Time Off - Local Garden Visits Three Devon gardens to visit in September...
Bicton Park Botanical Gardens
Not only a feast for garden lovers, but a day out for the whole family, Bicton Park has managed to move with the times yet retain its historical integrity. From the Italian Garden laid out around 1735, the graceful Palm House that predates Kew’s by 20 years, the Victorian Fernery and Shell House, the Pinetum and Arboretum with over 1000 magnificent trees, to the woodland railway, mini-golf and Countryside Museum, there is something for everyone.
The railway, now the only 18” gauge pleasure railway in the country, takes 25 minutes to wind through the pinetum and past the lake, from the start at Bicton Station to the Hermitage Station near the rustic bower built in 1839, which overlooks waterfalls, ponds and a collection of dwarf conifers.
Bicton Park - a day out for the whole family
Find the Countryside Museum, tracing the history of the estate over 300 years, and in the Tropical House, the Bicton
Orchid, Lemboglossum bictoniense, that first bloomed in 1836. Explore the American and Stream Gardens, wander through the Mediterranean and Rose Gardens, a mixture of modern and 19th century horticulture.
Location: Bicton Park Botanical Gardens, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 7BJ. Open: all year (except Christmas Day & Boxing Day, plus shorter hours in that season), 10am – 6pm, 5pm closing in winter. Admission: £6.95, concessions and children aged 3 – 16, £5.95, under 3s free, dogs £1. Small extras for train rides and mini golf. Guided tours for groups by appointment & at extra cost. Telephone: 01395 568465. Website:
www.bictongardens.co.uk
Langtrees
A plantsman’s garden, Langtrees’ one acre has many southern hemisphere shrubs and tender plant species on a site that has year-round interest. Visitors in spring see the rhododendrons and magnolias, but at this time of year the stars of the show are
the salvias, cannas, ginger lilies and an interesting selection of trees. Structure is given by the landscaping and design features, particularly the stone work.
Langtrees - a true plantsman’s garden
Location: Langtrees, Croyde, Braunton, Devon EX33 1ND. Last opening for NGS this season: 5th September, 2pm – 6pm, but visitors are also welcome any time by making a prior appointment with owners Paul and Helena Petrides. Admission: £3.50, children free. Home made teas, and plants for sale. Park by village hall 200 yards on, not in lane.
Telephone: 01271 890202. Websites:
www.ngs.org.uk and
www.langtrees.info
32 Allenstyle Drive
It may be possible to combine a visit to Langtrees and this garden on Sunday 5th September as they are not far from Barnstaple and open on that day. You will find masses of subtropical planting in this small garden (50 x 100 ft) in its mild estuary location. Plenty of seating provided by owners Steve and Dawn Morgan allows visitors to take time and enjoy the late flowering perennials including rudbeckias set against bananas, tree ferns, cannas and ginger lilies, brugmansias and paulownias. You might need a notebook – or you won’t remember all the impressive rare and colourful plants.
Location: 32 Allenstyle Drive, Yelland, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 3DZ. Open: Sundays 22nd & 29th August, & Bank Holiday Monday 30th August; Sundays 5th & 12th September, 10.30am – 6pm. Admission: £2.50, children free. Light refreshments and teas. Plants for sale. Telephone: 01271 861433. See website:
www.devonsubtropicalgarden.co.uk
ADBLK123_02 Ilminster 170x25:ADBLK123_02 Ilminster 170x25 19/02/2010 16:02 Page 1
Please check with locations or websites before you make a long journey in case there has been any change in opening dates or times.
Odd, but not everyone knows we do home insurance
We do. Call 01460 57901 for a quote or pop into the office to talk to Angela Joy at NFU Mutual Office, Park View, Eaglewood Park, Ilminster TA19 9DQ
Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited. Country Gardener We do right by you 43
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