Garden visiting, looking at what is through the garden gate, especially those open for National Garden Scheme, with just an occasional foray here and there.
A few weeks ago I was staying near Aberfeldy in Perthshire and having walked the delightfully rugged ‘Birks of Aberfeldy’, I decided to visit the tamer landscape of a garden open for Scotland’s Gardens Scheme https://scotlandsgardens.org/bolfracks
Bolfracks, how could I resist with a name like that, is open everyday from 1st April – 31st October. You enter through the summer house, look at the map and take the path which rises steeply behind.
A druidic specimen of an evergreen conifer Cryptomeria japonica, confronts us and with a twist of the trunk beckons us on up the slope,
where we find the graceful Acer griseum; we pause for a moment, breathe in the scent of autumn and take in the distant landscape emerging through its ascending branches.
It is so much about trees at this time of year, and where better do the birches grow than in this part of the world. This is the Chinese red birch Betula albosinensis.
There is plenty to see on the autumnal ground; curious cones,
the bewitching but poisonous white goblets of Colchicum autumnale ‘Album’,
and another little toxic gem, that iconic toadstool, the fly agaric Amanita muscaria.
Identified on the map and to the right of the path is the Old privy, a ruin now it provides comfort only to a variety of ferns.
A little further up the path is the pond where giant leaves of the Gunnera almost hide the dark peaty water where water lilies bloom. It rained all morning and now the sky is a generous blue revealing the distant hillside.
The well-made steps take us gently further up the garden. They are an art form in themselves.
The lichen clambers eagerly up the trunks of the trees, a sign of the air being so good here,
it is an intriguing plant remaining this soft silvery shade of green all year round, it grows everywhere.
We weave in and out of the different areas, stepping through the gentle sleeping lions into the area known as the burial ground,
not for a moment a sombre place, but an area rich with colour of the maples that are beginning their autumnal display; how do they manage it ?
There is a touch of the alpine as we come to the Wendy house, but catching the sound of the distant stags beginning their rut we are reminded that we are in Scotland.
This is not a young garden, there are many mature shrubs; well planted, with much to see throughout the year. Plenty of engaging features like this wooden bridge,
a variety of dry stone gateways,
and flights of sturdy stone steps, through the moss-covered walls,
until we have reached the summit, where the path traverses along the top of the slope and with joyful colchicums growing under a multitude of roses that promise to bloom again next summer.
A path descends back down to the house, an herbaceous border running alongside showing that summer is not yet over, as there are still splashes of colour. The long descent emphasises the steepness and shows what a masterclass of gardening it is on a slope.
This garden was created during a time when teams of gardeners were in attendance, times have changed and it is easy to understand the need for modern maintenance, perhaps forgiving the slightly shaggy appearance of the lawn only to discover the mowing machine has crash-landed in a flowerbed;
maybe modern mowers are distracted by the appearance of a rainbow, even though it is somewhere over the River Tay.
There is a wide variety of Rowan trees that I did not know existed, this beauty is Sorbus sargentiana.
We leave the long border of rugosa roses running along the bottom of the garden, their ripe and delicious shiny red hips glowing with late summer happiness.
The garden has opened for the Scotland’s Gardens Scheme for some 47 years, with a change of owners in recent years it is admirable that the present owners still allow us to visit, and it is a delight.
It was a joy to be out visiting gardens again and on my way driving to Hay-on-Wye for a jolly weekend, I found a garden open for the National Garden Scheme just the other side of Leominster, and very conveniently for me it was open on the Thursday.
You do not need to be a gardener to know that gardens opening at this time of year are all about snowdrops, and you don’t have to be a gardener to enjoy them. At Ivy Croft splashes of welcoming snowdrops appear all around the garden, either in the borders where they seem to be nudging those perennials to hurry up and push through,
whether in clumps or drifts, growing in grass or under trees, snowdrops look so appealing and just give a little ray of hope.
These were keeping warm growing up against the house. Garden owner Roger could not remember the exact name of these ‘Galanthus elwesii, a comfort to me that even the experts can get the labels muddled.
We begin our exploration of this four acre garden with the area by the house. There are those familiar winter gems all around and growing near the front door is the divinely scented Chimonanthus praecox also known appropriately as Wintersweet. I regret taking the saw to mine and if you have not got one I urge you to go and buy one.
Below, the handsome clump of soft blue winter-flowering iris catches my eye. These Algerian iris Iris unguicularis flower from November through to February, the individual flowers look quite exotic in a vase.
All gardens look a little bare at this time of year but as we venture to the front of the house an elegant seat and stone troughs add another dimension,
and to embellish the scene there is nothing like a touch of topiary …
You can see how evergreens are a necessity in any garden particularly in winter; here they soften the hard landscape and guide you along the path past the reddish brown stems of the Acer griseum.
Every Spring I mourn the fact that I have not planted enough hellebores, and as Spring gathers apace, I simply forget. These just look so heavenly.
We need some colour at this time of year and what better plant than these cheeky cyclamen emerging out of the grey stone.
Walking away from the house, the vibrant stems of the Cornus draw us into the wilder area of the garden. Wild it may look but I know these parts of the garden can be a lot of work.
