Visitors to Houghton Lodge Gardens this season will discover something new in the outer gardens. The Peacock Garden at Houghton Lodge has undergone significant restoration over the closed period following the loss of its historic box parterre to a combination of box blight (Cylindrocladium buxicola) and box moth caterpillar (Cydalima perspectalis).
A History of Box Blight at Houghton Lodge
Originally conceived as a rose garden, the Peacock Garden was transformed into a formal topiary garden featuring an intricate box parterre and yew peacocks. As the only formal area within the gardens, it provides a striking contrast to the naturalistic riverside planting and heritage orchards.
The first signs of box blight appeared in 2004 when dieback began affecting plants in the parterre. Following confirmation from the RHS that the cause was the fungal pathogen Cylindrocladium buxicola, all affected material had to be removed and burnt, with the ground sterilised, scorched, and rested before replanting.
The parterre was replanted with Buxus sempervirens, a variety with larger leaves considered less prone to infection. In 2016, blight returned, but a careful regime of feeding, fertilising, and targeted fungicide applications maintained the planting.
However, in 2025, the combined impact of box blight and box moth caterpillar proved too severe, necessitating complete removal and redesign.
A new chapter for the Peacock Garden
Last autumn, the Peacock Garden was removed and recreated. The restoration, carried out by Charlie G Landscaping Ltd, has retained the central box spirals, which showed resistance to both pathogens. The new design introduces plants with greater disease resistance and environmental adaptability.
Structural Planting
The main box hedging has been replaced with yew, which should cope better with the shade cast by the surrounding trees. Lily-of-the-valley, white catmint and vinca minor “Gertrude Jekyll” and we are also adding Gallium Odoratum (white woodruff). This will provide seasonal change around the evergreens. In the autumn, white bulbs will be planted to include snowdrops, leucojum, and some white narcissi.
Vertical Features
Obelisks have been installed in each of the four triangular beds surrounding the metal peacock sculpture, supporting:
- Rosa ‘Madame Plantier’ – an antique white rose dating from 1835, known for its apple scent and pink-tinged buds
- Clematis ‘Prince George’ – featuring crinkled white flowers
This white color scheme complements the Grade II* listed Cottage Ornée that forms the garden’s backdrop.
The Shrubbery
The area behind the Peacock Garden, the Shrubbery, has benefited from some tree maintenance, where an abundance of elders had taken over. A number of sycamores have been removed, along with a yew tree that died due to waterlogging. Replacement trees will be replanted to fill these gaps and will be particularly selected for autumn colour.
More projects
Oriental Garden
A new rockery has been created on the island in the Oriental Garden, using Purbeck boulders, and is planted exclusively with shrubs and perennials of Chinese and Japanese origin. The pond has been dredged and cleared, improving water quality and wildlife habitat.
Pocock’s Roses
We are incredibly grateful to have been dedicated two rose beds by Pococks Roses. The rose by the entrance to the gardens is Rose de Resht and in the other bed (at the entrance to the garden) is Brown Eyed Girl.
Tree of Avenues
The disease-resistant elm avenue (Ulmus ‘Ademuz’), planted in January 2025 as part of the Hampshire Forest Partnership initiative, has established successfully with no signs of Dutch elm disease. Both the Elm Avenue and the existing Cherry Avenue have been underplanted with iris and narcissus bulbs for spring interest.
Heritage Apple Collection
Fourteen new apple trees were added to the collection in November 2025. Grafted by Sparsholt College, these specimens include only varieties documented in similar orchards between 1750 and 1900, maintaining the historical integrity of Houghton Lodge’s heritage orchard.
Woodland Glade and Fishing Hut
At the southern end of the garden, a number of trees have been removed that
had died due to waterlogging. There are plans to establish a woodland glade here. Visitors can see the new fishing hut (reserved for fishermen): This is modelled on designs by
John Plaw, almost certainly the architect of Houghton Lodge. We hope to plant a large hedge of Green Grove Bamboo, Phyllostachys aureosulcata spectabablis, to screen the fishing hut from the end of the lawn. This is one of the hardiest bamboos, and very attractive with a yellow-green striped pattern and red streak. It is upright growing and perfect for use as a tall screen in the garden.
Project Credits
Winter restoration work was completed by Charlie G Landscaping Ltd (Andrea, Bear, Medo, Ollie, Sam and Charlie), with pond dredging assistance from David Burnfield. Plants were supplied by Will at Mathias Nurseries.
Ongoing maintenance is provided by the Houghton Lodge gardening team (Cat, Lesley, Lynda and Seth) and volunteers Jonathan, Jon and Peter.
