We are enjoying the new season's gardening at The Botanic Garden at Wollaton. Open Sundays 2-4pm and Wed/Thu/Fri am if the gate is open.
Our first stop was Tanglewood Cottage in the village of Colwich. This is a large country cottage garden, a previous winner of Stafford in bloom which is described as a garden of peace and tranquillity with an array of wonderful perennials.
Over lunchtime we visited the nearby ‘Secret Garden’. This is a garden created over 25 years with a variety of features including a laburnum tunnel and a raised gazebo with views over Cannock Chase.
Our final stop was St John’s Road. This is a sheltered garden with a Victorian Greenhouse and a haven for wildlife. Plants were for sale in the gardens.
In the morning we set off to the village of Walton a delightful small village near Lutterworth. Three gardens which open together for the Yellow Book opened especially for us. – Orchards, Toad Hall and Sandilands.
Lunchtime was spent at ‘The Garden Barn’, which is a fascinating Garden Centre and farm shop specializing in antique garden related items.
We then spent the afternoon at The Old Stables in Bruntingthorpe, which is a one acre plant lovers garden with packed herbaceous borders, raised alpine beds and a wildlife area.
This outing has been organised following many requests by members. The date coincided with the Wisley Show so there was a lot to see.
This took place on Wednesday 24th July at 6 pm. Ex-member, Doreen Fahey, kindly opened her garden for the HPS. I am sure many people will know her from the coach outings. Sadly, her partner John Arkinstall died earlier in 2013 and Doreen would like to open the garden for us in his memory. All proceeds to the hospice.
The address is Collygate, Swingate, Kimberley NG16 2PS In the past Doreen and John have opened their garden for the yellow book but now bookings are limited to private groups. Doreen and John are described as serious plant addicts and the garden is full of colour and unexpected delights, a peaceful backwater in an urban setting.