I can’t help but admire the green of the conifer, its branches elegantly flowing down to the ground and am surprised to find it is Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Impricata Pendula’. If you check out The Woodland Trust website it cheerily informs you that the wood is rot-resistant which is popular in Japan for making coffins.
Gardens are not all about flowers; Roger uses woven willow in several places in the garden, either as a screen or as a quirky seat arbour.
and it is easy to forget the beauty of the small cones of the deciduous common alder Alnus glutinosa,
whilst the evergreen Garrya elliptica, drips with silver tassels. This is a bush which I find suffers the cold but dislikes the wind.
The garden was created some 25 years ago and has an air of maturity about it. Neat paths wander through wintery shrubs and trees, glimpsing every now and again the promise of spring,
and out in the open while the lawn looks so verdant and trim, the ornamental grasses seem to be experiencing a bad hair day.
How a drop of paint gives a simple wooden bench a touch of vibrancy, a focal point in a spacious area; the blue seems to blend harmoniously with the bright green.
A Mulberry is the central feature of the working vegetable garden, where paths are sensibly wide and firm waiting for the laden barrow to pass through the organised beds.
Surrounding the vegetable garden are trained fruit trees, one adorned with the mysterious mistletoe, which grows quite prolifically in the orchards around the county.
It is difficult not to admire this splash of Hamamelis mollis; several varieties grow in the garden, but this is near the car parking area and the scent is uplifting. To the right are the pleached limes underplanted with ‘oh so perfect’ box balls.
Behind the parking area is the whitest of birches contrasting with the evergreen fine yew buttresses, and what a perfect way to cheer up an unremarkable building. I am inspired to recreate the idea.
Roger is a true galanthophile and has collected and cultivated quite a selection: they are clearly labelled boasting endearing names. My friend Jill falls for a beautiful yellow ‘Treasure Island’ until we notice the price. To be fair it is not an unreasonable amount as some Snowdrops can reach staggering prices but we just aren’t in the market. So she goes for a different yellow, Galanthus ‘Spindlestone surprise’ while I settle for the ‘Godfrey Owen’ with its six outer petals, and also the virescent ‘Rosemary Burnham’, whose white petals look as though they have been brushed lightly with green.
Ivy Croft is open for the National Garden Scheme for Snowdrop Thursdays throughout February and March, and is open throughout the year. For details of this garden and other snowdrop gardens near you check out https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/14669. To see Roger’s list of snowdrops and some lovely photographs of the garden in summer, go to http://www.ivycroftgarden.co.uk/. I hope to pass this way again.
Hospice gardens do not immediately spring to mind as ‘must go to visit attraction’. However while on child care duties in south London last weekend I took the opportunity to visit The Royal Trinity Hospice, Clapham Common which kindly opened its gates to the public in aid of the National Garden Scheme.
The Hospice, with its elegant facade situated on the north side of Clapham Common is the oldest hospice in the UK and was created in 1891 with thanks to the generosity of William Hoare who donated £1,000 of the £2,000 needed to set up what was known as The Hostel of God, the remainder of the funds being raised by public subscription. Originally situated around the corner in The Chase, the hospice by 1894 had 10 beds and patients were cared for by an order of nuns. In 1899 the hospice moved here to Clapham Common Northside, where it has expanded and evolved over the years with the late 1970s – 1980s seeing a significant rebuilding programme in order to improve the facilities and patient care environment.
It was during this time that the renowned landscape architect Lanning Roper visited the site and, waiving his fee, drew up plans for the 2 acre garden.
Photo borrowed from Lanning Roper and his Gardens by Jane Brown
Roper did not live to see his plans carried out, dying in 1983. So landscape architect John Medhurst was commissioned to lay out the garden, and included in his design such details as Roper’s generous curving brick paths which not only gently lead you to a hidden area but help those in a wheelchair glide seamlessly through the garden so as to enjoy the planting.
The majority of hospices rely on an army of volunteers, several of whom last Sunday gave up their time to greet us at the gate, directing us in through a side door. An easy access, with neither gravel nor steps, a joy for wheelchair or buggy users and something many garden owners where possible, might seriously think about.
You might be forgiven for expecting an uninteresting hospitalised space, a touch morbid even; instead however, you would in that first moment immediately feel that this is indeed a very special green space.
The raised beds on either side are well planted and display a rich variety: aromatic herbs mingle together along the left hand side,
on the other, a rose defies the approach of autumn and flowers steadily as if it is June
whilst the rugosas are into their autumn hips.
There is even a touch of wilding to be enjoyed.
Paths bend and flow, and as in life, choices need to be made….
it is the benign sound of water trickling down into the ornamental pond that beckons us round to the right.
Climbing up the steps it is the generous colourful pots which bring a splash of joy to those hard landscaping areas,
and from the balcony above the circular pond there is an opportunity to look out and take in the serenity and size of this mature two-acre London garden.
Descending the steps we begin to explore the many hidden areas. A substantial clerodendron grows beside an intimate area. This shrub is very happy here sending up suckers across the path; a native to China it is a quirky coincidence that the roof behind has a slightly oriental feel.
A grassy enclave is home to a fine Catalpa tree , its trunk needing support, it happily grows on.
