Showtime for gardeners
28/02/2008
Snowdrops have already poked their heads through my somewhat sodden soil, showing their cheery little faces and signalling an end, we hope, to the miserable winter we’ve been experiencing. Like all good gardeners I look forward to a period of intense activity but I can always find time to poke my nose into other people’s gardens – in the interests of research that is.
From January to March, 100 Gardens open to the public under The National Gardens Scheme, will take part in the annual Snowdrop Openings - presenting us all with the perfect opportunity for a bit of early season fact finding. And we’ll be helping good causes too - with the openings expected to raise more than £100,000 for charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Crossroads - Caring for Carers.
The openings have proved a highly popular attraction in the past, and this year is expected to be no different. Valerie Caldwell, deputy chief executive of the NGS, said: “Our snowdrop openings are really popular, attracting more than 35,000 people. They’re a great fundraiser.”
From sprawling woods to romantic cottage gardens, it’s the perfect way to gain gardening inspiration and to while away an afternoon. Highlights include the gardens of a 15th Century moated manor house and adjoining parish church in Wiltshire; the spectacular 250 acre Surrey estate, Gatton Park, which was landscaped by “Capability” Brown in the 1760s and boasts extensive woodlands, grasslands and formal gardens; a group opening of three neighbouring country gardens in Dolton, Devon; and an organic woodland garden in Gloucestershire with panoramic views, three ponds and a waterfall.
Many of the gardens boast mass snowdrop displays, with some - such as Little Cumbre in Exeter, Devon - having over 30 different varieties.
Galanthus nivalis, also known as the Garden Snowdrop, is the most common snowdrop variety, but other common varieties include Giant Snowdrop, Sam Arnott, Flore Pleno and Viridapicis. Many of the gardens will also have fine displays of Crocus, Hellebores, Cyclamen and Aconites.
Admission charges range from £2.00 to £4.00, with around 80% of the money going to charity. For more information or to view the full list of garden openings throughout the year log on to www.ngs.org.uk. The
2008 Yellow Book, which costs £7.99, is now available for pre-order for dispatch in early February by visiting the NGS website. Their telephone number is 01483 211535.
The NGS raises nearly £2 million a year for charity. Other charities which benefit include Help the Hospices, The Queen’s Nursing Institute, The Royal Fund for Gardeners’ Children, NGS gardeners’ careership (the National Trust) and Perennial – Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society. Founded in 1927, the NGS has donated more than £15 million to charity in the last 10 years.
Looking ahead let’s not forget the RHS shows that will soon kick off the gardening calendar, starting with the royal Horticultural Flower Show at Bute Park, Cardiff Castle from 18-20 April 08, closely followed by the Malvern Spring Show held at the Three Counties Showground at the foot of the picturesque Malvern Hills from 8-11 May 2008. These two shows have the feel of a county show in that they have a relaxed quality about them.
The jewel in the crown of the RHS Shows has to be the Chelsea Flower Show which runs from 20-24th May 2008, photos of which, together with the details of the Gold Medal winners as well as my favourite gardens, will appear in the June edition. For a full listing of the RHS shows in 2008, visit www.rhs.org.uk.