21. Sheep Field

Used by a local farmer for winter grazing.

22. Butterfly Valley and Pond

Created in 2019. The topsoil has been removed to reduce fertility and the area sown with native wildflowers. Originally sown with 25 native species, this number has increased rapidly and a survey in 2023 found 85 species of plant. A clear example of how quickly nature can recover given the right conditions.

The pond is part of the rainwater harvesting system collecting winter rainfall from the garden centre roofs to use for irrigation of the gardens and garden centre plants in summer.

Sit on the deck, in the Adirondack chairs and enjoy the pond and wildlife.

23.Tower Arboretum

Unusual trees, meadow and meandering paths. It is hoped in due course to build a viewing tower to enjoy looking down on the garden and to see across to Lady St. Mary’s church in Wareham 2 miles away.

24. Giant’s Causeway

Based on the Isaac Newton quote ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants’. An homage to all those who have influenced horticulture through plant hunting, breeding, distributing, conserving to those who have designed, innovated, built and written about gardens and garden design. Without these ‘Giants’ we would not have the amazing opportunity to create the gardens of today.

25. Filbert Street

Completion in 2025 – A green lane lined with drystone walls high banks and covered with hazel trees to form a natural winding tunnel. Influences include Cornish hedge walls and forest tracks described by Tolkien in the Hobbit.

26. Garden Nursery

Plants grown for gardens. No public access.

27. Reservoir

Harvested rainwater for irrigating gardens and garden centre. Holme is self-sufficient in water.

28. Native Tree Nursery

To help with local environmental tree planting projects.

29. Woodside

The most sheltered part of the garden, cool and shady allowing us to grow maples and woodland plants.

30. Jim’s Wood

Jim Goldsack (Simon’s father) cleared the 15ft Rhododendrons so the wood could recover with bluebells, stitchwort, woodbine and other native woodland flora. Rare Camellias, Japanese Maples and ferns will gradually replace the thick carpet of holly seedlings.

31. Wisteria Walk

A high arch and wrought iron framework with 14 different Wisteria varieties forms the central part of the tunnel vista which integrates the Pear Tunnel and Hanami Avenue.

32. Hanami Avenue

Japanese cherry variety ‘Ichyio’ planted in 2020 to celebrate the Japanese cherry blossom festival of Hanami.

33. Annual Flower Field

Once a common site in the UK countryside these cornfield annuals put on a sensational show in June and July and are buzzing with pollinating insects. This annual display is gradually being replaced with a more sustainable mix of rare trees, shrubs, conifers and perennials.

34. Hypericum National Collection

This is Holme’s first National Collection of plants inherited from Wakehurst Place (Kew’s Sister Garden). A National Collection seeks to preserve and conserve rare species and cultivars within a particular genus. We hope to have many more of our own sourced National Collections in future including Magnolia, Sorbus, Viburnum, Physocarpus, holly and Japanese Cherry.

35. Grass Car Park – South

Even here the horticulture continues with 7 different types of walnut, foxglove trees, Indian Bean tree and Indian Chestnut.

36. Solar Panels

Part of our Zero Carbon goal. These produce two thirds of the business electricity requirements.

37. Grass Car Park - North

38. Main Car Park 

39. Entrance