Marwood Hill, Barnstaple

20 acre garden in a steep valley setting in north Devon near Barnstaple, the creation of plantsman Dr Jimmy Smart, now managed by a charitable trust. Set around three lakes is a fine collection of trees and shrubs including over 800 varieties of camellia, magnolias, birch, eucryphia and rhododendron. There are many herbaceous plants too including National Collections of astilbe and Iris ensata which all love damp conditions beside water. These images were shot in spring when magnolias were flowering, including glorious Magnolia sprengeri 'Marwood Spring' which originated in the garden.