If I could stay up late no doubt
I’d catch the buds just bursting out;
And up from every hidden root
Would jump a tiny slender shoot;
I wonder how seeds learn the way,
They always know the very day-
The pretty, happy first of May;
If I could stay up then, no doubt
I’d catch the buds just bursting out
Annette Wynne
It doesn’t feel like spring, whatever the calendar says. Every fine day is remorselessly followed by a wet one, it is impossible to weed and tidy the borders and many of those precious plants which demand the ubiquitous ‘well drained soil’ seem to have given up the ghost. Nevertheless there are certain cast iron survivors which, whatever the conditions, perform well in adversity and confirm that spring is actually here.
As the days now lengthen, both in reality and by manipulation of the clock, we can hopefully greet our ‘ironclads’ as forerunners of the floral festival to follow. One such stalwart is Ribes speciosum which has glossy green leaves and bright red fuchsia like flowers which festoon the branches in spring and last a considerable time. Its outward resemblance to gooseberry is obvious but it seldom produces its bristly red gooseberries (I don’t know if they are edible!). Grown against a light coloured wall it is magnificent!
Many cottage gardens grow ‘the flowering current’, Ribes sanguineum, in one of its many forms and it deserves its popularity, providing welcome colour and a cast iron constitution. It has white forms which I do not grow, giving preference to red forms such as ‘Pulborough Scarlet’ and ‘King Edward VII’ and my present favourite ‘Scarlet Pimpernel’. None of them produce ‘currants’ of any quality or number but frost, drought, wind and rain trouble them not.
Both species are of easy cultivation, merely requiring a fertile soil and preferably a sunny situation. Readily available in garden centres, mine flourish with an occasional feed of tomato fertiliser to encourage flowering.
By now, many gardens open under the National Garden Scheme will be welcoming visitors.
House on Stilts
The House on Stilts in Ferryside enjoys a unique location looking out over the Towy estuary to Llansteffan. It has been designed with an artist’s eye, subtle colour palette and sits quietly within its wildlife friendly environment of biodiverse habitats. A large ephemeral pond to the rear and its surrounding bog garden provide interest throughout spring with perennials succeeding as the seasons progress. In complete contrast the drought tolerant front garden has silver foliage planting in sand and gravel, topped by complimentary cockle shells. There are viewing platforms and seating to enjoy the planting and wildlife.
House on Stilts has open days which you can find in our Open Gardens diary and by arrangement visits from 20th July to 14th Aug which you can find in our Long Term Open Gardens diary.
9 Railway Terrace
An old miner’s cottage, 9 Railway Terrace, Bryncethin has a sloping south facing garden, terraced into two levels. There are fruit trees, magnolias and a palm, with herbaceous borders and roses to be enjoyed from a seating area offering uninterrupted views over Coity Common. This garden reflects its cottage garden roots and is maintained sympathetically with upcycling and recycling. The rear is a long narrow strip, largely devoted to fruit and vegetable production and also contains a polytunnel, potting shed and dovecot. Although a small garden, all space is fully utilised!
9 Railway Terrace has an open day which you can find in our Open Gardens diary.
Chapel Gardens
Chapel Gardens, three gardens in Abergavenny open jointly for the first time and are a must see.
The Chain is a 2 acre Victorian walled garden created by award winning garden designer Sarah Price, who designed Horatio’s Garden Wales, one of the health charities the NGS supports. Created with a wide range of habitats for wildlife to thrive it has been gardened experimentally to display the beauty of nature. Habitats include a meadow, sand and gravel plantings, pond areas and both damp and dry shade under mature oaks. Chapel Farm House is a stunning 1 ½ acre garden with an ancient orchard, wildlife pond, wildflower meadow and a new prairie garden with wonderful mountain views. Rock Villa has been developed organically over 25 years, with purple beech hedges, roses and clematis. It is the very essence of a town garden.
Chapel Gardens has open days on 14th & 15th June which you can find in our Open Gardens diary. Pre-Booking Essential.
The Chain
Chapel Farm House
Rock Villa
Forge Village Gardens
Forge Village Gardens near Machynlleth are six riverside gardens on the River Dulas, an area formerly renowned for its many working woollen mills. Bronawel carried the leat for the mills downstream. Glan y Pandy is a former mill site with river views. Glanyrafon belonging to a C19th cottage has been developed as a garden over the last 22 years. Brynglas, a bungalow has been updated with fresh planting since 2022. Bwythyn Cymraeg has been transformed from old mill wasteland demonstrating the challenges of gardening on a steep incline. 1 Bontfaen has colourful pots and salvaged items adding interest to this little plot, shaded by mature trees.
Forge Village Gardens have open days which you can find in our Open Gardens diary.
- Bronawel
- Glan y Pandy
- Glanyrafon
- Brynglas
- Bwthyn Cymraeg
- 1 Bontfaen
Yr Efail
Yr Efail, Tregaron is a 6 acre plot with abundant herbaceous borders and paths leading to hidden areas with seating to savour the views. Formal in design with mixed, vibrant, informal planting and a large wildlife pond. Be inspired by the produce of the sheltered vegetable and fruit garden with greenhouse and polytunnels plus allotment for hardier vegetables. Wander the 4 acre mostly native woodland with woody shrubs and naturalised bulbs. Try the seasonal bilingual Unicorn quiz trail providing amusement and entertainment.
Yr Efail has open days which you can find in our Open Gardens diary and by arrangement visits from 11th Feb to 29th 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.
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
