Clover Hill and Lake

A journey through the garden takes visitors past the tranquil beauty of the Lake and to the sunny, south-west facing slope of Clover Hill – presented in a naturalistic style and filled with vast swathes of grasses and herbaceous perennials, Clover Hill is a real contrast to the formal horticulture of Hilltop

Looking its best in...

  • Summer Drifts of flowering perennials and ornamental grasses follow the contours of the hill
  • Autumn Fading flower heads and the golden hues of grasses catch the autumn light

Influential planting

Named after the surrounding clover-rich pastures, Clover Hill is planted to reflect the wider Essex landscape. Influenced by prairie planting, the area features large groups of plants in a limited choice of colours and textures, chosen to blend with the neighbouring countryside.

Clover Hill is particularly beautiful in late summer and autumn, towards the end of the day when the low sun illuminates the hill's feathery grasses and fiery foliage.

The foundation of success

The backbone of the garden’s planting includes Malus, Rhus, Salix and a small avenue of golden ash trees that flow with the hill's topography. Many plants are chosen for their qualities of motion, including several types of ornamental grass, which are planted in drifts of 25–30 plants.

This area of the garden offers fantastic views over the lower part of Hyde Hall and the arable landscape beyond. A covered wooden pergola, positioned half way up the hill, offers a perfect vantage point to enjoy this vista.

Creating year-round impact

The management of Clover Hill is designed to give maximum impact throughout the year. The shrubs, perennials and grasses are only cut back once in early spring, and seedheads remain on display throughout the winter. This approach is particularly beneficial to wildlife, as it provides shelter in the undergrowth and seeds for winter food.

As spring approaches, the clear, sharp sun bathes the hillside and the space is warmed by the orange and red stems of dogwoods and willows.

Lake and its landscape

The lake, adjacent to Clover Hill, was dug out in 2011. Existing, established trees give the area a sense of maturity, and further specimen trees were added in 2014. Among their number are the northern pin oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis), Himalayan birch (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii), weeping willow (Salix alba ‘Tristis’), three majestic dawn redwoods (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and a group of great white cherries (Prunus ‘Tai-haku’).

Plants on Clover Hill

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.