The gardens were very dilapidated before Roper was involved and his first priority were the trees. This old Horse Chestnut tree provides not only a point of interest but also a marker between two separate areas. Its branches must hold many a secret of those conversations shared beneath on the deep seated benches.
Beyond the tree there is quite a different feel as we enter the pond area. Hospices are not just about the patients who are dying but also for those who remain to live on. Here is a perfect place to absorb all the many emotions that go with that unknown future. This afternoon it is pure joy for the first time in weeks, to benefit from the sunshine and the dappled shade.
Situated on one side of the pond is the kinetic sculpture entitled ‘Four Open Squares Horizontal Tapered’ (1984) by George Rickey, its subtle movement by the breeze from time to time provides an absorbing distraction,
whilst a monster lurks in the deep below.
There is a high standard of horticulture here and the Head Gardener has 28 volunteers to keep in order; it looks a serious business.
Behind the pond stands a substantial greenhouse,
next to which is the productive area providing an air of home-grown; the runner beans are prolific,
and strawberries too, in their own patch.
There is even an active and busy bee hive which produces Trinity House Honey.
Roper suggested the paths be kept clean with neatly trimmed hedges enticing you to journey into the next space.
He also suggested a palette of soft blue, silver, pink and white which continues to this day. Patients can enjoy the mix from their rooms.
The site is divided in two parts with the modern inpatient complex at the centre. We walk up the steps to where mature trees dominate a fine circular lawn. The Plane tree provides a good meeting place,
with elegant circular seating around its base.
The circular theme is echoed in the perimeter path from where
you can glimpse through the shrubs and trees the sun shining down onto the mown lawn where stands the round pleasing pebble sculpture.
Completed after his death the garden became a memorial for Lanning Roper and has been open every year since for the National Garden Scheme.
Our local hospice in West Norfolk has only recently been built and with it, a beautiful garden planted by volunteers. Let us hope they will sometime soon find a way to open their gates so that visitors can not only appreciate the valuable contribution that hospices make but also help raise funds for the National Garden Scheme.
Last month I was delighted to be able to visit Thenford, Northamptonshire on one of its open days. A very private and expansive garden it is the stately home of Lord and Lady Heseltine who acquired it in 1976.
As we swept through the imposing gates we had no idea what to expect, other than we knew there was a walled garden and an arboretum. The afternoon sunshine welcomed us in.
We thought this would be a pleasant distraction from the Covid troubles only to find as we parked in the field north of the house, that many other visitors were decked out in face masks; surely not necessary for an afternoon outside?
Heading straight ahead of us to the sunken rose garden which is south west of the house, it is the Barn owl which catches our eye; so realistic in its stance we wonder if it might take flight.
The roses, all helpfully labelled are understandably not at their best now but the putti provides entertainment instead.
This heavenly bench must be the perfect place to linger and enjoy the heady scent on a summer’s day.
We decide to visit the arboretum first and so take the path along the south front of the handsome Grade 1 listed house. On the lawn Guy Taplin’s graceful cormorants enjoy the unspoilt view from the ha ha.
October is the best time to visit an arboretum, and Thenford did not disappoint. An enviable collection of trees; approximately 4,000 different types. The maples (Acers) in particular are in glorious technicolour, some have turned golden
others bright red, and all showing how nature can age so majestically.
The berries delight too, from the simple Spindle Euonymoushamilton English Charm,
to the scarlet berries of the Rowan Sorbus matsumuranu
and to the small black berries of Aronia melanocorpa grandiflora, the black Chokeberry.
Take a look at the litchen growing on the bark and how well-armed is the trunk of Gleditsia japonica koraiensis.
The arboretum is spread out over 70 acres and, following the path through there are tranquil glimpses of pasture, sheep and lake.
There are some 113 champion trees (individual trees that are exceptional examples of their species because of their enormous size, great age, rarity or historical significance) here planted well before the Heseltines arrived here, however this young liquidamber demonstrates that planting is ongoing.
A few flowers are evident, the white flowers on the Viburnumplicatum f. tomentosum ‘Dart’s Red Robin’ determinedly project upwards,
and the low growing shrub Heimia salicifolia which has tiny yellow flowers. Native to S. America you can obtain your legal high from this little gem but, I am informed, it is quite short lived.
It is also a watery landscape with the three medieval fish ponds planted decoratively with not only trees but also a diverse selection of shrubs and perennials, with an abundance of bridges that span and reflect; there is a green, a red,
a blue
and a neat brick, the shape of which
is similar to that of the ice house.
Sited above the fishponds and best viewed from near the ice house is the parish church of St Mary caught in the afternoon sun.
In such a vast area benches are a necessity and so often in public spaces they are there to commemorate a person. This one, a birthday present from the grandchildren, perhaps touchingly displays something of the owner’s character ‘Grandpa to sit and scheme’.
The leaves beneath our feet give off a delicious aroma of caramel; they have fallen from the Katsura tree, Cercidiphylum japonicum.
It is hard to believe that a tree trunk could be quite so white; in this grove the low sun highlights the brilliance of the silver birches.
Moving on we come to yet more water, the New Lake where reflections seem brighter than the actual image.
