It was a morning of Granges and rain. From the Grange at Heydon I drove the twenty minutes or so to Brinton Grange. The rain was coming down particularly heavily as Lesley invited us in for coffee. It was good to see our NGS president being propped up on the cook book stand in the kitchen, in preparation for the opening on Sunday.

The rain mercifully stopped and we began our tour of the garden entering through the tree arch to the right of the house.

Turning right we went through a gate into an enclosed area which houses the swimming pool and hot tub. Here an old mulberry tree stands tall. The border is edged with lavender, seed heads of alliums pop up through the gentle stipa tenuissima which is then backed by clumps of bold miscanthus grass.

Leading off from here through a rose arch is a table and chairs; a delightful area from which to enjoy the cutting garden.

Around the corner of the house we come across a splash of roses amongst the rich planting of shrubs.

Against the grey sky rises a Monkey Puzzle tree, araucaria araucana, its canopy raised to provide a colourful border,

and where the entry cited in the Domesday Book is carved by engraver Teucer Wilson http://www.teucerwilson.co.uk/home/about/.

A finely shaped specimen of Wellingtonia, sequoiadendron giganteum stands on the lawn.

Shrubs are shaped and tweaked all around this house, giving the sense that the new extension is very much part of the garden.

 

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ skirts the base of a variegated holly and softens the paving.

The garden was designed with foliage and texture in min; it is calming and verdant. Although it is already immaculate there is much activity today and an army of workers are busy tidying and clipping in preparation of Sunday.

But wait a minute, what is this unsightly object that has just appeared across the lawn?

It is best to keep ones eyes on the parterre, laid out in front of the Victorian house.

It is as if berberis thunbergii are flames rising up around the mounds of holly.

The Wedding cake tree, cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ looks impressive,

Then a goddess by David Harber is revealed from the package and put into position, she now awaits the arrival of the electrician to bring her to life.

Some gardeners will not have yellow flowers in their garden; they must surely be mistaken as Rosa ‘Pilgrim’ with its soft yellow is a gem.

It is indeed easy to grumble about the thorns on a rose but this plaque on the wall, has wise words to impart.

It is good to see a sensible width of a path laid along the side of the house and from here we return to the drive.

We admire the ginkgo biloba trained against the wall before we go down to the vegetable garden, first crossing Water Lane, and passing through the orchard.

The new walled garden is built with high quality flint work and was designed to go around the original espaliered apples.  Richard and Lesley are very keen vegetable growers and the solid gate opens on to a picture of horticultural excellence.

Straight paths lead through neat rows of produce.

The handsome cat is immensely proud of it all.

Peaches, nectarines and apricots grow against the fine walls and the tayberry, a delicious cross between a blackberry and raspberry, is ready to pick.

Leaving the walled garden we pass the tennis court, an area not normally given over to beauty but I cannot help but admire the finish on the wire fence posts.

Paths are mown through long grass in the wild flower meadow,

where there are pale common spotted orchids growing.

The trio of Chickens seem surprised by our visit.

and we return to the house through the orchard,

admiring another piece by Teucer Wilson.

The garden is open tomorrow Sunday 25th June from 11am – 4pm. Admission is £5.00 and in 6 acres of ground there is a huge variety to see. With recipes from Mary Berry and eggs from those fine hens, the teas alone will be a must.

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