Summer is well underway at Goldstone Hall Hotel & Gardens, and there is still so much to see and explore across our beautiful Shropshire gardens.

From the vibrant planting in our walled herbaceous borders to the productive kitchen garden, July is a wonderful time to visit and experience the changing character of our English country garden.

A riot of summer colour in the walled herbaceous border

Along the walled herbaceous border – recently featured in the Financial Times by Robin Lane Fox (4th July 2026) – the garden is moving into a richer, hotter palette of summer colours. The relaxed, slightly rambly planting style is now coming into its own, with perennial favourites such as hollyhocks creating dramatic vertical interest.

These tall, elegant flower spikes thrive at Goldstone and have settled into their preferred spots halfway along the border and either side of the entrance to the “Veg Garden”. Their height and structure bring a quintessentially English country garden feel to this part of the garden.

A stand of hollyhocks along the herb walk marks the entrance to the new dry garden, which runs northwards from this area. The asters (now renamed in modern horticultural classifications) are beginning to flower, while the exotic Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ adds a spectacular splash of fiery red among the planting – truly the “red devil” of the summer border.

Exploring the Goldstone kitchen garden

As you turn towards the kitchen garden, the contrast of planting becomes particularly striking. The white daisy flowers of Leucanthemum growing on the bank create a stunning display against the architectural forms of the giant thistles, beautifully framed by the deep tones of the purple beech behind.

Within the large rectangular borders, dahlias are beginning to join the display, while combinations such as Kniphofia and red monarda are adding further bursts of midsummer colour.

To misquote “I predict a riot” Kaiser Chiefs 2004 it will not be scary or gory but nevertheless a riot of colour will develop over the next few midsummer weeks.

The calming scents of the herb garden

The next turn up the herb walkway will calm and sooth as the Mediterranean balminess will take over. Rub your hands in the savoury, sage, rosemary and thyme to release the herby essence of long hot summer days, quite a mood change from rioting to Simon and Garfunkel. The curry plant Helichrysum italicum is in full yellow flower and the culinarily useless plant wafts garam marsala into the heady mix.

Seasonal produce from the one-acre kitchen garden

Back to earth, kitchen garden production is in full swing with tomatoes ripening, courgettes forming and runner beans running up their poles in the poly tunnel. The dessert grape development in there is of triffid proportion. We have decided to leave them well alone and see what happens because perceived wisdom is that the plant would not have produced so many grapes if it could not handle ripening them to a decent size. We shall see.

Looking after the Goldstone gardens

Around the wider gardens, we are beginning the seasonal work of trimming hedges and bringing back a little formality to contrast with the exuberant growth within the borders.

The grass areas are also receiving some help from our newest garden team member, Molly the Mower. This GPS-controlled robotic mower works seven days a week, quietly keeping areas maintained while allowing the planting around it to flourish.

If you spot Molly during your visit, she is perfectly friendly and will happily navigate around you. She does occasionally speak, although visitors should not expect too much conversation! Please do give her plenty of space if she crosses the driveway – we are still not entirely convinced she understands the Green Cross Code.

Visit Goldstone Hall Hotel & Gardens

Whether you are staying at Goldstone Hall Hotel & Gardens, enjoying a meal in our restaurant, or planning a garden visit in Shropshire, summer is a wonderful time to explore the changing seasons and discover the many layers of our award-winning gardens.

If you meet our gardeners Sarah and Louise during your visit, please do ask them any questions – they are always delighted to share the stories behind the planting and the work that goes into maintaining the gardens.

Enjoy your time wandering through Goldstone.

Best wishes,
John Cushing
July 2026