Along the lake is a gathering of humble but handsome hawthorns, cratageus crus galli,
similar but smaller cratageus canbyi
and looking good enough to eat, the orange-coloured hips of cratageus x lavallei carrierei.
This is the southernmost tip of the arboretum and before turning back we pause awhile and admire what has been achieved here over the past forty odd years and wonder what it will look like in another forty years.
On the hillside we come across three conifers looking like some weird and wonderful beasts.
Passing the house again we head for the walled garden over on the east side and find in Lannings Walk this wicked little chap.
I make a mental note to plant cyclamen hederifolium, they brighten up any woodland floor.
Here and there ruined arches appear,
adding a little interest and a window through which to view yet more.
And what are these dark curious objects lying around the base of the tree?
Close inspection reveals they are fallen suits of armour.
Just to the right of the entrance to the walled garden is an amazing sight. These early snowdrops are not unusual in appearing now but how glorious they look amongst the maple leaves. This variety is Galanthus reginae-olgae ‘Tilebarn Jamie’ and is just one type out of 600 different snowdrop species grown here. Next February there are two afternoons scheduled for snowdrop walks.
It is a very different feel on entering the walled garden where we are greeted by marble elephants.
This space is very organised, neat and overwhelmingly geometrical, a complete contrast to what we have already experienced. Inspired by Andre Le Notre of Versailles and Vaux-Le-Vicomte fame, it was I understand sketched by Lord Heseltine, and then the designer George Carter made it happen. A more appropriate designer you couldn’t have as he specialises in formal gardens inspired by the simple geometry of 17th century gardens http://georgecartergardens.co.uk/. Incidentally George who lives in Norfolk will be opening his garden next year on Sunday 19th September for the National Garden Scheme.
Paths criss cross systematically and continue through rotundas.
The walled garden covers two acres allowing enough space for sizeable greenhouses. There is even an aviary, and it is the call from these birds that is the only sound you hear in these enclosed walls.
In one corner is the head of Goliath, or is it Billy Connolly? Whoever he is he is cleverly in tune with the fig foliage behind.
In another corner diametrically across are two sentry boxes silently waiting to be sat in.
There is an area for vegetables but curiously these artichoke almost look out of place.
From all around you can see the central fountain.
Outside the walls along the south side is a mixed border with all sorts of delights,
interspaced with elegant seats,
and across the strip of grass the border runs along the field side,
where metal moon windows invite you to look out across the distant countryside.
We make our way back through the trees in Lannings Walk,
and into the field where the cars are parked. The head gardener is selling the Heseltine’s book and looking at the front cover I realise that we have missed the rill. He urges us to take a look (at the rill, not the book which is wrapped in plastic – covid precautions) and so we hurry back.
The light is fading as we hurry back to find the splendid rill bubbling away in all its glory.
Just below the rill, water plays off the broad leaf plant, and yes you might be forgiven for not realising it is made of metal.
Just further on we discover the Sculpture Garden. Oh my, how could we have missed this.
Sculptures, many of which are contemporary British, are displayed set out on the grass bays backed by beech. ‘The Dancers’ by Lilly Henry could be straight out of Strictly.
Gracefully tall and thin is ‘The Vessel’ made of slate and fibreglass and has been created by Maryanne Nichols, a sculptor from Suffolk,
and lying solidly on the ground is Ronald Rae’s ‘Head of John the Baptist’.
It is quite a collection; too many to include all, but Phillip Jackson’s gentle lady ‘Reading Chaucer’ is a delight although her pages are in fact blank.
Lastly we admire the massive ‘Head of Lenin’ by Dzintra Jansone which was removed from a town square in Preili, Latvia.
Returning to the car we slip past the watchful eye of the hounds on the lawn and say our goodbyes, and promising to return the Head Gardener advises us that May is the best time.
Our visit has indeed proved to be a wonderfully refreshing distraction with incidentally, not a face mask in sight.
It is always a delight to find a garden gate open for the National Garden Scheme on a Wednesday. So on my way to pick up some items for my own garden from Lime Avenue Antiques https://limeavenueantiques.co.uk/ I called into Furzelea at Danbury near Chelmsford in Essex.
As I entered the enforced one way system my eye is drawn to the beautifully trimmed bay leaf, and already in my mind I have re-shaped my dull specimen at home.
Weather-wise it was not really a day for garden visiting but the good thing about the ticketing system is that you have already purchased the ticket so you might as well go. And I was so pleased that I did.
It is a joy to come across a plant that I am unfamiliar with, and there it is at the beginning of my visit, Acacia baileyana Purpurea; sadly my camera skills did not do justice to the silvery purple feathery leaves.
We are directed to the east side of the house, where dainty diascia mingles amongst the rosemary and tulbaghia around the foot of the wall.
Opposite, through the arch, we are drawn to the gap in the hedge which has the effect of extending the path until you realise it is a mirror cleverly placed in the ivy.
It is such a good idea to have the productive part of the garden so close to the house and not far down at the bottom of the garden. Just imagine nipping out to pick a lemon for your g & t before munching your way through a little something with fresh cucumbers, followed by bowlfuls of raspberries.
