The average lawn, left alone
one hundred years, could become
a hardwood forest. An admirable project.
Still I carry on, following week on week
the same mowing pattern, cutting edges,
almost sprinting the last narrow swaths.
Robert Wrigley (b.1951)
At long last the weather seems to be becoming drier and hopefully this will continue. This spring appears to have been one of the wettest on record but conversely also the warmest, certainly the weeds have responded.
One family that loves moist conditions are the hydrangeas, which while often seen facing salt winds and full sun in coastal areas in the form hortensia, nevertheless really excel in light shade and retentive soils. Although the hortensias are deservedly popular for their durability, they are inclined to be muddy coloured and do not appear my garden!
However, I am an enthusiastic grower of several species, which when well grown, can challenge most shrubs for beauty. Excelling in my garden at the moment is Hydrangea ‘Garden House Glory’, a hybrid between H.macrophylla and H.serrata. It has glowing red flowers in a lacecap form which contrast wonderfully with the sterile greyish blue centre. A compact grower to 1.3 metres it is very hardy, needing a retentive soil which I enhance with humus mulches.
Hydrangea paniculata has received considerable attention from hybridists in recent years and cultivars such as ‘Limelight’, ’Phantom’ and my own favourite ’Vanilla Fraise’, are very popular and make spectacular features in the summer garden. They have large cone shaped flowers, at the tip of the new season’s growth. Easy of cultivation, they should be pruned hard in early spring and can be contained to any required size, ultimately becoming very large shrubs if not restrained.
Hydrangea serrata is a small growing species which has been used frequently in hybridisation. I grow a mysterious but beautiful form which I purchased at a West Country garden sale many years ago. It is a metre high and wide and it has small semi double blue flowers in a lace cap form. Whilst it originally had an oriental name it was lost in transit but I have seen similar forms in specialist nurseries.
If I had a larger garden I would certainly try some of the bigger species such as H.aspera, H.sargentiana and H.villosa which given ample room and water, rival any other shrubs in beauty.
At the peak of the gardening season there are a plethora of gardens open under the National Garden Scheme.
Hillcrest
At Hillcrest in Blackwood, Gwent there are 1½ acres of a distinct character which will appeal to all visitors and especially plantsmen. Divided into separate ‘rooms’ there are choices at every turn with a mix of magnificent and unusual trees, interesting shrubs, perennials and annuals. There are well placed seats and quaint little shelters from which to view garden features culminating in the mysterious woodland garden with its fabulous tree collection.
Hillcrest has open days which you can find in our Open Gardens diary and by arrangement visits from April to September which you can find in our Long Term Open Gardens diary.
Penybont
Further north and west, Penybont near Aberystwyth is a carefully designed hillside garden in spectacular countryside with Red Kites and Buzzards above. From July there is a Mediterranean feel with lavender, grapevines and hydrangeas in shades of blue, white and pink plus swathes of crocosmia amongst dark and light leaved acers. A walk up the field of this garden leads to a unique panoramic view of the Ystwyth valley, Roman hillforts and sheep!
Penybont has an open day which you can find in our Open Gardens diary and by arrangement visits from 11 May to 1 Sept which you can find in our Long Term Open Gardens diary.
All photos by Norman Jones
Neuadd y Felin
Located on the site of a C14 watermill, Neuadd y Felin in Carmarthenshire near Ammanford is a large mature garden on a 2 acre smallholding. With sloping perennial beds high summer is the best time to enjoy the rose garden and large dahlia display. An earlier highlight is the 40 foot white wisteria pergola. Mature shrubs and shaded planted areas provide contrast plus wildlife and fish ponds. Walk through the meadow by the willows or by the riverside to a seated area.
Neuadd y Felin has open days which you can find in our Open Gardens diary.
Rose Cottage
Rose Cottage garden (aka Scarecrow Cottage) in Bryncethin, Bridgend Glamorgan is a traditional Welsh working cottage garden of about 1/3 of an acre. Jumbled flower beds mix with a herb yard and seasonal growing of fruit and vegetables plus a polytunnel to extend the growing period. Ideas borrowed from permaculture, no-dig and companion planting help with a self-reliant way of living. Plants are chosen to attract and sustain pollinators. Our summer produce is preserved by making jams, chutneys and cordials plus freezing and bottling. There is a pop-up tea room selling teas, and home-made cakes. The owners conduct tours of the garden and provide advice on fig tree cultivation and pruning. Everything in this garden is either useful or beautiful!
Rose Cottage have open days which you can find in our Open Gardens diary and by arrangement visits from 18 June to 13 Sept which you can find in our Long Term Open Gardens diary.
These are just a few of the many gardens open in Wales for the NGS. Explore the website to find others near you to visit, enjoy & inspire this summer.
Not near where you live? A multitude of other gardens await the visitor to explore on the Garden Events Calendar.
Why not consider joining us? There are lots of ways to get involved with the National Garden Scheme from opening your garden to volunteering and help raise much needed funds for nursing and health charities. You can find out more by visiting ngs.org.uk/get-involved.
NGS Open Gardens
Welsh Country has two NGS open garden sections. The first ‘Open Gardens’ are gardens that are open on specific days and the ‘Long Term Open Gardens’ which are by appointment only. There is a search facility on each page so simply search for a garden name or an area of Wales (i.e. Swansea) you’d like to visit.
Words: Rob Dyer
Pictures: National Garden Scheme, Annette Dyer.
National Garden Scheme: Frances Bowyer
