Now is the time of year when gardens in Norfolk are reaching their summer peak. With warm sunny weather forecast take the opportunity to enjoy the splendours and sights of some truly fabulous new gardens and at the same time help raise much needed funds for the charities that the National Gardens Scheme supports. July brings the interest of a new NGS open garden nearly every week of the month welcoming visitors into them. Garden enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with many other regular gardens open providing a garden trail of interest across the county.

The Bear Shop, Elm Hill, Norwich is opening for the first time for the National Gardens Scheme, the location featured in many famous films. It is open 11 – 4.30, Admission £3 or combined with Strangers Hall £4.50, children free The garden is considered to be based on a design by Gertrude Jekyll, a small terraced garden behind a C15 house in the historic Cathedral Quarter of Norwich.

Four Seasons, Cheney’s Lane, Forncett St Mary makes its debut on Sarurday,10th July, open 11 – 4, admission £4.50, children free. It is a richly planted 2½-acre garden, wide range of herbaceous plants, roses, and trees, many of which are raised here. It is the home of a former nursery. The owners, now retired, have more time to devote to enriching the plantings still further.

Heronsbridge, Bawburgh Road, Marlingford opens with 4 Mill Road on the 11th July. It is open 11 -5 with a combined admission of £4, children free. There is a story to this garden (ask the owner). The River Yare runs the length of the garden, with plenty of wildlife especially the kingfisher. The beds are a mixture of herbaceous perennials and shrubs. There are fruit and other trees, one old ash which is kept for nesting birds and other inhabitants. Gravel drive, small step to grass, slope down to river, some beds at drive level.

Two new gardens open on the 25th July. Dale Farm, Sandy Lane, Dereham opens 11-5, admission £3.50, children free. It is a 2 acre plant person’s garden with spring fed lake. Over 700 plant varieties featured in exuberantly planted borders and waterside gardens. Kitchen garden, orchard, naturalistic planting areas and wood sculptures. Garden completely redesigned in 2007. Gravel drive and some grass paths. Exhibition of natural wood sculptures.

Sharane, Lynn Road, West Rudham opens 11-5, admission £3.50. It is a third of an acre plantsman’s garden, created over several years by enthusiastic owners. Densely planted colourful borders of perennials, hostas, ferns, roses, iris, some exotic plants and grasses, with a collection of over 90 dazzling day lilies. Other features of interest, small pond with wildlife, raised vegetable beds, greenhouses and fruiting bushes and trees.

Norfolk County Organiser Anthea Foster said “Many new gardens open each year, often with another garden nearby. It forms not just a great day out for the garden visitor but gets the whole community involved and raises its profile locally. It encourages gardeners to down their tools and sit on a garden bench in a stranger’s garden while supporting the charities of the National Gardens Scheme.

For more garden days out ideas visit your local Tourist information, garden centre, nursery or open garden to pick up a Norfolk NGS Garden Guide or visit www.norfolkgardens.org.

If your garden is blooming now is the time to contact County Organiser Fiona Black to discuss opening your garden for the NGS. Tel 01692 650247.

Founded in 1927, The NGS has raised more than £25 million for charity in the last 10 years.
www.norfolkgardens.org