Scampston Hall Walled Gardens

The 4½ acre Walled Garden at Scampston opened for the first time in May 2004.

The garden has been created by the internationally renowned designer Piet Oudolf. It is unashamedly modern but perfectly complements, and is in balance with, the C18th House and Park.

The garden is divided into a series of spaces, each with a character of its own.

There is a long border walk, under an avenue of 200 lime trees, around the perimeter wall with mainly spring flowering shrubs and under planting.

The central area is divided into a series of large rooms, each with a clearly defined character of its own.

The main focus of the central area is a perennial flower meadow using a rich palette of reds, yellows, orange and purple. The planting here is Piet Oudolf's signature style, and is designed to give a long season of interest.

Other areas feature structural shapes of clipped box and yew, waves of different grasses in parallel with close mown lawn, stunning herbaceous borders with choice plants, and a reflective pond surrounded by columns of yew.

A grassed pyramid 3m high is an unusual and striking vantage point from which to view the garden in its entirety.

Although Piet Oudolf may be best known for winning a gold medal and "Best in Show" award at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2000, his most recent commission is the Gardens of Remembrance in Battery Park, New York, a short distance from the site of the World Trade Centre.

Other Oudolf gardens are in Chicago USA, Enkoping Sweden, Amsterdam Holland, the RHS Garden at Wisley.