The path meanders away from the greenhouse down through
such a pretty palette of pinks and purples.
You can take an alternative route down the steps from the terrace by the house through the arch to the lawn,
where curvaceous edges guide you onwards with such rhythm and movement, swirling you around well-planted beds and wonderful shapes.
You can trample the camomile steps down to the little pond or continue round on the lawn,
where you can admire the Angels’ fishing rods Dierama pulcherrimum, dangling daintily over the water.
An arch of golden hop with its shaggy boot of ornamental grass Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ makes an entrance to the narrow path made from nut shells collected from the two copper beech trees in the drive.
Roger and Avril have lived here for nearly forty years and it is so hard to believe that this spacious area was once an unkempt field where their daughters’ ponies grazed. Tucked away down in the left hand corner the clipped topiary twirls highlight
a fine thatched summer house which provides the perfect place to sit. I wonder if Roger and Avril ever find time to sit in this plant-packed garden; they employed no help doing all the work themselves.
This area is so cleverly divided; an island bed with a purpose and a magnificent array of planting.
The plant combinations in this garden are a noticeable feature and they are superb. Behind us in this long border there is a blend of yellows not just in flower but also in leaf.
The garden also opens earlier in June for the display of roses and as I walk back up towards the house I can imagine how lovely this arch must have looked.
On this dreary day there has been no shortage of colour, a haze of rich burgundy from the cornflower which have happily self-seeded in this part of the garden,
and the roses may be over but the clematis are clambering for attention; either softly adorning a pergola,
growing through the metal support at the back of the border,
or simply scrambling through the wisteria against the house.
Before we leave we make a final visit to the pond where we are reminded that it does rain in the east,
and from the terrace situated by the back door there is a misty view over the garden.
Government guidelines have put the serving of refreshments on hold. So, never wishing to leave a garden empty handed I turn to Roger’s plant supports which he has been making in aid of the National Garden Scheme, this year he has raised an incredible £900. Well, you never have enough supports.
Hurrah, the National Garden Scheme has begun to open some of its gardens. The system has changed a little and I had to go the website to pre-book my ticket online beforehand, which was perfectly easy and I found a small garden in Ely. It is such a long time since I have been anywhere so I was quite excited and having made my online purchase I was not going to let the cold miserable rain put me off.
Ely was void of the usual tourists and after managing to remember how to manoeuvre my Mini into a convenient parking slot I walked up the street towards the Cathedral, the grey clouds were pretty threatening.
It was a windy day and by the time I reached the cathedral it was blue sky.
Number 38 is minutes from the historic centre and as I walked along the residential street I received a warm welcome from the roses. The original plan was to open with a group of other gardens but coronavirus prevented this from happening.
The gate was open with a plant stall in front, and garden owner Julia had been busy raising and selling plants during the lockdown making over £600 for the National Garden Scheme. Julia is a retired nurse and she believes this is her way of helping.
I hurry down the west side of the bungalow, as that sky does not look too good.
A garden on heavy clay and with Ely’s dry climate this is surely a welcome load,
despite the threatening clouds there is a sunny feel to this secluded back garden. Julia and Peter have lived here for three years working hard to restore the garden from a jungle of ivy.
For her 80th birthday, family and friends gave Julia the materials and labour to create a rock garden on a dry piece close to the house.
Here grow all sorts of treasures; a bright horned poppy with glaucous leaves,
the enchanting Dianthus cruentis
and a fishy friend.
Beyond this area is the fountain and the glaucous theme is repeated around the base.
The roses have been truly floriferous this year and here is no exception. Through the arch, I walk into a little fruit area
and come face to face with some ripening greengages. The bungalow was originally built on the site of an old orchard and several fruit trees remain providing an abundance of apples, plums and quince.
Returning through another arch I am back into the main garden where there is an explosion of colour reminiscent of the sixties, those classic summer plants roses, alstroemeria and delphiniums.
Roses planted by previous owners are blooming everywhere mingling with shrubs including the sweet-scented philadelphus.
Over in the corner are the raised beds, the perfect size for vegetables, and close by is the all-essential greenhouse where Julia’s skills raise many a plant.
The garden is well screened being surrounded by mature trees, and several wooden arches provide height and interest. Here it is a perfect support for the pink climbing rose, and the yellow jasmine fruticans is pure joy.
Wafts of honey fragrance fill the air and I know it is not from the jasmine but am unsure where it is coming from until I discover this lovely unusual viburnum japonicum just by the house.
There is a convenient one way system, and along the east side of the house a border has been designed to give form and foliage colour,
with astrantia major popping up below to add to the colour.
Out in the front again where the Judas tree is in full leaf, salvias, geraniums alstroemerias are just a few of the plants in this dry open space.
This small daisy-like perennial Erigeron karvinskianus is so useful for softening those hard areas.
Garden owners are prohibited from providing teas, and it is a blessed relief to those of us who have added centimetres to our waist lines during the lockdown. So I head for home, the recommended distance for visiting is about 20 miles, and I must admit to have slightly exceeded this suggestion, but for those of us living in rural places the requirement might have to be more. However, you must remember that no facilities can be available and on the way home I was glad that my journey was not longer and next time I will remember not to have that second cup of coffee before I set out.
