Open GardensComments from our members
This is a beautifully kept place popular at any time of year, in the spring the woodland is covered in snowdrops, the walled Victorian garden is well kept and run with old varieties of vegetables and flowers, there is a small garden centre which sells some plants, a gift shop, stables, blacksmiths which is open on certain days, a cafe, a farming museum a park for the children, a minature steam train, a deer park, ducks on the pond, peacocks, and of course the Hall itself. They have Victorian open days where you can see how the Hall was run in those days, the staff are dressed in Victorian outfits and you can 'have a go' at washing, polishing, etc.,
Its an informative and beautiful place right on my doorstep!!
On open garden - Normanby Hall Country Park
Visited about 10 yrs ago - for me the 2 most memorable bits were 1. the dephinium trial beds and 2. the impressive collection of eucalyptus trees, which were really beautiful and really opened my eyes to this group of trees, some with lovely flakey bark in shades of silky grey and cream and others with fab shapes like the ones that tapered up to the sky like ribbons. I also bought Agnus the Cactus from there. He's still going strong and recently became a mother..er...father I mean.
On open garden - RHS Wisley
A hillside garden that is undergoing some restoration. There are woodland walks, a newly restored swimming pond and kitchen garden. Also an orchard, quarry garden and wildflower meadow . Or relax on the terrace and admire the views over the beautiful Sussex countryside. Volunteers in the garden and woods help James Masters (head gardener) to undertake the restoration projects on the estate.
On open garden - Standen
The gardens at Felbrigge Hall are well worth a visit , lovely walks in the grounds and a walled garden with a dovecoat , apple orchard , veg, flowers , chickens freely scrapping about as well . all for you to enjoy !
On open garden - Felbrigge Hall
The garden will be open during 2009 for The National Gardens Scheme by appointment only on the following dates:
SUNDAYS 12th,19th & 26th July from 1pm to 5pm.
Admission: Adults £3.50
Children under 16 free.
Private visits for groups and individuals at other times can also be arranged by appointment.
Please visit our website at:
www.victorianhousegarden.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
for our contact details.
Unfortunately due to steps and decked areas wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.
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Grenville and Alan also give illustrated talks about their unique inner- city garden to gardening groups and other organisations.
Further details are also available on our garden website.
On open garden - The garden at 28 Kensington Road.
Open days in 2009:
February 22 Sunday (2 - 5pm) (National Garden Scheme)
March 22 Sunday (2 - 5pm) (National Garden Scheme)
May 9 Saturday (2 - 5.30pm) (National Garden Scheme)
May 10 Sunday (10am - 5.30pm) (Walsall Heart Care)
May 16 Saturday (2 - 5.30pm) (National Garden Scheme)
May 17 Sunday (10am 0 5.30pm) (Walsall National Trust)
July 25 Saturday (2 - 5.30pm) (National Garden Scheme)
July 26 Sunday (10am - 5.30pm) (Macmillan Support)
August 9 Saturday (2 - 5.30pm) (National Garden Scheme)
August 10 Sunday (10am - 5.30pm) (Parkinsons Disease Society)
October 25 Sunday (2 - 5pm) (National Garden Scheme)
Admission £3, children free
Tea and biscuits extra
Note: There are some steps. Toilet at garden level.
On open garden - Four Seasons
My favourite garden (after mine of course!)
On open garden - Hidcote Manor Gardens
We visited Westonbirt today, September 19th. We walked along paths through wonderful towering trees of both native and foreign species. There are collections of Acers which were just beginning to change colour. Dogs are allowed in part of the Arboretum, but we were not able to enter the Old Arboretum which I gather is more formally laid out with planned vistas. If you like trees, you will love it here!
On open garden - Westonbirt Arboretum
A new vegetable and fruit garden that has been built with the help of volunteers and Primary School children
It has walls that have been built out of heather bales wheich have been harvested from the New Forest
On open garden - Fairweather's Learning Garden
Fantastic place , It really is like a jungle , the plants are huge , Tree ferns ,cannas , Bannanas , it,s a place not to be missed for something unusuall
On open garden - Urban Jungle
If anyone intends paying a visit to Exbury, you might like to take a slight detour and stop in Brookley Road, Brockenhurst. Towards the Sway Road End of the street you will find a cake shop, with cream cakes to die for. I have never seen such big cream cakes. All their pastries and sandwiches are lovely too and can be made to order. One word of warning though, if you want a choice get there before midday. After that all the locals will be buying their lunches and very little choice is left. I think the shop closes very early in the afternoon. Sorry can't remember the name of the shop, but one look in the window will tell you that you have found the right place.
On open garden - Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway
A little gem of a garden.
