Saturday May 19 2012
Gardening Archive
TheVillage Gardening
Gardens full of surprises
Posted on May 21 2011 at 1:47:37 0 comments
Make sure you discover all the treasures our local gardens have to offer, writes David Morgan.
It’s amazing what surprises you can find in the local gardens open for the National Garden Scheme (NGS) – and in June you can visit gardens with links to the Civil War, masses of water, half a village and even a folly. You may also bump into one garden owner who has appeared in TV dramas like Morse and A Touch of Frost!
These days it is not unusual to find water features in inland gardens, as ponds, small waterfalls and even fountains have been added behind many suburban homes, but the first of our region’s gardens opening in June can only be described as a long riverside garden as well as ponds, a waterfall and waterside borders.
Indeed, when you first visit Rectory Cottage in Alvechurch you cannot help being impressed with what the owner, Celia Hitch, has created with so much water around and running through the garden – and yet water is not the only feature.
There is a courtyard garden with pergolas and a variety of plants including roses and hostas, and even an aviary with budgerigars in residence.
Rectory Cottage will be open on June 5 from 1–6pm (admission £3) and is in Old Rectory Lane (B48 7SU for satnav users!)
Water is also a feature of Pump Cottage in Weatheroak, which opens two weeks later on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, June 18 – 20 from 11am–5pm (again admission £3). As well as a number of water features in the garden itself, there is a large natural pool with water lilies and a wildlife area at the bottom of the garden.
But before you reach that you may stumble upon the odd brick-built folly and a number of other artefacts and interesting features that have been added over the years. Owners Barry Knee and Sue Hunstone are continually improving and changing their garden, as are so many garden owners who open for the NGS, in an effort to improve the enjoyment of visitors and keep the garden interesting since so many people go back year after year.
Pump Cottage is a true “plantaholics” garden, extensively planted with colourful borders, roses, a rockery and bog garden –and this year Barry and Sue have added a new fernery.
Pump Cottage is in Hill Lane and there will be ample signposting (the yellow NGS roadsigns) and people there to help you park. They also do a range of cakes that are becoming well-known in the area, which you can enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.
During the weekend between these openings, Seechem Manor in Rowney Green Lane opens its garden gates. This is the garden with links to the Civil War, as it was once owned by Colonel Thomas Millward who served in Cromwell’s army in the 1650s. However, current owners the Sethias have promised that visitors will be made most welcome regardless of their support or otherwise of the Royal family!
Although the house is not open to the public, it is full of history, dating back to 1482. It suffered two major fires in the 1690s so was significantly renovated before the 18th century. It was said that Henry VIII stayed here for at least one night.
The garden is more recent, having been created over the past 15 years by Nicky Sethia, and occupies approximately three acres of the total 18 acres that surround the house. The property is approached down an oak tree-lined drive with wildlife pond and meadow. Climbing roses, clematis and wisterias adorn the property.
Within the garden there are herbaceous borders, a rose walk, ponds with water features and abundant wildlife to create a peaceful, rural haven. There is also an orchard, a vegetable garden and mixed poultry on the premises.
Seechem Manor is open on Saturday June 11 and Sunday June 12 (and again on July 10) from 11am–5pm, and admission is £3.50.
Finally, at the end of the month, half of the villagers in Withybed Green open their back (and sometimes front) gardens to the public, with no fewer than six gardens to view for the princely sum of £5. The gardens vary in size and style and include a rose garden, ancient woodland, allotments, small cottage gardens and a stream-side walk.
The six gardens are in a charming environment and you can easily walk around all of them. The houses and cottages (which are not open) mostly date from the 19th century, built for farm workers, nail makers, canal and railway builders. The village also has its own canalside pub, The Crown.
Withybed Green gardens will be open from 2–6 pm on Sunday June 26.
And the thespian who appeared in such mysteries as Morse and Frost? Well, like those programmes, you’ll have to work it out yourself!
All gardens allow children in free when accompanied by an adult and Pump Cottage and Seechem Manor also welcome private visits by appointment – for more information visit http://www.ngs.org.uk
* Alvechurch Village Society has arranged a private evening viewing of 24 and 28a Braces Lane, Marlbrook on Wednesday July 6 at 7pm.
These two wonderful gardens are open several times a year with the prestigious National Garden Scheme and well worth a visit. Tickets £5 to include a drink and biscuits.
Please contact Eileen McHugh 0121 445 6080. All are welcome.
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