Gardens will be uploaded each week on http://www.ngs.org.uk where you can purchase your tickets. If you cannot get to a garden or do not wish to venture out, why not enjoy one of the NGS video virtual tours?
There has been no greater time when we need to support our nurses, and the all-round benefits of visiting a garden are huge.
Last Thursday number 7 Spencer Road, situated by Wandsworth Common in London was open for the National Garden Scheme, an evening opening beginning at 5.30pm.
It so happens that I look after my grandson on a Thursday nearby so it seemed an opportunity not to miss, with the added fact of course, the young chap was keen to accompany me.
The entry in the Garden Visitor’s Handbook describes it as the ‘garden designer’s experimental ground’ and with a quirky quince winding up in front of the window on the street side, it promised to be an intriguing garden.
A touch of topiary compliments the terracotta pots on the front steps which are filled with Cleome hassleriana ‘White Queen’ combined with the dainty white Euphorbia hypericifolia ‘Diamond Frost’
We hurry through the narrow, thankfully uncluttered walkway to the left of the front door ever anxious to explore what is beyond.
Young Alfie allows just a second for me to pause and read the notice; I am not quite sure if it is a warning or indeed an apology.
Then in that way of secret gardens we find ourselves in an inviting explosion of branches and verdant leaves. It is a compact space and I am glad we made the decision to leave the pushchair at home.
No lawns here but a glorious variety of plants through which stone steps and a narrow, natural looking path are laid; slightly off centre it has a way of encouraging those small feet to hurry along.
Several visitors are already here chatting and admiring the rich planting in this beautiful space but that does not deter the grandson as he slips through their legs
clutching his friend Piglet.
The garden is long and thin and faces north-east. We are very careful not to tread on the tapestry of foliage and flower growing at ground level.
For the not so small visitor there is much to see at eye level, horizontal and vertical shapes with a gentle dabb of colour.
The ultimate destination is the sunroom situated at the far end of the garden; it was built at an angle to reach the later lower light of the south-west winter sun.
High up on the corner of the roof is a plant in a pot and garden-owner Christopher Masson feels that in London gardens, such pots should be raised up high.
Around every corner there are beautiful combinations of containers, plants and structures,
cleverly arranged to give height, interest and an elegance of antiquity.
As those little legs explore the garden we are naturally attracted to the pond, calming and restful,
the sound of water gently trickling over the stone plinth is mesmerising.
There is that rose again, my favourite I have seen it everywhere this year and seemingly always in flower; it is Bengal Beauty.
Places to sit and relax are positioned to capture those precious moments in the sun,
just a perfect spot to nibble a pork pie.
The garden is planted specifically to be enjoyed in late summer; Eucomis, Dahlia and Plumbago are a joy at this time of year.
It has been a good year for Salvias and they will continue to flower on into the Autumn.
Not yet in flower is the bewitching Tibouchina urvilleana commonly known as the Glory Bush. It is new to me but Wikipedia tells me that it comes from Brazil
and shows a picture of a stunning flower.
We haven’t time to stay too long, as Piglet says it’s time for bed. So we leave Christopher Masson sharing his expertise in his glorious ‘experimental ground’, his own ‘hundred acre wood’.
We have had good fun, both of us in our different ways; never too early to share our love of garden visiting and I think how fortunate we are that the National Garden Scheme allows children to enter without charge.
It is a glorious time of year for garden visiting, however I fear many of us this afternoon will be staying at home to watch the Wimbledon finals. So I am going to take you around Batteleys Cottage Garden which I very much enjoyed last Sunday when it was open for the National Garden Scheme.
Situated in the village of Wortham on the Norfolk/Suffolk border I parked on the sandy heathland and walked up the drive admiring first the charming little corner on the right,
and then decorative bicycle propped against the wall on the left.
Like so many of the gardens open for the scheme, this is privately owned, created by the owners and has a delightful element of surprise when you enter. Stepping onto the lawn to the right of the cottage you are drawn in by this intriguing centrepiece.
The neatly mown lawn (no worn Wimbledon patches here), is surrounded by borders packed with plants; a perfect place to pause awhile and take in the beautiful surroundings.
Across the way bursting out of the perennials, is an explosion of soft blue delphiniums.
It is not just the colour of these borders that is so attractive, but the texture, the rhythm and the movement. It is hard to believe that not that long ago the area was a mass of blackthorn and bramble and not a single herbaceous plant to be seen.
When Andy and Linda began to work on the garden some seven years ago they had to clear 30 huge Leylandii from the boundary. Now a gravel path winds around the perimeter allowing views across the neighbouring fields and letting in light onto the roses cascading around the arches.
The garden is seamlessly divided into different spaces; from the more formal area closer to the house,
through to a wilder area further away, creating a different atmosphere and making the whole one acre garden feel much larger.
This simple map explains the outline but does not show the tremendous impact of the rich planting.
In the centre of the garden is the summer house looking out on to a delightful pond,
an area not only perfect for wildlife but also a place where winged sculptures gracefully fly.
Andy and Linda have no help in the garden each working on average two full days a week. They do however find time to enjoy the results of their labour positioning the many seats around the garden to their best advantage. This elegant seat is set in the long grass in the orchard.
