Stunning Eco-Garden of Keith Wiley in Devon Embraces Natural Harmony
Venture into Keith Wiley's wild oasis, nestled on the fringe of Dartmoor's rugged landscapes in Devon, England. This breathtaking, one-of-a-kind garden, known as the Wildside, sprung from the earth like a lush, dreamy dream. From a monotonous four-acre orchard to an exhilarating, plant-filled expanse, the transformation is jaw-dropping.
With meticulous dedication for over fifteen years, Keith has painstakingly molded the land, shifting a staggering 100,000 tonnes of soil and rock to craft diverse ecosystems for a breathtaking array of flora. From plunging pools to towering mounds, every nook and cranny caters to a unique community of plants.
The garden emanates the essence of natural landscapes worldwide, but it's no exact replica. "I capture the spirit," Keith says, "I take a piece of my favorite natural landscape and modify it, transforming it into a garden." And what a masterpiece it has become!
The garden's evolution remains a work in progress, with another hilltop waiting eagerly to be planted. The excitement in Keith's voice is palpable as he discusses his planned South African-style garden, brimming with captivating ideas.
Euphorbia 'Blue Haze' and Anthemis tinctoria 'EC Buxton' weave their strong shapes among the floating Stipa tenuissima, while a carefully pruned Fitzroya cupressoides stands tall in the backdrop, adding an air of grandeur.
The Lower Water Garden is a lush haven, where vibrant Hemerocallis 'Ariadne' and Campanula lactiflora bloom abundantly alongside pools brimming with tall stands of Pontederia cordata.
*Attracting Wildlife in Your Garden*
The garden beckons a wealth of wildlife, from insects to birds. The free-draining slopes serve as perfect homes for Erigeron karvinskianus and Linaria triornithophora, intermingling with vibrant poppies and ox-eye daisies, while old cider apple trees provide the perfect backdrop for a myriad of floral delights.
Swathes of golden Eschscholzia californica and Oenothera stricta self-seed, painting the ground in shades of sunshine, while deep maroon Dierama flowers whisper among delicate pink Diascia fetcaniensis, creating a harmonious symphony of colors.
In the courtyard, upright Potentilla recta 'Warrenii' and fiery-hued Hebe ochracea 'James Stirling' stand tall amidst a crowd of cheerful ox-eye daisies. Looking towards the house, golden plumes of Eragrostis curvula create a hazy backdrop to the shimmering stems of Stipa gigantea, merging elements of both Mediterranean and South African allure.
Worthy to Know
Address: Green Lane, Buckland Monachorum, Devon PL20 7LP. Tel: 01822 855755, Website: www.wileyatwildside.com
Opening Hours: Occasionally in spring and summer to correspond with the main peak flowering seasons; see website for details.
So, take a step off the beaten path and lose yourself in Keith Wiley's enchanting and breathtaking masterpiece, Wildside. It's a tribute to nature's beauty, a testament to dedication, and a beacon of ecological inspiration. Just remember, dogs are not allowed on the premises to ensure the safety of the fragile ecosystems.
- The Wildside garden, created by Keith Wiley, is a remarkable blend of home-and-garden lifestyle and meticulous gardening, transforming a ordinary four-acre orchard into a captivating oasis of diverse plants and landscapes.
- Every corner of Wildside's landscape caters to unique plant communities, just like how Keith captures the spirit of natural landscapes worldwide, modifying them into gardens.
- In Keith's Wildside garden, plants like Euphorbia 'Blue Haze', Anthemis tinctoria 'EC Buxton', Hemerocallis 'Ariadne', and Campanula lactiflora thrive alongside others, creating a harmonious symphony of colors that attract wildlife and showcase his dedication to gardening.
