Gardens at Afton Park on the Isle of Wight

The gardens are an ongoing project at Afton Park.

The Summer Gardens were first planted in 1998, as a potager or an attractive way to supply the Cafe with fresh produce. However over a four year period the salad and vegetable crops have given way to more ornamental plantings like the Apple Walk.

The Cottage Garden was planted in 1999 as a sheltered seating area for the Apple Tree Cafe which opened in the same year.

The Gravel Garden was added in the spring of 2002. Designed as a dry river bed and planted with a combination of grasses and perennials it meanders through the garden.

The Seaside Garden was added in 2003 and uses an old wooden dingy salvaged on the north coast of the Island after a storm. The garden features many hardy coastal and salt tolerent plants.

New Borders have been added to the gardens over the past 5 years and shelter belts have been grown as much of Afton Park is exposed to full sun and wind and is only a mile or so from the coast of the Isle of Wight so many of the plantings reflect this location.

The Wildflower Meadow has has established itself almost by accident as a part of the gardens and is at it's best in June and early July before the hay crop is taken.