Clematis come into play in every part of the garden, either scrambling with roses against trees,
or climbing up well positioned obelisks,
this is the handsome, velvety ‘Romantika’ who will flower through to the Autumn.
The mix of light and shade has a soothing quality,
as does the gentle sound of the water flowing in the stream.
Around every corner there is something different,
sunny, characterful and almost quirky.
There are two areas for vegetables and it is a delight to see this potager sited conveniently right outside the back door.
Linda has a family link with India and it was on a trip there that she was able to purchase this stone plinth.
Returning to the lawn in front of the house I find this bewitching couple emerging gently from the mixed planting.
Inevitably I succumb to the delicious tea and apricot cake, and it is from the colourful patio outside the sun room that I can really take in the splendour of this beautiful garden.
A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed a day at Parham House in West Sussex https://www.parhaminsussex.co.uk/plan-your-visit/. Looking at the garden through the lens of a camera I attended a two day course, sadly shortened to one and run by the Artist in residence the celebrated photographer Elizabeth Zeschin https://www.zeschin.com/.
Photo taken from Parham House website
As is often the case on so many courses I have experienced, you find there are those who arrive brimming with confidence, armed with the best equipment and a knowledge they are keen to impart, and then there are those of us who have no idea what they are doing, come with inadequate tools and simply want to learn a little more about how to improve their photography and move on from using the automatic button.
We met in the Seed Room where Elizabeth is holding her present exhibition; beautiful salt prints, black-and-white painstakingly developed, and in the corner stood the dauntingly old-fashioned camera which she had used to photograph them.
Following our instruction on ISO, aperture and shutter speed, and trying not to trip over my trusty tripod (I had to borrow one as mine was incomplete), we headed out into the garden. Concentrating on all that had been said I took my first photograph; the result was unremarkable, utterly dull and very flat.
Parham House is a wonderful Elizabethan house and as you walk into the walled garden you are overwhelmed with the generous and vibrant planting and you can’t help but feel that many have walked this way before. Situated in a sheltered spot in the far distance you can see the South Downs.
We entered through the south gate; the garden was not open to the public so we had the glorious four acres to ourselves. We were spoilt for choice and pointed our lenses where we could. Fellow student and NGS garden owner chose her spot carefully and looked the part.
The garden is divided into many areas. The main pathway runs north to south along a central axis. Crossing it to the west is the blue border with pools of nepeta billowing out onto to the path, extending towards the painted door in the wall,
and to the east the gold border stretching towards the oak door with the roof of the dovecote rising above.
The summer house on the north wall provides the perfect focal point. Either side of these calming gentle strips of lawn are the memory walls; made of stone they were built in 1965 by Veronica Tritton (the great aunt of the present incumbent) in memory of her father the Hon. Clive Pearson who bought Parham House in the 1920s and restored the property.
I couldn’t help focusing on this divine little chap sitting at the end of the wall and I worry people might not necessarily notice him. As I adjust my lens I realise there is much to think about; how much should I zoom in? Should I include the meadow to the side? Shall I frame him in the evergreen oak?
And then Elizabeth kindly lent me her macro lens and a whole new world opened up before me. The white froth of flowers on the Crambe cordifolia takes on a new appearance and I am reminded of my flowerless plant at home which has never really recovered from being moved.
However the architectural Angelica archangelica flowers freely at home spreading its seeds happily, although I try to keep it contained within the drive.
It is a new intriguing world through this lens; surely there is no better common name for nigella damascena than Love-in-a-Mist.
We are absorbed with our cameras for several enjoyable hours and as we return for a late lunch I cannot but admire this collection of pots. Aren’t professional gardeners so clever at filling those shady corners.
After lunch we blinked ourselves out into the afternoon sun and returning to the walled garden I am drawn to the orchard area immediately on the left. Shadows have appeared over the mown paths through the long grass; it is of course a different light.
Standing boldly, the apple tree spreads its branches and if you look carefully, the mistletoe can just be identified in this tapestry of greens.
Across the way to the orchard the faded wisteria drips over the entrance to the plant sales. I must resist and concentrate on camera in my hand.
So I move swiftly up to the north-eastern corner where the uncut meadow contrasts with the clipped box surrounding the vegetable and cutting garden.
Gardens are so much about health and wellbeing and here is a place that you can escape, admire the flowers, the shapes and form, perhaps take inspiration or simply relish the peaceful surroundings.
As the afternoon draws into evening the light changes again and so too does the atmosphere. The north wall is now bathed in the gentle warm sunlight.
Standing at the far end of the memory walls I position myself for some time under the apple tree watching and waiting for the shadows and trying to get the best angle.
Of course I understand why gardens have to close at the end of the day, but wouldn’t it be good if they remained open for that early evening magical light?
It is time to finish. We have spent a full day in the garden and goodness Elizabeth has patiently worked hard and has been a perfect teacher.
So to the finale, the oak door in the wall is opened, with an imaginary drum roll, and remembering Elizabeth’s on-going mantra ‘ If you can’t imagine it on the page of a magazine or wall of a gallery, DON’T PRESS THE SHUTTER’
I take my very last shot of the day. I hope you will agree that it is a huge improvement on my first!
