About the garden
By The Way is an organic smallholding and garden situated on the north west boundary of the New Forest National Park. The garden comprises two thirds acre of south facing stony soil with clay seams running through and numerous, mainly deciduous, trees. Ph varies from <4 – 7.0, that is, very acid to neutral. Most sites are almost exactly neutral. Numerous underground springs ensure that the grass remains green despite two years of drought in the region.
The collection of eighty four Montana plants represents fifty five named cultivars, the oldest having been planted more than twenty years ago. More are added regularly as old and new cultivars are located.
No chemicals have been used for twenty years with alternative natural products used for pest control, propagation and feeding. Numerous water butts around the house and garden provide at least three gallons of rain water per plant each month – more when it rains! Home made potting compost, comprising half and half sieved two year old oak leaf mould and mole hill soil. Montanas are planted up in holes eighteen inches deep and wide. Home made compost (integrating donkey droppings, grass cuttings and garden waste) and leaf mould are mixed with bone meal to supplement the poor stony soil before planting. All montanas are fed with bone meal in November and a high potash feed in February. They are given a generous mulch of home made compost, leaf mould and wood ash several times a year to feed and prevent them drying out.
The garden hosts the National Collection of Clematis montana. There are hundreds of other clematis integrated within the garden.
Map of the garden
Find out more about the layout of the garden .
How to find us
Directions to the garden if you are interested in coming to see the collection.