Two gardens filled with a wide range of Spring flowers will be opening in Norfolk on Sunday March 27th in aid of the charities supported by the National Gardens Scheme. For the first time in several years Lake House in Brundall is opening to the public, having only been seen recently by organised tours. It covers three acres and has masses of daffodils and primroses with a backdrop of choice Camellias and Magnolia. All set in a woodland valley with a series of ponds leading to a lake abundant in wildlife.
At nearby 16 Witton Lane in Little Plumstead there is a complete contrast with a plantpersons Aladdin’s Cave of a tiny garden containing an incredible range of species tulips, scillas, dogtooth violets and many more spring bulbs and plants. This renowned collection has been developed in recent years with the owners travelling the world to find rare and unusual flowers. Some plants and bulbs will be on sale to visitors.
If you want to visit both gardens there is a combined admission price of £5.50 with free entry for children under 16. A really good value family day out to celebrate the first week of Spring.
Norfolk NGS County organiser Anthea Foster said “Lake House has generously opened for many years by appointment only and raised a substantial amount for the worthwhile charities supported by the Scheme. This is a great opportunity for those who missed visiting Lake House when it was open before.”
For more information visit www.ngs.org.uk or pick up a Norfolk 2011 NGS Guide from your local tourist information centre, garden centre or nursery.
If your our garden is blooming now is the time to contact County organiser Fiona Black to discuss opening your garden for the NGS Tel 01692 650247
Lake House (image shown)
Sun 27 Mar (2-5).
Postwick Lane, Brundall NR13 5LU.. 5m E of Norwich. On A47; take Brundall turn at r’about. Turn R into Postwick Lane at T-junction. Adm £4, chd free. Combined with 16 Witton Lane adm £5.50. In the centre of Brundall Gardens, a series of ponds descends through a wooded valley to the shore of a lake. Steep paths wind through a variety of shrubs and flowers in season, which attract every kind of wildlife.
16 WITTON LANE
Sun 27 Mar (11-4).
Little Plumstead NR13 5DL. 5m E of Norwich. From B1140 Norwich to Acle rd after railway xing, turn R at 2nd Xrds, signed Little Plumstead next to Brick Kilns PH. Take 2nd L into School Lane, then 2nd R into Witton Lane. From A47 Norwich to Yarmouth rd take L signed Witton Green & Great Plumstead just pass pylons. Then 1st R into Witton Lane keep going for 1½m, garden on L. Home-made teas. Adm £2.50, chd free; Combined with Lake House adm £5.50.
An ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ for the alpine and woodland plant enthusiast. Tiny garden with wide range of rare and unusual plants will be of great interest with its species tulips, daffodils, scillas, dog violets, many more bulbous plants and an abundance of trilliums and wood anemones. A garden indeed for the plant specialist. National Collection of Muscari.
Charities supported include: Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices, Crossroads, The Queen’s Nursing Institute, The Royal Fund for Gardeners’ Children, National Trust (gardeners’ careerships ) and Perennial.
Founded in 1927, the NGS has raised more than £25million for charity in the last 10 years.
Last year Norfolk raised more than £65,000 as well as raising additional funds for local charities nominated by the garden owners.
For more information visit www.ngs.org.uk or pick up a guide from your local tourist information centre, garden centre or nursery.
