Garden variety
THE NATIONAL TRUST HAS OUTDOOR SPACES AND PLANTS TO CAPTURE EVERY IMAGINATION
GARDENS in the care of the National Trust encompass more than 500 years of history and a vast range of garden styles and fashions. With vibrant displays of summer colour emerging, here’s some that you might like to visit over the coming months...
BIDDULPH GRANGE GARDEN Staffordshire
An amazing Victorian garden which was created by horticulturalist James Bateman for his collection of plants from around the world. A visit takes you on a global journey from Italy to the pyramids of Egypt, a Victorian vision of China and a re-creation of a Himalayan glen. The garden features collections of rhododendrons, summer bedding displays, a stunning Dahlia Walk and the oldest surviving golden larch in Britain, brought from China in the 1850s.
GUNBY HALL Lincolnshire
In Lincolnshire, the gardens at Gunby Hall have lots of different areas; from the apple pergola walk to the yellow border, there are many different colours and textures to enjoy. During the summer months, smelling the many roses on display is not to be missed, take in varieties like Chinatown, Arthur Bell and Graham Stuart Thomas with reds Frensham, Wilhelm and Orange Triumph.
WIGHTWICK MANOR Wolverhampton
This beautiful garden was designed to create an emotional response and at this time of year it feels very peaceful and relaxing, with lots of quiet corners and places to spend an hour or so with a book. Roses are a theme across the whole garden, from the main path, which runs past the rose beds, to the formal garden where climbers cover the pergola and herbaceous borders are crammed with colour.
DUDMANSTON Shropshire
Visitors to Dudmaston in Shropshire can explore the enclaves of the American Garden or enjoy the open views over Big Pool. In mid to
Picture: National Trust /Mike Hodgson late summer look out for the Hydrangea paniculata, a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae, which is native to southern and eastern China, Korea, Japan and Russia. It is a large deciduous shrub with ovate leaves and broad panicles of, mostly, showy cream sterile florets which become pink-tinged with age.
ANGLESEY ABBEY Cambridgeshire
At Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire, explore the heady scents of the formal rose garden, the buzz of insects in the wildflower meadows and make colourful memories in the herbaceous garden. Lord Fairhaven designed his garden around personal taste and his regular routine of entertaining guests, with something to show them each season. Today, the gardens follow the same seasonal pattern, with different areas in the 114-acre garden coming into the spotlight each month. From early June to October the rose garden beams with a quintessential English atmosphere, producing a vibrant display of 40 different varieties of rose and a wonderful scent.
WIMPOLE Cambridgeshire
The gardens at Wimpole are well worth a visit. The parterre provides a geometric backdrop to the imposing mansion, the herbaceous borders are filled with colour and the Walled Garden is where we grow produce for our restaurant and cut flowers for the hall. You might even pick up some inspiration for your own garden.
PECKOVER HOUSE Cambridgeshire
Behind Peckover House in Wisbech is one of our more intimate gardens, that has remained largely unchanged since its Victorian heyday.
For over 150 years the family’s love of diverse plants enabled them to nurture the garden as a showpiece for a wide range of horticultural styles. During the summer, over 50 varieties of rose fill the gardens with scent.
Do you have a favourite garden? If you’re planning to visit, please check the property webpage before you travel for opening times and pre-booking information.