In the heart of the Somerset countryside, James Hitchmough has built a garden that draws on a lifetime of experience in naturalistic planting design. The two acre site incorporates multiple habitats supporting an amazing biodiversity. Nearer to the house is a generous south-facing sloped gravel garden (of varying gravel depth), which transitions to shady habitat at the boundaries where mature trees have been retained. This area has been planted with a rich matrix of mostly seed-raised plants designed for a long season of colour and texture, and a resistance to drought. Sinuous paths take you through the gravel garden down to the Hay Meadow, where James has planted over a hundred trees, many raised from seed, which he studies for drought tolerance as they establish. One of the most remarkable aspects of this garden is the speed with which it has established, especially given the harsh nature of the past two summers. Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, packed as it is with emotional drama, but it is also a garden that will teach the horticultural world many lessons in the years to come.