Barrons Splendid Topiary

Elvaston Castle, Barron's Parterre garden


Last Friday, I needed to go to Nottingham to collect a round glass window, as you do (£19.95 – eBay bargain!). The journey took me along the A50 from Stoke-on-Trent past Derby. It was far too good an opportunity passing so close to Borrowash not to call in at Elvaston Castle for a bit of research. One of the ‘Dead Gardeners’ associated with Betley Court is Scottish landscaper William Barron. Barron was an inspirational gardener, skilled at grand horticultural schemes and hard-landscaping, but also a knowledgeable nurseryman. Of course, he is best known as the Tree Mover, and a leading light on the craft of topiary, both exemplified to the highest level at Elvaston Castle gardens. I am always surprised he is not better known or feted today.

Elvaston Castle was once the grand home of the forth Earl of Harrington, and he employed Barron to redesign the garden as a loving tribute to the earl’s wife, the actress Maria Foote.  I don’t know if her profession inspired the Earl or Barron, but Barron has used every design trick in the gardener’s repertoire to create drama, mystery and theatrical experiences.

When I think of Derbyshire, the landscape in my mind is the rugged rocky outcrops of the Peak District. The south of the county though, is flat and undramatic pasture. This is the uninspiring landscape Barron was confronted with when he started work. In fact, the Earl’s father had tried to engage ‘Capability’ Brown to landscape the ground – Brown refused due to its flatness!
Rock feature, framing the view

Undaunted, Barron devised a way of draining the land, creating a picturesque lake near the house. He then used earthworks, rock features and evergreen planting to create an intriguing walk around the lake’s banks. Cleverly, Barron used rocks to build follies that guide the eye across the landscape and hold the viewers interest.
Folly ruin

The Earl was an impatient patron, and wanted his garden created quickly. Barron rose to the challenge, utilising evergreen trees to make grand sweeping avenues and vistas, and perfecting his tree moving techniques. In an era of instant gratification, when a monkey puzzle tree can be purchased 24/7 online, it is quite boggling to see the range of expensive and difficult to acquire specimen trees Barron planted during this transformation of the part of the Derbyshire lowlands. By 1850, he had planted every known species of European conifer in the grounds.
Church Avenue

Yews were a passion with Barron, and the gardens at Elvaston boast many varieties with different coloured leaves, incorporated into the designs (including Cephalotaxus harringtonii – named in honour of the Forth Earl). The designs are so playful. Giant yew peacocks guard the front of the Castle. In the Italianate Garden coiffured topiary takes on the appearance of huge chess pieces. To the west of the Castle, clipped symmetrical maze-like scrolls dominate, the best view for visitors being from the top of a short flight of steps (although I would love to see the view from the Castle top rooms). 

Elsewhere, avenues frame views, and tempt visitors further into the gardens, often with a focal point in the distance. Barron employed choice specimen trees, architectural ornaments and sculptural topiary extravaganzas to draw visitors on.  And as buildings and features within the garden have been designed to be ornamental (a Moorish temple, a boathouse, the Golden Gates), the whole garden takes on the feel of a series of theatrical stage sets. I like to think of the Countess Maria being cajoled into performing monologues from her favourite plays to her adoring husband, with Barron’s verdant planting as the scenery.



Today, anyone can visit Elvaston Castle gardens and view what remains Barron’s fine work just for the cost of car parking. Given the grounds were once maintained by an army of 80 gardeners, the current owners, Derbyshire County Council do a great job with comparatively tiny budgets and limited labour. I do hope you’ll take the time to visit one day. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with links to websites that will tell you a little more. We’ve tentatively talked about the possibility of a Barron’s Trail, linking remaining examples of his garden designs with another garden ‘friends’ society, so who knows what the future will bring?



Best wishes

Ladybird Su



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