Great Comp Garden, Kent

Covering 7 acres, Great Comp Garden is tucked amongst the undulating countryside of Kent and surrounds a 17th Century Manor House. The house has enjoyed a rich history since it was built, and in the early part of the 20th century, was owned by a friend of Vita Sackville-West, Mrs Maxwell. Mrs Maxwell was a suffragette and a campaigner for women's sport, especially cricket. The gardens were developed in the 1950's by her successors at Great Comp, Roderick and Joyce Cameron and now showcase beautiful and rare plants throughout the seasons. In Autumn, its wonderful collection of deciduous trees take centre stage as their foliage turn to vibrant hues, with a palette of reds and oranges thanks to Rhus typhina, Cotinus and Acers set against a backdrop of dark green thanks to mature evergreen trees. Ornamental grasses add soft and delicate textures to the planting with Miscanthus, Pennisetum and Panicum planted amongst late flowering perennials such as dahlias, Persicarias and Salvias for which the gardens are renown for, thanks to the garden's curator, William Dyson. Wild mushrooms have also been colonising a large tree stump. An eccentric collection of follies is dotted around the gardens and appear here and there whilst one meanders along the narrow paths.