem and foliage colours to stand out.

The sinuous lines of Streamside have also been enhanced by low drystone walls, which run into the ground and form shallow terraces. In the immediate future, replacement bridges and new boardwalks, to help cope with increased visitor numbers, are planned.

When planting next to water, it is important to choose plants that will grow successfully in permanently moist soil. Good options include ferns, hostas and astilbes.

RHS Garden Harlow Carr Horticulturist

Plants along Streamside

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