PURPLE HAZE

Drifts of alliums and fountains of wisteria are the springtime focus of this Georgian rectory garden, created by Josephine Hoy

- Josephine Hoy

Strolling beside Josephine Hoy through her garden, there is no doubting that it means the world to her – not only because it has been four decades in the making, but also because it adjoins the farm where she grew up. ‘My sisters and I freely roamed the countryside here, hence I’ve always loved life outdoors and been aware of nature in all its guises,’ she says.

The garden unfolds as a series of entrancing cameos, with flowers featuring prominently, swathing cherry and apple trees with blossom above carpets of cow parsley, obelisks and an arbour with clematis, honeysuckle, roses or long trusses of fragrant wisteria; and weaving through borders showcasing different textures and colours. ‘My style of gardening is free flowing and I prefer a meadow effect as opposed to planting in blocks,’ she says. ‘I don’t like too much formality, so I encourage the flowering plants to mingle.’

I FEED THE BIRDS ALL YEAR, GROW PLANTS FOR BEES AND BUTTERFLIES AND DON’T WORRY ABOUT FIELD MICE IN THE WALLS