Hot Summer Gardens on Show in Norfolk

The peak summer holiday season sees four very special plantsman’s gardens opening their garden gates for the National Gardens Scheme in Norfolk.

Each garden has many rare and unusual plants coupled with some fascinating garden designs on view. Visitors will have the opportunity to buy plants selected from the garden displays and to enjoy homemade teas with Chestnut Farm and Furze House also offering light lunches. If you want a musical treat while strolling in a garden then The Reepham ensemble await you at Dunbheagan.

Sunday 7th August 2011

DUNBHEAGAN Dereham Road, Westfield NR19 1QF

Open (12.30-5.30). Adm £3.50, chd free. Home-made teas.

Has one and a half acres of flower garden richly planted for year round interest and reaches a peak with masses of colour into late summer.Over the last few months the garden owners John and Jean Walton have been busy adding even more plants and features to an already action packed garden. The many rare and unusual plants are showcased in, island beds, ponds, rockery, exotic bed, ‘Heaven and Hell’, gravel beds and even a carnivorous bog! Paths/stepping stones invite you to walk through many beds. Beautiful music from Reepham ensemble completes the picture. There is a gravel driveway and access to 90% of garden for the disabled.

2m S of Dereham. From Dereham take A1075 towards Shipdham. Turn L at Premier Food Store/Vauxhall garage (Westfield Rd). At staggered Xrds continue straight ahead down narrow lane. Garden 4th on L. Disabled parking in drive.

SEVERALS GRANGE Holt Road, Wood Norton NR20 5BL

Open (2-5). Adm £3, chd free. Home-made teas.

The gardens surrounding Severals Grange and the adjoining nursery Hoecroft Plants are a perfect example of how colour, shape and form can be created by the use of foliage plants, from large shrubs to small alpines. Movement and lightness is achieved by interspersing these plants with a wide range of ornamental grasses, which are at their best in late summer. In this garden you can see mature plants in garden settings and then buy the same plants in the renowned and well stocked nursery whilst taking advantage of the long experience and comprehensive knowledge of the owners. However a note of caution watch out for the black cat in the nursery he thinks he owns the place and acts like it—you have been warned!!

8m S of Holt, 6m E of Fakenham. 2m N of Guist on LH-side of B1110. Guist is situated 5m SE of Fakenham on A1067 Norwich rd

 

Saturday 20th August and Sunday 21st August 2011

FURZE HOUSE Harleston Road, Rushall, Diss IP21 4RT

Open (10-6). Adm £3.50, chd free. Light refreshments & Home-made teas.

New to the NGS this year is a 2-acre plantsman’s garden with herbaceous and shrub borders displaying cottage style planting in profusion. Lawned paths flow around many new island beds, incorporating established specimen trees, intensively planted with unusual shrubs, special perennials. Established, informal wildlife pond and a large alpine scree area with a water feature flowing through.

There are 2 large polytunnels protecting tender and special specimens. A rose pergola, vegetable and fruit gardens complete the picture.

Philip Greenacre said “Our first open days in June raised over £800 for the vital caring and nursing charities supported by the National Gardens Scheme so we hope to raise even more money for the charities on the 20th and 21st August. Among our visitors in June was the retired Curator of The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew who was impressed with the range of unusual and rare plants we have in the garden. Many people also enjoyed our ploughman’s lunches which we will be providing again”

2m W of Harleston. A140 to Dickleburgh Village, turn R at church, then 3m on L. A143 Harleston r’about to Diss. Turn R Upper Harman’s Lane, turn L at T-junction, 1st house ½m on R.

Sunday 21st August 2011

CHESTNUT FARM Church Road, West Beckham NR25 6NX

Open (11-5). Adm £4 chd free. Light refreshments & Home-made teas.

See a garden and small arboretum with many new and exciting plants, shrubs and bulbs abound There is also an herbaceous border and a small but interesting collection of Aroids and Pinellias. Wheelchair access weather permitting.

2½m S of Sheringham. Mid-way between Holt & Cromer. 1m S off the A148 at the Sheringham Park entrance. Sign post indicates ‘By Rd to W Beckham’. Chestnut Farm located behind the village sign. Lots of free parking.

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