Saturday May 19 2012
Gardening Archive
TheVillage Gardening
Gardens by appointment
Posted on June 20 2011 at 3:27:38 0 comments
You don’t have to be royalty to arrange private tours of local gardens, writes David Morgan.
Imagine for a moment being The Queen. Imagine being in such a position that you could ring someone up and say, “One would like to visit your garden and walk round your own part of this fine land!”
Well, perhaps she wouldn’t quite say those words, but if it happened, and she came, then that garden could become a garden “By Appointment”.
The Queen isn’t planning to do that (as far as we know!) – but if you are someone who likes gardens, then you may as well take up the opportunity instead!
There are many gardens that open for the National Garden Scheme (NGS) in Worcestershire that open “By Appointment” – which means that you really CAN become the dignitary for whom the garden is opened up on a day you can make it, rather than missing it because you were not available on one of the regular opening days.
So is it a case of “pick a date and pick a garden”, then off you go? Well, not quite. First you need to check whether the garden does private openings, by checking the details in the “Yellow Book” issued by the NGS, or from the Worcestershire NGS leaflet found in most good garden centres, libraries and tourist information centres, or at www.ngs.org.uk (you can even put in your postcode and find gardens within a specified radius).
In this area there are four gardens that open “By Appointment”. The first is Pump Cottage in Hill Lane, Weatheroak, a 19th century cottage in a rural setting with an amazing garden that you could easily drive past and miss if it wasn’t open for the NGS.
The garden is normally only open three days a year, but owners Barry Knee and Sue Hunstone actually encourage private visits between April and October, as long as the potential visitor has rung in advance.
And when asked what the minimum number of visitors Barry would open for, he replies with a glint in his eye, “I wouldn’t open for less than one!”
Pump Cottage (pictured above) is a wonderfully enchanting garden that extends to about an acre, with paths meandering through a rockery and water features, colourful borders, a bog garden and a romantic area with trees, shrubs and roses.
There is a large natural pool with water lilies and a wildlife area plus a Victorian-style greenhouse, brick features, a folly, numerous artefacts and ornaments. This year there is a new fernery and the garden is continually developing, especially with unusual woodland plants and spring bulbs.
Admission is £3 and Barry or Sue can be contacted on 01564 826250. It should be noted that there is restricted access for wheelchairs in some areas.
74 Meadow Road, Wythall is another garden that opens “By Appointment” and the owners, Joe Manchester and his partner Michelle, can be contacted on 01564 829589. This is an urban garden dedicated to woodland and shade loving plants.
It was first designed by the last tree warden in Wythall, Roy Pearson, and includes a huge Christmas tree with numerous ferns and hostas.
Joe says, “Expect the unexpected” when it comes to tropical and foreign species, and is a garden where one can sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Admission to Meadow Road is £2.50.
Another garden open in this way is Seecham Manor in Rowney Green Lane, Alvechurch. You will need to get a group together for this one as they state a minimum of 10 people, but when you see the gardens you will realise that it is well worth it!
The property is approached down an oak-tree lined drive with wildlife pond and meadow and then the actual three-acre garden surrounds a medieval manor house (not open).
Climbing roses, clematis and wisterias adorn the property and there are herbaceous borders, a rose walk, ponds with water features and abundant wildlife that all gel to create a peaceful, rural haven. There is also an orchard, vegetable garden and even mixed poultry.
Private visits are possible until the end of July and admission is £3.50. Contact Nicky Sethia on 0121 445 2240.
Finally, there is the group known as Marlbrook Gardens, close to the Marlbrook pub near Catshill. There are three gardens involved, each one individually stunning, and together they offer a breathtaking experience of contrasting styles and topography from gentle slopes to the steep terraces of a former sand quarry.
The garden styles include jungle, traditional and cottage, all overflowing with an abundance of plants including some rare exotics and vegetable areas. There are streams, ponds, artefacts, sculptures and glass houses.
Recognised for their excellence (they were included in the Daily Telegraph’s 50 Small Gardens Worth Visiting in their 2009 list), they are continually evolving.
The gardens are open “By Appointment” until the end of September (min 10 people preferred) so pick one, two or all three gardens and then pre-arrange refreshments! The cost will obviously depend upon what is required. Contact Janet Morgan on 0121 445 5823 for more details.
So there is no reason not to get out and visit some of the fabulous gardens in this part of Worcestershire!
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