Never was the old saying ”be careful what you wish for, you might just get it” more true. I recall ruefully bemoaning the surfeit of Winter and Spring rains with boggy borders and lawns impossible to access. They are not so now! My lawns have no trace of green and my borders have large cracks and are impossible to penetrate. As usual, Spring caused the usual rush of blood to my brain and I bought numerous plants. Alas I now find myself watering three different areas: newly planted including 3 magnolias: bought plants awaiting a return to good planting conditions: and assorted tubs containing specimen plants. Since I am on a meter, I expect a much larger bill than usual, but it will be cheaper than replacing these plants. All other plants remain unwatered and many appear distressed, but will hopefully survive.
Feature image: Eucalyptus leucoxylon ‘Rosea’
With a view to our changing climate, I have gradually been introducing subtropical plants to my garden with considerable success. Most Eucalyptus hardy in the U.K. have white flowers and although pretty in their own right they do not appear as spectacular as the yellow, pink and red flowers which can be seen in Tresco Garden on the Isles of Scilly. Several years ago I raised several species from an online seed firm in Oz. Some variable species disappointingly produced white flowers and were discarded but E. leucoxylon ‘Rosea’ and E. ficifolia both looked promising and made quick growth to 6 feet. E. ficifolia (now known as Corymbia) unfortunately succumbed to ”the Beast from the East” in early 2018 but I intend try again since it is the most spectacular of all. Both plants of E. leucoxylon ‘Rosea’ survived without harm and are now 20+ feet and flower freely. Easy from seed and happy in any well drained soil it flowers from autumn into early winter with red tassel like flowers in dense bunches. My plants have now grown so well that many flower bunches are dislodged by exposure to strong gales and I intend to reduce their heights so that they receive more shelter. Like most Eucalypts, they can recover freely from heavy pruning, and indeed a branch broken off in a gale has sprouted and resumed flowering. Plants are sometimes available from specialist nurseries otherwise seeds can be sought online.
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- Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Rosea'
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- Corymbia (formerly Eucalyptus) ficifolia
Another small tree of a similar ilk, Albizia julibrissin, the Persian Silk Tree is an eastern native from Afghanistan to Korea and hardy throughout the U.K. despite its exotic title. My own plant is a selection called ’Ombrella’ which has indeed formed an umbrella shaped head crowned from June to October with mimosa like foliage, enhanced with dainty pink powder puff flowers from July to September. It is happy in any well drained soil but demands full sun to ripen its wood and given current conditions it is giving a beautiful exotic looking display. It is commonly for sale in nurseries and garden centres, often in the form ‘Summer Chocolate’ which has wonderful chocolate brown foliage which contrasts with the fluffy pink flowers. I have not found this variety as robust as the green leaved form and it has failed in my garden on two occasions.
With summer ending there are still gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme. A chance to see how gardens have coped with the heat and drought and get ideas for more resilient plants to cope with our changing climate.
Froghall Barn
Froghall Barn by Spittal, Haverfordwest is a longstanding family farm which since 2014 has undergone a rewilding project. When planting started in 2017 it was Wales’ largest newly created woodland with 50 acres of broadleaf woodland and small pockets of spruce. A further 20 acres was planned in 2025. Grass and wildflower meadows also feature interspersed with green lanes and more ancient woodland. Sarah Higgon says guided tours are available and of course enjoy views to the Preselis.
Scolton Manor
Why not plan a double visit? Only a mile away and also open on Saturday 5th September is Scolton Manor, Bethlehem set in 60 acres of park and woodland. Prime attraction is the Welsh collection of Salvias with over 60 fabulous varieties. See how these have survived our summer with many for sale at the onsite nursery. A tree nursery also raises endangered native trees from seed for local groups to plant. Other features include a productive walled garden, sculpture trail, bee-keeping centre, play areas and tearoom. A family day out.
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- Salvia turkestanica
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- Salvia 'Nachtvlinder'
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- Salvia gesneriiflora with Verbena x bodnantense
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- Salvia aurita
Blaen-Cwmdu Farm
Blaen-Cwmdu Farm in Maesteg is a Pop-Up garden that has recently joined the NGS openings. Gill Heavens their gardener says:
“Although the garden is still in its infancy, it has come a long way since Gareth and Alison Rees moved here ten years ago. Initially earthworks sculpted the hilly site to improve access to the property, then two large ponds were dug out of the land. The horticultural fun then began. In the last two years an assortment of beds and borders have been created ranging from alpine to fernery, exotic foliage to classic country garden, all enhanced by vintage farm machinery. Wander up through the wildlife meadow to the very top and magnificent views across the valley are the icing on the cake.”
Craig Ogwen
Moving north Craig Ogwen, Bethesda, Gwynedd is the garden of Dan & Sarah Bristow. Dan Bristow is a RHS Chelsea gold medal winning designer. In 2024 he won ‘Best in Show-Plants’ category for his garden ‘The Size of Wales’ which was later re planted at Treborth Botanic Gardens, Bangor. This is a chance to see his private garden, a small but impactful garden featuring bold planting, textural and colour combinations. A ‘living roof’ features huge succulents growing on top. The Ogwen river rushes past the garden boundary, with ancient woodland on the opposite bank. Dan’s plant hunting travels bring unusual plants and ideas. Craig Ogwen demonstrates that a smaller plot is not a limiting factor to creating a fabulous garden!
Highfield Farm
Back south is Highfield Farm in Gwent, a climate resilient gem. Set within 3 acres of majestic Monmouthshire landscape with fabulous views it is planted with over 1400 cultivars. See what has survived the brutal high temperatures, no rain and winds- and, of course what didn’t. If you want to source plants that have thrived and provided colour in the drought just ask garden owners Roger and Jenny Lloyd. Plant sales of specimens from the garden plus live music and home-made teas top off your visit.
Dingle Nurseries And Garden
Dingle Nurseries and Garden set in the rolling hills of mid-Wales near Welshpool is a 4½ acre internationally acclaimed RHS partner garden. The garden was created by the late Barbara Joseph, her vision carried on today by family descendents. The garden is especially well known for its colour-themed and unusual planting which includes lakeside, lawned and mixed bed areas that showcase a wide and unusual range of shrub, tree and herbaceous planting. A sheltered garden, autumn is breathtaking in its beauty. Shrubs and trees can turn colour so slowly and gently, that the very best hues are evident.
The famous adjoining nursery sells a vast range of plants for the garden, including many rare and specimen species. A plant collector’s paradise!
Photo credit: Edward Sitkiewicz
As Summer ends the National Garden Scheme will open applications for 2027 Community Garden Grants between 29th September and 30th October 2026. Do you have a project that might benefit? Check the guidelines and prepare!
Visit: ngs.org.uk/who-we-are/community-garden-grants/
This is just what some of the monies raised by your garden visits enables the NGS to fund.
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
