Crossing over the bridge, turn sharp right down the steps. This border was created in 1972 and the yellow clay soil has proved very hard work to improve, as it probably came from the excavations of the cellar under the house. Originally designed to be a grey foliage border we found it too difficult to maintain these more delicate plants due to its cold north aspect. White and variegated plants were introduced, but we felt it was still a dull border and in 1993 a few patches of red were put in. The Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea' here is the original plant from which layers have been taken for the many which you see throughout the garden. Below the path the bank is planted with Rosa 'Nevada' and the wonderfully sweet scented Philadelphus coronarius 'Aureus'.

Philadelphus and Cornus in the North Border