Two inspiring open gardens in Barnham

Two inspiring gardens will open in Barnham for the National Garden Scheme.

Peter and Alexandra Vining are avid gardeners and illustrators/designers by profession. They completely renovated and redesigned their garden at The Old Rectory after they moved to Barnham in 2018. Work included removing huge amounts of building rubble, adding top soil, returfing and planting. The now, beautifully matured garden has a wide range of colourful plants and trees including salvias, lilies, roses, acers, cypresses and boxes.

Peter said: “We have friends who, in the past, had opened their gardens for the National Garden Scheme. Alex had always wanted a garden to be worthy of the National Garden Scheme and after a visit to our garden and a friendly discussion the NGS team agreed we could open in June 2021. Open days have been very successful and our visitors always show lots of interest and enthusiasm. Our neighbours opposite joined the National Garden Scheme in 2021 so we now have a joint opening.”

In contrast to The Old Rectory John and Ros Woodhead have lived in The Shrubbery for 45 years. The quarter acre garden has seen many changes in design and style over the years from a Good Life style all vegetable garden complete with a chicken coup and greenhouse to its present design with mature trees, shrubs and colourful borders of mixed perennials. They said: “We continue to try new ideas and have something different to surprise our visitors each time we open. We love opening for the National Garden Scheme and look forward to it every year.”

The gardens are open for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4 (10am-4pm). Combined admission for the two gardens is £5, children free. Home-made teas in the garden of The Shrubbery. Pre-booking is essential, please email the owners of either garden to find out more and book a visit. The gardens are also open by arrangement from June 5 to 16 for groups of 6 to 20.

Peter & Alexandra Vining – theoldrectory97@gmail.com findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/42294/the_old_rectory

John & Ros Woodhead johnrosw@sky.com findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/43319/the_shrubbery