Most in this area of Cornwall are very large and grand but this one is easily toured in an hour or two although I would recommend staying longer and just sitting by the thatched tea house drinking tea and eating delicious homemade cakes.
The gardens have been planted with a lot of thought and to cover all seasons. Their is a large wooded area to tour round that we didn't see as it started to rain heavily. That is planted up with Rhododendrons and Azaleas which look at their best in May/June. The first walled garden has two large borders running down the sides that look at their best in June/July and then the fiery prairie garden around the lower lake is just stunning in August/September.
There is also a grass maze next to the teahouse to accupy children, and the first lake with the biggest Gunnera in the middle that I have ever seen! (A clever optical illusion as Gunnera will not grow in deep water being a marginal/bog plant.) For the vegetable growers there is also the raised vegetable garden in the second walled area.
I would love to revisit this garden in the sunshine as it drizzled and then rained heavily the whole time we were there.
If you see Vicky, the main gardener there, say hello. She is a mine of information and loves to chat. She also grew the Proteas (planted around the lower lake) from seed herself!!
On open garden - Bonython Estate Gardens
our next open day is on saterday 13th september 11-3ish. we will be raising funds for the british red cross. there is a £2 entry cost and there will be home-made cream scones courisy of daughters rosie and lilly with a little help from nana! if you cannot make it on this day we are open 7 days a week. the garden is also visited by gardenings groups by appointment throughout the year.
find us on www.pembrokeshiregrowers.co.uk
On open garden - Corseside Nursery
A wonderful gem of a garden.
The planting schemes have been carefully thought out, with wonderful rare plants nestling amonst more common native ones.
The yew tunnel with it old trucks and branches is being restored with thought and care.
The new Ninfarium is a wonderful surprise. Creepers, orchids and palms nestle in ruined nooks and crannys and with each turn of the path a new wonder is discovered. The mixture of scents are fabulous, definately the highlight of the vist.
That said I find it hard to criticise - beautiful relaxing garden, with thougthful and knowledgeable staff.
If you only have time for one garden in wales this has to be top of your list!
On open garden - Aberglasney Garden Carmarthenshire
A wonderful day out for everyone, spread over more than 300 acres there are a multitude of things to see and do. The gardens are spectacular no matter when in the year you decide to visit. The glass houses and ornamental gardens are a must and if you aren't too scared of heights the new Treetop Walkway allows you to get a unique view. If you do suffer a little vertigo be warned that in windy weather the walkway does move slightly which some may find disturbing.
From my review on trustedplaces.com: http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/richmond-upon-thames/attraction/1o82j8u/kew-gardens
On open garden - Kew Gardens
Cobwebs Nursery is a small nursery with the most amazing cottage garden plants. We spend a lot of time down there looking around her wonderful gardens..
Pauline the owner is a lovely lady and very friendly. The garden has been entered into the Yellow book for the first time this year.
On open garden - Cobwebs Nursery
We visited The Crocosmia Gardens when it was the Open day on
Sunday 24th August.
The site was great, very quaint, the elevated
garden reached by a series of old stone steps. Reaching the top step,
the garden opened out in a riot of oranges, yellows, golds and flaming
reds. Surrounded by a sea of delicate limey-green sword leaves, every
type of Crocosmia, all grown in pots was available. Beautiful, small trumpet flowers as pretty as any freesias, single, double, two colour varieties, they
were all there to choose from.
It was great to meet Mark and his family, they were very busy answering questions and advising the many people about the plants. Being a great
cat-lover, I was delighted also to meet Scutch, a handsome ginger
tom who was incredibly 17 years old!
The icing on the cake, literally was a well enjoyed slice of Mark's Mum's
delicious sponge cake and a cup of coffee. Lovely!
Well worth a trip to and not difficult to find, we are looking forward to our next
visit here.
Jane and Ian Robinson
On open garden - The Crocosmia Gardens
We visited this nursery in 2007. The owner Sarah Wilks is a lovely lady and has the most amazing array of plants.
I of course love my Crocosmia and she has a very very good selection.
All in all it was a very worthwhile trip.
On open garden - Properplants.com
This is a wonderful place to visit for anyone who loves gardens. It is a peaceful nature sanctuary with paths that meander through the shaded woods to the different garden areas. The beautiful "Singing Tower" is fabulous! It has a carillon that is played at scheduled times of the day. The sound of the carillon music can be heard throughout the gardens. It sits atop one of the highest hills in FL. It is also one of the National Historic Landmarks. This is definitely a spot I would recommend to any nature or garden lover. They have a lot of info on their website, they even have a schedule for what plants will be in bloom at certain times of the year.
On open garden - Bok Tower Gardens / Historic Bok...