Chevithorne Barton - A garden to get lost

Chevithorne Barton, located in Devon, the UK, is a private garden. Upon entering through the gate, I wasn’t sure if I was in the right place. It seemed a bit desolated. I drove down the driveway and through the rain, a doomy house with shallow lights appeared. A young head gardener approached me. He shared details about the national oak collection, which boasts over 200 species. He suggested I begin my visit at the woodland garden and gradually work my way up. "This is the best time to explore the garden. We still have some magnolias blooming, and the bluebells and acers are at their peak," he added. "It's easy to get lost in this garden," he concluded.

I followed the trimmed grass path through the garden. At first glance, it appeared to be a traditional, romantic garden, but what caught my attention were the unexpected elements, such as the camellias in the woodland garden and magnolias in an orchard setting. These exotic additions within a natural context lend the garden a surreal level. I was amazed by the diversity of oaks: their varied colors, leaf shapes, and sizes. It's truly impressive and unique to see them all gathered together in this garden. Another dimension to the garden is that it is united by the sound and presence of water.

I lost myself a couple of times in the garden but I knew the best still yet had to come: the terrace garden. I had been dreaming about it ever since I saw pictures of it in an article by Clare Foster in House & Gardens. The steps were adorned with daisies. The combination of trimmed boxwood, cacti, and overgrown old walls was perfectly harmonious. It all made sense.

I don’t think this garden will please everyone. Definitely stay away if you prefer tidy paths and practical gardening. I'm not sure how they manage to maintain order in this beautiful chaos, but in my opinion, this is the true art of gardening: intervening without being noticed.