I was in London last Friday and being such a glorious day I could not resist a visit. Situated in such an attractive part of London the walk through the streets of Chelsea full of magnolia blossom was a delight in itself.
Approaching this haven of four acres surrounded by high walls, I slipped in through the unassuming entrance in Swan Street.
Joining the small friendly queue I was able to admire these beautiful woven masterpieces created by weaver Tom Hare http://www.tomhare.net/.
The real mission of my visit was to try and meet up with an old friend who I trained with and who helped me through my RHS Diploma. She has recently became Deputy Head of the Plant Collections and I was thrilled to find her in her natural pose, bent over and nearly hidden in the flower bed.
It is a remarkable garden originally created in 1673 by the Apothecaries in which to grow medicinal plants; it is a museum – a living museum that can be enjoyed at all levels. On this warm Spring day the place was very much alive; I followed some visitors walking these neat paths absorbed in the informative audio guide, and
others who were simply enjoying the sunshine with their little ones,
whilst others gently dozed having enjoyed a delicious lunch at the cafe.
This pond was being much admired. Raised and surrounded by all sorts of little gems, it was the Tulipa heweri from N. Afghanistan that were winning the day.
There is so much here to learn and admire and, unusually for me, I decided to focus on the conservatory.
Cacti are not usually my thing but here they are so artistically displayed.
Here too, like a miniature garden with a stream running through, is the habitat of the Pitcher Plants Sarracenia,
a place where these extraordinary plants can thrive and dine out on their meal of flies.
Gardens are not just about plants. Here displayed in the borders, are the plants associated with various great men who have been connected with this garden. This bed commemorates Philip Miller who was gardener here for 48 years from 1722 to 1770, surely a lengthy period for any gardener.
There are other great names celebrated within these walls, most notably Sir Hans Sloane the primary benefactor, whose statue stands in the centre of the garden. In 1712 Sloane bought the Manor of Chelsea from Charles Cheyne leasing the garden to the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London for just £5 a year in perpetuity. The Garden still pays this sum to Sloane’s descendants to this day.
Other great horticultural names include William Forsyth and Sir Joseph Banks and this walk is named after botanist and apothecary William Hudson FRS, who published Flora Anglica in 1762.
As I stroll along absorbing the fascinating history of this place, the buds of the tree of the Quince Cydonia oblonga seem to shout out that Spring is here,
and down on the ground this is echoed by the cocooned head of a salvia indica first described by the taxonomist Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
‘Plants are the most important living things on earth’ and their evolution on this planet is explained in The Thomas Moore Fernery. Moore was the Victorian curator who made the Garden the foremost collection of medicinal plants in Britain.
‘A plant for every Nook and Cranny’ can be identified in this interesting arrangement.
You can absorb all these interesting facts or simply just enjoy the plants so helpfully and clearly labelled; I love this magnolia laevifolia ‘Velvet & Cream’ not only for its perfect blossom but also its delicious name.
It is not so much a designed garden but an organised garden where paths lead you through different and delightful areas; the enchanting Stachyurus chinensis grows on the edge of the woodland area,
and the mighty trunks of the Gingko bilabo stretch to the sky. This tree has such significance and is considered to be the oldest tree on earth. The seeds originally relieved asthma and bronchitis and its modern use is to improve memory and circulation; I need to take note.
‘Useful plants’ are displayed in and around a theatre; it is remarkable to find out their uses both ancient and modern.
When I see Bamboo I am always reminded of its immense strength, remembering once seeing it used as tower block scaffolding in Hong Kong.
A helicopter is clattering above keeping an eye on the march that I can hear proceeding along the Chelsea Embankment. For a brief moment I am irritated that here, even in this haven there is no escaping Brexit. Looking up, the helicopter is not visible and all I can see are the blooms of Paulownia lilacina reminiscent of wallpaper.
My daughter used to groan as I invariably gravitated towards the composting area of a garden; she now knows its importance and here two little heads of Drimys Winteri at the gate seem to welcome me in.
Tucked away in the South East corner, I am so pleased it is open for all to see.
Clean and efficient, the engine room of the garden, the bins are brimming with goodness.
Looking across one area of the garden there is a similarity to allotments but without the sheds and general debris that goes with them. These are the beds laid out in order of plant families,
and there is much activity today; the gardeners are so busy. Who would think you need to water in March?
I am surprised to find a rose in flower, with a relaxed informal habit and with single cherry-red flowers, Rosa x odorata ‘Bengal Crimson’, it is said to flower here nearly every day of the year. I have just planted one at home and will have to see.
Glasshouse areas can often be so dull and unappealing but here the verdant plants and arranged pots draw you in,
with each house having a glorious display.
They sum up the high horticultural standards of this magical and fascinating garden.
The bell rings to announce closing time and it seems no one is in a hurry to leave.
Open yesterday for the National Garden Scheme, the Garden is open from 11am to 6pm. Not only a botanical beauty (with over 5,000 plants, edible, medicinal and useful), and an exploration of garden history, it is glorious place to spend an afternoon.
The Garden Gate is Open 